The A Team:
Thomas Champagne- (guitar, electric bass, vocals)
Danny Anderson- (electric lead guitar, vocals)
Nick Nolden- (bass, upright bass, vocals)
Carlos Lopez- (drums, vocals)
Additional Artists:
Johnathon Chaney - (guitar, slide)
Shad Dougherty - (guitar)
James Pallone - (guitar, vocals)
Matt Mueling - (guitar)
Jeff Botta - (drums)
Brandon Aly - (drums)
Thomas Mann - (keys)
Nick Chambers - (drums and vocals)
Scott Long- (percussion, steel drums, vocals)
Influences
Music from tomorrows listening ears
Sounds Like
Funky rootsy, reggae music served up on a full platter at an all you can eat discotech. Hook friendly lyrics with a get up and shake something loose back beat.
Ranked Number 18 in Hightimes Magazine for the Pot 40 for August 2009
Whether they're playing a smoke filled bar in the middle of nowhere or on the steps of the Texas State Capitol, this Texas born band brings the funk no matter what. With smooth sounds ranging from reggae to rock, Champagne With Friends is sure to get any crowd on their feet. Based on the songwriting style of Gulf Coast native Thomas Champagne, this usually four member combo has audience’s young and old shaking the dance floor. With a strong Cajun jazz and funk foundation, layered with the sounds of the islands, Champagne with Friends is sure to energize any evening.
Born in the middle of mosquito country on the "Right Side of Texas" or Beaumont as they call it, Thomas Champagne grew up with the best of both worlds, Texas Pride and a Cajun Spirit. Hitting the stage by the age of 14, Thomas' musical roots were formed on piano, bass, and drums. While attending Texas A&M University in the mid 90's, Thomas formed a funk-rock quartet known as 4D2 and began playing throughout the state as the bassist and vocalist. Around the turn of the century, Thomas moved back to his hometown and starting performing bass with the Folsom Creek, a rock/bluegrass mix. After a great run of shows and a new album weeks from hitting the shelf, the group folded and out of disappointment and depression, Thomas discovered his true songwriting style, funky reggae. For the first time ever, Thomas took the stage as the front man forming his own band, Audioflava, a jazz/funk/pop entity that evolved into an electric power trio featuring Danny Anderson on guitar and Carlos Lopez on drums. Audioflava and Thomas moved to Austin, TX where he started working at Arlyn and Pedernalis Studios. After a few years in Austin, Danny and Thomas decided it was time to hit the road and began touring the states as a duo, Champagne Anderson. With such a great success on the road as a duo, Thomas and his friends headed to the studio in the Fall of 2007 to complete their long awaited album, "Old Town", and hence form the group, "Champagne with Friends". Along with fellow Beaumontians, Nicholas F. Nolden and Danny Anderson, and the “Monster” himself on the drums, Mr. Carlos Lopez, Champagne with Friends have been steadily touring the states, shaking the stage, and spreading their good word.
NEW CD and Mp3s Now Available!!!!!!
You can also purchase a copy at any of the following locations:
Rock N' Robin's 804 S. College Ave, Ft. Collins, CO 80524 (970) 221-9977
Natural Sound 3500 Central Av SE, Albaquerque, NM 87106 (505) 255-8295
Ralph's Records 1601 University Ave, Lubbock, TX 79401 (806) 763-6400
Sunrise Records in Beaumont, TX
Hastings in Kearney, NE
Hastings in Laramie, WY
Independent Records in Denver, Co
Independent Records in Colorado Springs, CO
Thanks for the Add Guys! I see where you r playing The Pickled Okra in Cleveland this month. Check out my guys band Eves Addict. We r playing there this Friday Nite...Thanks Again and Party on!!!!Vicky
Thanks guys for treking out to Midland! We enjoyed it. Check out the new site www. livemidlandtexas. com - we loaded one of your songs on the homepage. We had 75,000 hits yesterday!
