After the lamented breakup of the original Bluescasters, out of the ashes of that
illustrious collaboration, founder/drummer Steve Shive has reformed the band with
his daughter, the fantastic Brooke Shive in the lead vocal spot. They are now
Brooke Shive & The 45’s! Rounding out the new band is original guitar player, the great Randall Thompson, along with new bassist extraordinaire Bobby Sandor, and keyboard artist, the phenomenal Bill Levinson. The band will be performing original material from the original self-titled Bluescasters album, along with a completely revamped list of their favorite tunes by other writers, artists and friends, including but not limited to Delbert McClinton, Jagger and Richards, Billy Goodman, Phil Seymour, Grace Potter, Etta James and Don Robey. The band is not a traditional blues band. They play the songs they perform in their own groove oriented style, and they lay down a solid foundation for one of the truly gifted and up and coming vocalists singing today. With a mix of blues, soul, rock, R&B and groove, audiences cannot sit still for this band! Currently, Brooke Shive & the 45’s are in the midst of writing and recording their debut album, Waiting in Line, set to be released in late 2008 on their own record label, Big Boy Records.
The story begins with the dreams of drummer Steve Shive. Throughout his career as a sideman and session player for artists such as Tim Moore, Daryl Hall, Kingfish, Jimmy Jamieson, Robbie Dupree and producers Ken Scott, Joe Hardy and Tom Marolda, Steve had always harbored a love for the blues. After a 10-year hiatus from the music business Steve could no longer shake the urge to perform, and made the decision to work his way back into the music scene, and in 1997, the Bluescasters were born. After 5 years of success the band crashed and burned due to musical and personal conflicts in 2002.
In the fall of 2007, the itch to perform again became overwhelming, and Steve
began preliminary preparations to reform the Bluescasters. Fate would play an interesting roll in his Steve’s quest, and the face of the band was changed with
one phone call. “I'm ready to sing some real music,†said an an excited voice on
the line. Without hesitation, Steve welcomed his daughter Brooke to the band,
the wheels were set into motion, and Brooke Shive & the 45’s were born
Brooke is a dynamic performer that leaves everything on stage. Her love of blues, soul, indie rock and pop provides her with a unique musical background and grittiness on stage that only a few talented souls possess, igniting a fire deep within herself with every note she sings. Her musical and acting range have put her on the forefront of the Delaware Valley’s entertainment scene.
Her performing career began at an early age, acting in commercials alongside Bill Cosby. After pursuing drama in high school, she attended the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in NYC, and continues to train with at the legendary Katie Agresta Vocal Studio. Brooke has spent the last few years performing with a number of popular Bucks County cover bands, honing her skills as a singer and performer.
To Randall Thompson , one of the best guitar players anywhere, the project was an easy sell. Randall, a member of the original Bluescasters, has had and an illustrious career, playing with the likes of Billy Goodman, Steve Kimock, the Cole Younger Band and Good Wood. Randall then made the next phone call to an old friend and bass player from his days with Cole Younger, the great Bobby Sandor. Bobby has worked with numerous bands over the years and is one rock solid and very talented bass player.
Last and certainly not least, rounding out the rhythm section is the fabulous Bill Levinson ..boards. Bill’s career transcends itself, working with likes of The Voodudes, Frank Bey, and the Tonemasters, just to name a few.
Brooke Shive & The 45's put on a performance that remains unparalleled in the Philadelphia blues scene. With a group of seasoned (and yes, older) musicians laying down killer grooves behind a fresh, young, talented, dynamic performer in Brooke Shive, the band has built a song list
consisting of original material and classic cuts that speak to them internally. Everything with the Brooke Shive & the 45's revolves around choosing the right songs, and with that, audiences are left with no choice but to enjoy and revel in the band’s performance.
Some of the venues the Bluescasters have performed at::
Warm Daddies – Phila., PA
The Bucks County Blues Picnic (with Kenny Neal) – Morrisville, PA
Blue 52 – Doylestown, PA
The Point – Phila, PA
The Paramount Theater (with Clarence Carter)- Asbury Park, NJ
AJ's Blue Thursday series – Levittown, PA
Urban Word – Trenton, NJ
Lambertville Station – Lambertville, NJ
Havana – New Hope, PA
Mary Makers – Bridgewater, NJ
Triumph Brewery – Princeton, NJ
McCarter Theater – Princeton, NJ
Red, Hot and Blue- Cherry Hill, NJ
The Candlelight Lounge-Trenton, NJ
Mount Holly Blues Festival – Mt. Holly, NJ
Bubba Mack’s – Somers Point, NJ
The Joyous Lake, Woodstock, NY
My Father’s Place, Roslyn, NY
For booking information, contact Artful Productions @ 267-994-0080 or [email protected].
