Blake Everist - Bass/Vocals Bob Simonson - Drums Rick Meadows - Guitar
Influences
A whole slew of them including Albert King, SRV, Albert Collins, Freddie King, BB King, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, T-Bone Walker, Duke Robillard & Roomful of Blues, Robben Ford, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Winter, Jimmy Rogers, Howlin Wolf, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Robert Cray, Hollywood Fats, Miles Davis, Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield, Brian Setzer, Magic Sam, Bill Perry, Sean Costello, Cream
Sounds Like
Texas Blues, Blues Rock. If you love Blues we do a wide variety of Texas and Chicago Blues. We even throw in a few ZZ Top and Jimi Hendrix tunes.
TEXAS GROOVE is a Texas Blues / Blues Rock band from Springfield, IL. Formed in 2006 this trio features bassist/vocalist Blake Everist, drummer Bob Simonson and guitarist Rick Meadows. While the central Illinois market for blues is limited, TEXAS GROOVE sticks to it’s guns and plays a variety of blues including everything from Elmore James to Stevie Vaughan. You will also hear an assortment of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and ZZ Top. The members of TEXAS GROOVE have played with countless other bands that would probably take the rest of this page to list. All you really need to know is this band is experienced and is dedicated to performing the blues. TEXAS GROOVE plays predominantly in the central Illinois area.
BOB SIMONSON-Drums
Bob was added to Texas Groove in 2007. He is a veteran musician possessing a bachelors degree in music from Roosevelt University in Chicago and an MBA Degree from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI. Bob has been a professional musician for more than 25 years. He has experience performing in a variety of venues including blues, country, and southern rock bands. In 1990 he also played with a blues band who had the honor of being the opening act for Buddy Guy in Marquette, MI. After that, Bob traded this fun ride of clubs and gigs and late nights for a more secure day job gig in the business world. That was successful, but after moving to Springfield, IL in the summer of 2005, Bob started sitting in at the Blue Monday jam sessions at The Alamo. Bob states, " I had no chops and cramped hands at first, but then it all came together for me, and I started playing in the pocket and finding that groove that really is the total essence of playing the blues. Then I started jamming and performing with Rick and Blake, who look at things the way that I do, and everything just fell into place. We have all the elements of blues, barrelhouse, boogie, great singing, personality, and a great back beat". Bob enjoys being the blues heartbeat of Texas Groove.
RICK MEADOWS – Guitar
Rick, the originator of Texas Groove, has been playing for over 25 years. After studying many styles of music including rock, jazz, country and classical, Rick found his heart and home in the Blues. “Playing the blues is all about feeling. You take what’s inside and let it come out, sometimes without control, through your instrument.” After taking a few years off to start a family, Rick realized that playing again was inevitable. “Music has a way of becoming a part of life. You can’t deny it. It inspires you, drives you, motivates you and at the same time humbles you.” Rick loves the tone of vintage amplifiers (especially fender) and currently uses a variety including a 50’s tweed fender deluxe, 70’s silverface fender deluxe reverb, 70’s silverface fender super reverb, Dr. Z Maz 18 Junior and his prized 1962 Brown Fender Pro. States Karen Marshall of Springfield , IL, “Rick’s sounds are fresh and strong and when you hear him play it makes you feel alive.” Rick enjoys the challenges and freedom of a trio format and gives Texas Groove a distinct and powerful sound.
BLAKE EVERIST – Bass, Vocals
Blake is a firsthand blues performer and veteran musician with over 40 years of playing and vocal experience. His style has evolved while playing with many different bands throughout the Springfield area. Blake brings a wealth of talent to the group and enhances every performance by putting his own blues style into each song. Speaking about the blues Blake states “I didn’t find the blues, they found me. You know everyone has them, that’s a part of the human condition. Without knowing the blues you can’t really know happiness. The blues are an American original art form and I give thanks to all of those great performers who came before me.” Blake’s bass playing skills and vocals pulls all the elements of Texas Groove together and his energy and stage style is infectious.
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