Member Since: 20/03/2007
Band Website: www.thecaribbeancowboys.com
Band Members:
Steve Weams, (rhythm guitar, vocals) founder, leader & booking agent of the Caribbean Cowboys. Steve has been entertaining people around the Southeast for over 18 years and is especially adept at getting audiences to participate in the party-at-hand. When you arrange for the Caribbean Cowboys as your entertainment-of-choice you can be sure that Steve will have everyone up and moving! When not playing music, Steve works on the coaching staff at Enka High School, coaching Enka Jets Football & Sugar Jets Softball. Steve graduated with a Masters Degree (in Physical Education & a minor in History) from Western Carolina University, where he also played baseball and soccer and was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Steve resides in South Asheville with his wife Gail and their black lab "Spooner".Mike Rothacker laying down the bottom end on the bass guitar, and on vocal harmonies, he provides the foundation on which the Cowboys music is built. Mike’s 20+ years of professional playing & recording along with Jack’s grooves makes the Cowboys "rhythm section" one of the most versatile & impressive you are likely to hear. Mike resides in Oteen, NC.Jack Nitterauer (perccussion, vocals) lays down the back-beat for the Caribbean Cowboys. In great demand as a percussionist, Jack’s dedication & professionalism are well-known & his ability on drums & vocals are an invaluable contribution to the whole package that is...the Caribbean Cowboys! Jack also works as the Music Director at his church, Outside the music field, Jack works at Haywood Regional Medical Center. He resides in East Asheville with his wife and three children.Mike Barnes (lead guitar, vocals) is probably the most proficient musician of the Caribbean Cowboys. Also in great demand locally as a studio guitarist and instructor. Mike is on the faculty at the University of North Carolina in Asheville, teaching music, where he received a B.A. degree in music graduating with honors. He has also served on the Appalachian State University music faculty. Mike teaches individual lessons at Musicians Workshop in Asheville, NC. Mike’s musical influences have been John McLaughlin, Duane Allman from the Allman Brothers Band, Jeff Beck, who was with The Yard Birds, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimmy Hendrix. Mike also likes great jazz. Mike began playing the guitar in 1971 & first studied classical guitar with Jerry Young & then moved on to Jazz and other styles of music. A few of the bands during junior high & high school included Warren Haynes now of Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band. After graduating from Asheville High School in 1978 he then attended the University of Miami and was enrolled as a Studio Jazz major. From Miami, Mike then formed a group with Grammy award winner, Elliot Wadopian (now of The Paul Winter Concert) and toured the southeast . After a year or so of touring Mike then enrolled at Musician’s Institute in California in 1980 & graduated in 1981. During his time at MI he studied with some of the world’s finest guitarists & musicians, such as, Pat Martino, Robben Ford, Joe Diorio, Howard Roberts and Howard Alden to name a few. He was chosen by Tommy Tedesco to perform a solo on the Musician’s Institute graduating class album. After graduation Mike played in groups & performed studio work in & around the Los Angeles area & soon went on the road again performing all over the U.S. & Canada. Mike has worked as a session guitarist and performed in recording studios in L.A., Memphis, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Jacksonville, etc. He was signed as a recording artist for Polygram Records & Geffen Records and some of his work has been featured on shows such as Star Search, various T.V. commercials, and also on MTV with The Rock City Angels. He has had publishing deals with Cherry Lane Music & has performed & shared the stage with such artists as John Scofield, Greg Allman & The Allman Brothers, Maynard Ferguson, Jimmy Page, The Black Crowes, Branford Marsalis, Johnny Neel, Jeff Coffin, John Popper, Jeff Sipe, Jimmy Herring, Toy Caldwell, Col. Bruce Hampton, Joan Jett, The Georgia Satellites, Derek Trucks and Joe Walsh to name a few. Mike has played locally with numerous bands, including Dixie Deluxe, Praying for Rain & shares the stage each year with Warren Haynes at the Annual Holiday Jam in Asheville.
Watch for Mike’s inspiring licks on the guitar!
Influences: Jimmy Buffett, Music of the 60's and 70's as it is the most diverse. This is evident in live performances, providing something for everyone! In recent years, Peter Mayer & The Peter Mayer Group ... "The best music on the planet"
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