The Drivers is a Chicago-based quartet that specializes in musical style they call "Red Hot, No Frills Electric Blues & Americana" - a unique blend of traditional and modern blues, R&B, funk, country, and rockabilly. Launched in early 2008, the band draws its inspiration from a wide range of artists - from Robert Johnson and Willie Dixon to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton to James Brown, Merle Haggard and The Meters.
The Drivers playing together in early 2008. Its members are seasoned Chicago musicians who have performed in a variety of local venues, including the House of Blues, the United Center, The Note, The Elbo Room, The Double Door, Wise Fools Pub, The Kaz Bar (House of Blues Hotel), Cubby Bear Wrigleyville, Red Line Tap, U.S. Beer Company, Avenue Ale House, Heartland Café, and Goose Island Brewery.
Richard Ellis Potter (guitar & vocals) grew up in Michigan and has been playing, singing, and writing songs since 1968. Over the course of his career, Rich has shared the stage with such notables as Eric Burdon and the Animals, Chubby Checker, and Ted Nugent. As a member of the United States Army Band, he performed for President Ronald Reagan. His long and checkered musical history includes stints with Due West (San Francisco), The Conqueroos (Tucson), Ozark (Germany), and more recently, the Ellis Potter Band (Chicago). Currently Rich also plays lead guitar with Universal Slim and the Blues Kangaroos.
Henry Small (keyboards, harp, acoustic guitar & vocals) has performed with different types of bands throughout the last 25 years and has probably played every club or bar in the Chicago area. He has played oldies and country, but his main love is blues, and that is where he wants to stay till he dies. Most recently he spent two years with the Bruce Williams Blues Band in Chicago’s north suburbs. Henry can often be found frequenting open jams and sitting in with bands at local blues clubs throughout the city.
Dane Tyson (bass) has been performing music on a wide variety of instruments over the past 30 years, most recently as bassist with world-pop band Radio Mango. Previously he played bouzouki and bass with the Irish traditional music group Sheela-Na-Gig and oud with the University of Chicago’s Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. Dane currently also plays bass for South of Disorder, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band.
Tim Williams (drums) studied music and sound engineering at Columbia College and does live sound and live recording for a number of Chicago area groups, schools, and ensembles. Tim was drummer for the world-pop band Radio Mango and currently plays with The Retrorockets, a classic rock cover band.
Live at the House of Blues - "Her Mind Is Gone"
And another one:
Live at Bungalow Joe's - "Hey Joe"
Live at Bungalow Joe's - "Palace of the King / Good Morning Little Schoolgirl"
