Willie & the Po’ Boys

“Willie and the Po’ Boys” is North Central Florida hottest Classic, Southern and Old Time Rock and Roll trio. They are musically diverse, and visually and musically highly dynamic.The band has been performing since 1999, and throughout their history have been led by guitarist/vocalist Terry "TC" Cavanaugh. His strong, melodic vocals and "rip the neck off" guitar work help place the band well above most other groups performing these days.Bassist, and Gainesville area music veteran Steve Ewing is the perfect counterpoint to the guitar work layed down by TC. His style is reminiscent and true to the styles of bassists like Jack Bruce of Cream.Drummer and percussionist Jeff Walker, who has worked with Susan Thomsen Clarke and others, is another long-time music veteran. As TC hads said many times "I NEVER have to worry about where '1' is when Jeff's playing." His background in country and southern music, and strong playing style are the perfect back drop for the band.In 1999 Willie Thomas, the group’s original drummer, hired veteran rocker TC, along with bassist/vocalist Ed Gallagher. Ed left the band in the autumn of 2000 and was replaced with veteran bassist David Sullivan. David has worked with Hank Williams, Jr., David Allan Coe, and many others. He has also performed with many well known Southern Gospel groups.In the summer of 2003, original drummer Willie Thomas was forced to retire due to serious health problems. After trying out many drummers, the band hired another veteran, drummer/vocalist Jeff Walker, to fill Willie’s shoes. Jeff was a solid and versatile drummer that had worked with many groups, including Susan Thomsen Clark.After a year with the band Jeff departed and was replaced by Mike "Mikey Stix" Mullins, former drummer of “Flashback”, a regionally successful southern rock band with one commercial CD. Soon after hiring Mike, long time bassist David Sullivan was forced to leave due to heart health problems. David Shull (lit’l Dave), veteran bassist and morning talk show radio jock from the St Augustine area, took his place.Lit’l Dave stayed with the band for a year and was replaced by Gainesville area veteran Steve Ewing, who remains with the band today.In February 2006, drummer Mike Mullins passed away. Original “Willie and the Po Boys” drummer Willie Thomas passed away a year later. They will both be missed. Jeff Walker has since returned full time to the group.“Willie and the Po’ Boys” is a musically and visually dynamic power trio performing covers from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, including material by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, Steppenwolf, Bob Seger, Eric Clapton, Cream, Mountain, Grand Funk Railroad, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet, Zeppelin, Spencer Davis, The Doobies, Van Morrison, Steve Miller, BTO, Bad Company, Buffalo Springfield, The Doors, Foghat, Eddie Money, Georgia Satellites, T-Rex, Kenny Wayne Shepard, and many more.They have performed at many of the area’s venues, including such north central Florida jukes as Little Caesar’s Lounge, Spindrifter, The Keystone Saloon, JR’s Lounge, Munegan’s, Porky’s Wild Hog Saloon, Willard’s, The Howlin’ Wolf, The Hi Level, Mate’s Billabong, Ethel’s Southland Lounge, The Sugar Tree Cafe, The Cheyenne Lounge, and many more. The band has also performed at many area festivals that include The 1st Annual Starke BikeFest (where they opened for Molly Hatchet), the Blue Crab Festival, the Florida Azalea Festival, Hot Southern Nights Festival, the Crescent City Block Party Festival, and also many private parties.The band is fully equipped, with enough PA available to do venues up to about 10,000 persons, or just enough to play small clubs and rooms. They also have available a small light show consisting of PAR cans and pro level NSI dimmers and console.I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)