John Bones ( Blues Harp, and vocals )
Gail Bones ( vocals, tambourine )
Mike Philip ( Bass, vocals )
Gary Brewer (acoustic, dobro, lead, rhythm guitar )
Ron Cole ( drums, cajon )
Bob Westgate ( sound )
Band Website : http://www.livebluesworld.com/profile/DrBonesBluesProject
Influences
Darrell Mansfield, Blind Boys of Alabama, Eric Claption, Staple singers, The Mighty Jeremiahs, Glenn Kaiser, First Born Live, Eric Bibb, JJ Cale...all traditional blues.
Sounds Like
Our own approach to Gospel Blues.... sweet shuffles, soulful ballads, and joyful jump blues with an occasional edgy feeling.
Psalm 33:1, " Good people, cheer God! Right-living people sound best when praising.
Use guitars to reinforce your Hallelujahs!
(Eugene Peterson's, The Message )
The Dr. Bones Blues Project is Victoria’s own (and probably only) gospel blues band. Inspired after attending the 2007 “Back to the Gospel Blues” Festival in Chilliwack, John and Gail Bones formed the band after a “God-incidental” meeting with old friend, Ron Cole, a blues-loving drummer who knew some equally passionate gospel blues guitar players. After several months of hosting an informal praise evening at a local church, the band found its niche playing regularly at the Mustard Seed Street Church outreach dinners for low income and homeless folks in Victoria. After only 6 months of playing together, the band was invited to perform at the 2008 “Back to the Gospel Blues” Festival, with many of the artists that fostered its initial interest in this genre.
Since then, Dr. Bones has evolved its sound and begun performing its own songs, such as Emmaus Road, I Was There, Forty, and Living Water, all of which use the blues to spread the Gospel message. It has also added to its song bank music from such diverse artists as Kaiser and Mansfield, Blind Boys, Tom Waits, Ruthie Foster, Larry Howard and Ian Siegal. Dr. Bones continues a monthly gig at the Mustard Seed Street church, bringing its music to the homeless and low income folks, and being totally blessed in return. These folks live the blues most days and appreciate what we do- “blues redemption” through the Gospel of Jesus.
The band has been praying for opportunities to expand its music ministry to include the region’s prisons, and has been blessed in giving concerts for the inmates at William Head Penitentiary (July), Ferndale and Mission Penitentiaries (October). The Dr Bones Blues Project features Gary Brewer (acoustic, dobro, rhythm, lead guitar), Mike Philip (bass), Ron Cole (drums, cajon), Gail Bones (vocals) and John Bones (blues harp, vocals). It's been wild how God continues to bless and lead this “blues project.” Because this is His band, may all the Glory go to Him.
On behalf of the Band, thanks for dropping by...hope you enjoyed the music. Oh, yah...Dr Bones Blues: “God’s prescription for what really ails ya.” Grace, Peace...in the radical scandalous unending Love of Jesus. Below are video clips from the 2009 Saanich Agricultural Fair and the 2009 Back to the Blues Festival July 31st-August 2nd...We highly recommend the B2B Festival it is an awesome weekend of hospitality and fellowship filled with great gospel blues. Watch here for next years details, mark your calendars and join us.
the Dr. Bones Blues Project's Friend Space (Randomized)
The Project with Glen Warner ( center ) just before heading back to the island after playing at the Ferndale and Mission Penitentiaries. It was an awesome weekend of hospitality, conversations and laughs with Glen and Heather. It was a weekend in which Matthew 25:34-36 came to life in a big way. It was a weekend in which Jesus ministered to both the inmates and the band. In the fellowship of Jesus, both guest and host are blessed. The hospitality of Jesus is wide open...radical, scandalous and unending in Love.
