Dave Howard and The High Rollers was formed in the fall of 1989. Howard had just left Young Neal and the Vipers, who at that time had just inked a deal with Atlantic Records. The A&R guys at Atlantic felt that Dave, although a good singer, was not exactly radio friendly (remember this was the '80s). Dave decided to form his own band, planning on working the then lucrative New England Blues circuit.
He originally intended on using Bill Zink, a fine guitarist singer who had his own trio, but a chance encounter with Tom Ferraro and Mike Labelle changed all that.
In the summer of '89, Ferraro and Labelle were working with Rhode Island-based Stormin' Norman and The Hurricanes, a traditional blues band, that although worked steady, never really could attain much more than a local following. Both Ferraro and Labelle were frustrated with their status and were looking for an opportunity to work better venues.
The Beacon Agency was the main player in booking blues talent in New England, headed by Ronald Martinez. Beacon booked some of the best clubs and represented the top regional blues talent at the time, Young Neal & the Vipers being the crown jewel of the agency. This is how fate played into the forming of the High Rollers. Beacon booked the legendary Bank St. Cafe in New London, CT. The Vipers were doing an afternoon festival and were running late for their night gig at the Cafe - so late in fact that Beacon was called to inform the club that they may have to cancel the show. Beacon contacted Stormin' Norman, who eagerly took the opening slot to stall off the sell-out crowd, and give Neal and Dave time to arrive.
Dave, who knew of the Hurricanes, never really got a chance to hear them and for the most part had his mind made up that he would be using Bill Zink's band for his new project.
"I knew of the band and that they worked the same clubs as us, but since we were doing 300 nights a year, we never really crossed paths until that night at the Bank St."
The Hurricanes played their standard set of the day - some classic covers of Little Walter and some original material. As Tom recalls, he noticed Dave in the back of the club checking the band out.
"I remember seeing him near the sound board. Funny - I tried to play better thinking I may impress him enough that he would hire me and Mike on the spot. I had already approached him a week earlier at a gig and he told me that he was going to work with Bill, but if things did not work out, hey, he may look me up."
Tom and Mike stayed for the Vipers set; both loved the band and really thought that the original material was great. On the break, they approached Dave in the dressing room.
Tom says, "He told me that he liked our set and my playing, but sort of felt obligated to Bill. I tried to convince him that I could put together a unit that would feature his talent. Well, it must have hit a nerve because a few days later we spoke on the phone and set up a meeting."
Dave planned on leaving the Vipers in October of 1989. Tom and Mike gave notice to Norman that they would work until the end of the year. Rod Carey (who later would work with the great Ronnie Earl, and currently is with Severin recording artist Bruce Katz) heard about the new band and contacted Tom requesting an audition on bass. At the time, Rod was fronting New Hampshire-based Rockin' Jake and the Rollercoasters, but was not playing bass. In fact, he had not played bass for over ten years.
"They took a big chance with me," says Rod. "I had been playing guitar and singing, but I really started out on bass, working in New York and New Jersey back in the '60s. I went out and bought a cheap bass and showed up for an audition in Dave's mother's basement! I was real rusty but they seemed to like my feel, so I got the gig."
Although Rod had little time to prepare, his approach was perfect for the new band. At the insistence of Tom and Mike, Dave decided to hire Rod. The band started rehearsing that fall, working up some classic blues numbers and then sprinkling the set with some of Dave's original tunes. The Beacon Agency agreed to book the new act, now called Dave Howard and the High Rollers. Beacon booked their first show on December 23, 1989 at the Last Call Saloon in Providence, RI to a huge crowd. The popular Mary, Fred, and Terry did the opener and then Dave's new band took the stage for the first time.
Since that time, the band has recorded three CDs, and has won countless Best of Awards in local press. Dave Howard and the High Rollers have worked with the cream of the crop in blues talent. Although, as with any bands, members come and go - in fact for a short time Dave left to record with his old friend Young Neal.
The current line-up now consists of Dave and Tom along with John Packer on bass and former Viper Bob Christina on Drums. The band has added Glenn Hardy on keyboards. The sound of the band is fresher than ever - more roots-oriented than in those early days. A great cross of blues, honky tonk, and country, and of course, more original material. In fact, they are celebrating the release of their latest critically acclaimed CD, 'Sure Bet.'
Real American Roots Music - the kind that once you hear it, you can't stop tapping your feet!
