Tom Shaper & The Mature Individuals

Last Friday, September 2nd, BackUp Band guitarist Tom Shaper opened the show for Chicago Bluesman, Carey Bell at The Beachland Ballroom. The band, Tom Shaper and the Mature Individuals, was made up of Tom on guitar and vocals along with myself on keyboards, Joe Alessandro on drums, James Gatewood on bass, and a last minute unexpected but welcome addition of Neon Don Buchanan on guitar.

Tom did a great job leading the band through a short but energetic set mixing traditional New Orleans music and blues. Tom has visited New Orleans countless times and feels a close affinity with the city. The damage and destruction has had an effect on us all, and especially Tom. The music was a tribute to the City.

Special thanks to Gail, Loralai (sorry for the spelling), Ann Marie, Lauren and the gang for coming out and supporting us.

Headliner, Carey Bell and his band, The King Bees, played a couple of great sets of harmonica inflected Chicago style blues. Overall, it was a great night at The Beachland. For those of you who have not been there, it is a great venue for both national and local live music.

As usual, The BackUp Band will be at The Greenville Inn, Chagrin Falls on Friday, September 30th.

PS: Anyone with digital photos of the Beachland Show, please email them to me at thebackupband@aol.com for posting on this site.