DON CONRAD - Lead Vocals, Percussion.
TIM CLONINGER - Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar.
BRIAN LEWIS - Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar.
TAD HOUGH- Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Harmonica.
DAVE COSTNER - Backing Vocals, Drums, Vocoder.
Influences
Jimmy Buffett, Firefall, America, UB40, Garland Jeffreys, Jim Croce, Mac McAnally, David Allan Coe, Club Trini, The Foo Fighters, Robert Greenidge, The J. Geils Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sachmo, Boz Scaggs, Pablo Cruise, Delbert McClinton and maybe a little Bootsy's Rubber Band when we feel the groove move us in that direction.
Proud recipient of GIGMasters coveted 5-Star rating.
Covering most recognizable Jimmy Buffett songs and many of the others that you've never heard, these Charlotte NC musicians hate being pigeon-holed as just another Jimmy Buffett Band - but, as a famous spinach-eating sailor once said, "I yam what I yam". However, in addition to the Buffett favorites, Blind Manifest also plays plenty of other great tunes as well, including many popular Trop Rock originals.
Blind Manifest is...
Don Conrad has been singing since the womb. Tried as a kid to play the drums for a band but quit to be a choir boy. He sang some opera, jazz, rock etc. while in school and 'Rode' a vocal scholarship on the 5 year plan at UNC-Charlotte. Recorded a couple CD's too. Got a call from his old buddy Tad needing to "borrow" his bass - he delivered it & started singing that very night! Audition? He don't need no stinkin' audition! Of course we won't let Don play his bass anymore, but he does get to bang some skins and shake his moneymaker!
Tim Cloninger is a born native of Gastonia, NC (God help him) who has been playing lead guitar since he was 10. We're still waiting for him to get the hang of it. His claim to fame was starting a regional beach band in the early 90's with a friend (who shall remain nameless, wink wink) named Coming Up Brass. Where is the fame, you ask? According to Tim, CUB was privileged to be the backup band for Mr. Archie "Tighten Up" Bell. Some photoshopped pictures are nearby to prove this (Heh!). Tim has also played with The Entertainers as well as the Mink Band and was a hired gun for other bands on a beg and I'll see basis. He comes out of semi-retirement from the music biz just to play with Blind Manifest. Isn't he special? "I keep trying to give up this bad habit, but people keep pulling me back in!" says Tim. Says Us: "Don't give up just yet Timmy!"
Brian Lewis can do a little bit of everything, but not a whole bunch of nothin'. Playing the bass since childhood, Brian "played" Industrial music in college with a bunch of mohawked freaks while the audience threw-up on themselves. "Hey, it was a blast, and it came with a bunch of PERKS". Okay Brian, we get the drift. Most recently Brian has been heard on Radio Margaritaville (pre-Sirius) with his own show "The Carolina Tailgate Party" which featured regional acts doing live gigs. Too bad Sirius had to spoil the Party.
Tad Hough came our way via every possible venue and band in the tri-state area. He tickles the ivories of his double-decker set of Korg Triton's on beaches, boats, bars and brothels with the best of 'em. Remember the George Hatcher Band? (time to Google) Well that was Tad on 'Coming Home'. Our own Don Conrad's first album? That's Tad too. Tad plays in other bands besides Blind Manifest? - you bet! He is indeed a jack of all trades. Bonus: He still has a cool set of Rock 'n Roll whiskers!
Dave Costner has been tapping on stuff since he was a kid. Nervous habit? Yep. Ativan? Nope. He likes the edge. Dave brings his spurious technical knowledge and years & years of self-taught mistakes (which have been rehearsed to perfection) to the otherwise tolerable Blind Manifest Backline. We found him on the sidewalk after a gig with a sign around his neck: "Will drum for beer". Oy. You get what you pay for, right guys?
Rodger Harrison: our Founder! Rodger is now a guest-member of Blind Manifest, since he has taken permanent residence in sunny Copan Ruinas, Honduras. Rodger is a singer-trubadour extraordinaire from the Charlotte, North Carolina area who has had a long and distinguished career as a barstool warmer at some of the best dives between Cape Hatteras and Biloxi. He recorded a regional hit record in the '80's when Jim and Tammy Bakker were caught-up in scandal. 'The PTL Song' made the Billboard charts for a short time, at least that's how he recalls it. "It's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!" Rodger still sits in with us when visiting from the Banana Republic, so who knows - you might get to hear him next time you hear us!
Just stopping by to let you know about the FREE SHOW we're putting on at the Neighborhood Theatre here in Charlotte on July 11th...yep, FREE...it's part of our "economic stimulus package"...we're happy to be playing at home again and we wanted to invite you to the party...oh, and did we mention it's FREE...we're bringing our friends American Aquarium and Horse Ghost for the fun as well, so we're sure that it's going to be one heck of a foot-stompin' night...so come on out!!!
Hope you're doing well, and we're looking forward to seeing soon
Hey Brian and Band~ When do we get invited to a "gig"??? I like the page and love the song playing, is that your song? hit me back! Take it easy and give Chase a hug for me!
HAHAHA HA HAHAH 10,000 views SUCKAS loll You had better catch up ;) Page looks preety straight jacket crazy though And Im probably going to get a pick-up put in my guitar so I can jam out with you guys more easily next time!! WOoo later....tater.. hahaha that rythmes skills, billz
Oh, Blind Manifest! Cheers! Delighted at your wonderful comment at our corner of the world -- problems with HTML and we were instructed to delete your well-written, thoughtful, energetic and well-spelled message! (We ARE impressed by good grammar as well!) All is now well! It had nothing to do with you and no way to retrieve your message. Checked out your photos. You guys are way too good looking. Can you photoshop down a little?
Stop by again and lend your Wit. Failing that, I be a Pirate Twit!
Mad Charlotte PS Check out our photos from Sat. FUN!
Friday, December 28th at The Evening Muse, 8:00 PM The Lights, Flourescent will open the show, which will air on local television in the Spring courtesy of Kool Kat Ken. Get your CD at the door and save $2! Hope to see you there!
Hey! You've gotta come listen to the song Miss Difficult on our page! Please comment us to tell us what you think of it. Thank you for your support & for helping to spread the word about Cowboy Crush! www.cowboycrush.com
Hello there good people of Blind Manifest. Thanks for stopping by and for tossing a comment our way. Glad you're digging the tunes. Cool stuff on your page as well. You can find our debut CD up on iTunes or thru cdbaby.com Have a kick ass weekend!
