The Vincent Hayes Project profile picture

The Vincent Hayes Project

"I like what you guys do!" -Steve Miller

About Me

Led by guitarist/vocalist Vincent Hayes, and packing one of the tightest rhythm sections in Michigan, The Vincent Hayes Project is a high-energy, experimental blues band on the rise. In addition to being veterans of the Michigan Blues Festival circuit, the band has become one of John Sinclair’s backing bands of “Blues Scholars” on his recent tours of Michigan in 2007. In both 2006 and 2007 they traveled to Memphis, TN as one of 130 semi-finalists in the world in the Annual International Blues Challenge on Beale Street, which is sponsored by The Blues Foundation. They have been invited to open for a growing list of national headliners such as The Steve Miller Band, Joe Bonamassa, Frank Bang’s Secret Stash and more. Additionally, Vincent’s solo disk, “Things Just Got Worse”, and the band’s 5 song EP, “2.09” have been featured weekly on WGVU 88.5 FM & 95.3 FM for the past seven years. The VHP is currently working with Glen Brown Productions (Chuck Berry, Larry McCray, Kid Rock, Sista Otis, Eminem, Root Doctor) and preparing material for their debut CD of original material, slated for release in early 2008.What makes this group unique is its raw power coupled with subtle dynamics and versatility. The VHP is founded on the Blues, but still manages to find the blues within other musical genres, drawing inspiration from a wide array of backgrounds in funk, reggae, soul, jazz, gospel, rock, Motown, and American folk, as all of these genres essentially trace their lineage to the Blues. The goal is to make good music-whatever that may be.......“From one chord change to another, anything with passion and vision moves Vincent Hayes as he leads his two other band members through the corridors of his creative spirit. The Vincent Hayes Project is a pared down three-piece mercurial blues band, churning with the raw grit of the blues yet nimble enough to follow the most feral of Hayes’ spontaneous improvisations. For those who have had their fill of raucous blues shuffles, the Vincent Hayes Project brings their own personal blend of blues; a culmination of Hayes’ eclectic tastes, expressively cranked out from fierce guitar licks. Combine that with a veteran bassist (Dave "The Butcher" Alves, who Hayes describes as "indispensable") and a guru of groove on drums (Donny Hugley) and you’ve got an explosive blues experience waiting to be lit.”-Jonas Greenberg, Lansing City Pulse

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/19/2006
Band Website: vincenthayes.com
Influences: BB King, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, John Lennon, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Prince, U2, Sonny Boy Williamson, T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, MC-5, Black Crowes, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Jack Kerouac, Alan Ginsberg, Martin Luther King, George Clinton, P-funk & Parliament, Chuck Berry, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, SRV, Albert King, Freddie King, Tommy Mc Clennan, William Clarke, Otis Rush, Otis Spann, Robert Johnson, Canned Heat, Zeppelin, John Mayer, Rod Piazza, Booker T., Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Jimmie Stagger, Elmore James, Tommy Castro, Earth Wind & Fire, Buddy Holly, The Ventures, CSNY, The Verve, Richard Ashcroft, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Jeremy Spencer, John Mayall, Roy Orbison, Otis Spann, Jimmy F'in Reed, Angus Young, Rocky Balboa, 70's Kung Fu Movies, Neil Schon, David Gray, Elvis Presley, Tower of Power, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Bootsy Collins, Peter Tosh, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, John Coltrane, The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, Tom Petty, Jaco Pastorious, Pearl Jam, Morris Day, Pilgrim Jubilees, David Honeyboy Edwards, Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf, Lenny Kravitz, Sly & The Family Stone, Groovespoon, Johnny Johnson.
Sounds Like: /www.youtube.com/v/8Ic74tQ2bNM&hl=en" ..
Record Label: Independent
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Detroit Blues Challenge & John Sinclair

Well, we found another blues society who is still in the running for the 2008 International Blues Challenge. The Detroit Blues Society has held 8 round of semi-finals, and we managed to get accepted i...
Posted by The Vincent Hayes Project on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 08:46:00 PST

Two Genres Collide...You Decide

Ok, blues fans, dig on this............Recently, my friend and musical associate, Michael Alan emailed me from his apartment in NYC asking if I'd be interested in collaborating with him on a few proje...
Posted by The Vincent Hayes Project on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:24:00 PST

Video Clips from Blues City Cafe During IBC

Donny Hugley (drums), Dave "The Butcher" Alves (Bass) from The Vincent Hayes Project and Lenny (guitar) From Mighty Lester Band @ Blues City Cafe on Friday, February 2, 2007 after the 2007 IBC Semi-fi...
Posted by The Vincent Hayes Project on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 04:36:00 PST

International Blues Challenge 2007

    So, here I was this morning, eyes glazed over like a good warm donut, reflecting on last night's Memphis or Bust II fundraiser for our trip to the IBC in February, and I realized th...
Posted by The Vincent Hayes Project on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 08:16:00 PST