Wayne Young Band
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About Wayne Young Band
Known for his gritty voice, soulful guitar work and high-energy stage show, renown blues performer Wayne Young offers his listeners a chance to taste some smoky blues cooked over a little red-hot rock 'n roll. Young started his music career in the late 1950s with the Carnations, and in the 1960s joined Soul, Inc. for two tours with the "Dick Clark Caravan of Stars" and nights opening for Bo Diddley, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and The Byrds. In the 1970s and 1980s, Young began to hone his blues licks with The Heavyweights and later toured extensively with his own group, Midnight Special. In the Nineties, he created and performed the popular Slow Hand, and Eric Clapton tribute show, and reunited with his Soul, Inc. band mates to put out a CD under the name The Shufflin' Granddads. Young had a deep and acclaimed resume in the Midwest, with his early years of National Touring most notably with Soul Inc. and Midnight Special. He had recorded several critically and commercially successful projects during those years, most notably the 2000 release of Charcoal Soul. In 2001, Young was seeking a new direction and Gary Kirves, of Buddy Lee Entertainment of Nashville (and himself an accomplished stage performer), had known both Young and Willis. Krives suggested they connect to form a new band and focus on one of Young’s favorite artists, Eric Clapton. Young had conceptualized a show featuring the complex and varied music of Clapton and adding key performers to the mix, Wayne Young and the Youngsters emerged. In 2006 Wayne Young’s chance encounter with known and respected bandleader John Richards set the stage for the New Legends. Under Kirves’ guidance,Young and Willis had successfully performed for several years together as the Youngsters and built a substantial following in the Louisville Area. Young received critical acclaim with the Clapton tribute show “Slow Hand”, along with with their popular “Dance Party” show. Young's reputation of bringing fun and excitement to any venue was solidified. The Youngsters performed throughout the Midwest, including national appearances on the East Coast with the US military. Richards, had earlier formed one of Louisville most successful and followed bands “City Lights” and had developed several successful night clubs in the Midwest and West Coast. Richards had performed with Greg Henderson, Floyd “J. Juicy” Buckner and Don Wright in a variety of forms with exceptional musical chemistry. Richards suggested that this nucleus link with Young, and his long time playerpartner Jim Willis. Mary Pat Willis, who had performed with Young in earlier bands, rounded out the stage performers. This combination of players provides unusual versatility, as many as 5 lead vocalists can be out front and bring depth to harmonies and background vocals. The experience and skills of the Legends gives unequaled selection of music styles, genres and sounds on stage. The band can master Adult, Classic and Hard Rock shows, yet nail Funk, Soul, R&B and Blues. Even the sounds of jazz and fusion can be heard by this unique collection of artists. Buckner is regarded as one of the best drummers in the Derby City, yet the percussion skills of Don Wright and Jim Willis, whose first instrument was drums, allows the group amazing percussion versatility. This teams “drum line” has become one of their fans most requested features and will turn some heads and ears. Most of the current Legends performers have toured nationally or regionally and the list of national acts members have shared the stage with is extensive. In 2008 the New Legends journeyed into the recording studio with songs from Midwest writers and RIDE THIS! was born. Herlon Robinson, long time friend of the band and acclaimed Louisville vocalist, is featured in RIDE THIS! and often joins in Legends shows and events. Young and Henderson bring several of their own songs to the RIDE THIS! recording.
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News & Reviews
Song List
In the style of Bob Wills, Time Jumpers, and Asleep At the Wheel Cherokee Maiden Walkin' After Midnight Lady Takes Cowboy Faded Love Hot Rod Lincoln Always Get Lucky With You Rolly Polly Too Much Stuff Five & Dime Ghost Riders in the Sky Route 66 Cowboy's Sweetheart Choo Choo Chaboogie Down at the Twist & Shout All of Me Nothing Was Wrong I Ain't Broke Lone Star State of Mind  If I had a Boat Act Naturally Old Copper Penny My Baby Thinks He's a Train Cowboy Man Happy Trails Window Faces the South San Antonio Rose Undecided Dream Gone At Last Fever The Garden It Don't Mean a Thing Devil Went Down to Georgia