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It all started in the Fall of 1980 with this simple advertisement in the ‘Gustavian Weekly’: “Bass Player seeks Drummer, Guitars, Keyboards, and Vocals for working Rock Band. Interested parties contact Dan (Nando) Hernandez”. In hindsight, it’s a good thing my friends Dan (Squinty) McGinty (Drums) and Jeff (Coops) Cooper (Lead Guitar/Vocals and the occasional Harmonica) ignored the “working Rock Band” part and answered the ad anyway! The following summer the band expanded to include Steve (Spunky) Schultz (Rhythm Guitar/Keyboards/Vocals), Mike (Wally) Walstrom (Lights, Sound, and all-around Band Repair Dude), and the outstanding voice of the lovely Ms. Ann Hagerty (Lead Vocals/Keyboards and Mistress of Assorted Percussion Toys). Thus are the humble beginnings of the band now known as “Vi’s Gravy”.
A night with Vi’s Gravy centers around danceable Classic Rock (The Beatles, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, etc.) and Blues-Based Rock (Susan Tedeschi, Kenny Wayne Shepard, The Blues Brothers, The Commitments, etc.). Of course, we have to mix in some Country (Johnny Cash, Big & Rich, etc.) or Spunky gets upset! Sometimes the songs are straight-forward covers. Other times we’ll pour on a bit of Gravy and change it up a bit. (The Gravy version of “Some Kind of Wonderful” would make Grand Funk stand up and cheer!) In any case, you’re in for a night of savory music and great fun!
If there is a single statement to summarize the group, it is this: “Vi’s Gravy is a group of long-time friends that happen to be damn good musicians”. So, the next time you want to step out and have a great time, look us up. And remember, you can never have too much of Vi’s Gravy!
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