The Midnighters is a six-piece band from legendary Muscle Shoals, Al. featuring the dynamic vocalist Earnest Davis. The group embarked on their musical journey more than 20 years ago. Earnest along with Wayne and James Counts, founded the band in 1985 after working together in a backup band for the artist Bobby Lewis, who had a hit song called "Tossin' and Turnin' ", at a show in Sheffield, Al. In addition to Earnest, Wayne's guitar and vocals, James' drums, the band includes saxophonist/vocalist, James Oliver Roy, bassist Bob Wray, and keyboardist Elizabeth Counts. The band plays a real variety of music including rhythm & blues, soul, rock, and vintage oldies with an emphasis on Muscle Shoals, Memphis, and Motown tunes. This diversity allows the band to perform for and entertain audiences of all ages from teens to AARP members.
In addition to entertaining for 40 plus years, Earnest is also a very proficient writer, having written the song "L.O.V.E." for soul artist Johnny Taylor and songs for his own CD entitled "Real Soul".
Wayne Counts has played around the Southeast for almost 40 years. His solos highlight each band performance. Wayne also co-wrote a song for T.G. Sheppard entitled "Great Work of Art".
Bob Wray, the newest addition to the band five years ago, is both a studio and stage musician, having worked with hundreds of recording artists, and several concert tours. Some artists of note Bob has recorded with include: Lee Greenwood, Ray Charles, Al Green, Mark Chesnutt, Sawyer Brown, Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers, Tanya Tucker, Confederate Railroad, Millie Jackson, and ZZ Hill. Bob has toured with such groups as The Highway Men, Alabama State Troopers, Phil Drisscoll, and Marshall Tucker Band. He was recently featured in "Bass Player" magazine.
Elizabeth Counts has twenty plus years of playing and teaching experience. She is also in church music as a music director and church pianist.
James Oliver Roy has entertained for 40 plus years around the Southeast and the Hampton, Va. area. James and Earnest played together in the 60's in a band called the Soul Serenaders. He was also a member of a popular duo called The Right Brothers. He has recorded and played with many artists including Bo Bice, a recent American Idol runner up.
James Counts began playing drums at age 11 and did gigs at age 12. During his 30 plus year career, he has worked with many local artists and some national artists both on stage and in the studio. Some of those artists include Percy Sledge, Eddie Hinton, Jim Stafford, Rita Coolidge, Paul Thorn, and Bonnie Bramlett.
Collectively, the band has over 200 years of playing experience. In addition to playing for various functions, the band has been an opening act for such artists as The Temptations, Delbert McClinton, T. Graham Brown, Shirley Brown, and Shenandoah.
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