It seems like "Big John" was born with a bass in his hands. He grew up in Westfield, NJ and attended college at the Univ. of Bridgeport, where he majored in music.
John has over 20 years experience in the recording studio and on the road. Just some of the bands he's played with are The Rascals, Mick Fleetwood and Friends, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of The Doobie Bros., drummer Carmine Appice, Robert Lighthouse, Tommy Lepson, Linwood Taylor and has toured Europe 22 times with Washington, DC blues guitar legend, Tom Principato.
Gear
Lakland
5-string bass
Galien Kruger amp with a Hartke Cabinet
Billy, as he's affectionately known, is a truly gifted musician. He led the school band throughout his formative years in Westfield, NJ. He plays piano, electronic keys, trumpet, sings, and writes his own unique, bluesy style rock and lounge compostitions.
Billy has been involved in the creative side of the music business for over 20 years, writing and recording for a number of original music projects. some of the bands he's worked with over the course of the years are Bouncing Balls, Whirling Dervishes, and his current effort, NJ lounge legends, Everlounge.
Gear
Kurzweil PC2, Nord Electro 73, Alesis Micron Synth, Voce V3, Emu
Emax keyboards
Wurlitzer electric piano
Roland Keyboard Amp
Mackie SRM450 Speaker/Amp Enclosure
Allen & Heath 16 Channel mixer
Bb Bach Stradivarius Trumpet
Steve brings an unbridled optitmism and enthusiasm to the group -- Always upbeat, funny and ready to enjoy life. he began his drum playing at an early age, citing Ringo Starr as a major influence. He loves to play, and is always pushing whatever project he's working on, whether on the road or in the studio, to be the best it can be.
Steve has recently re-discovered the great sounds of rockabilly and together with a group of his friends, The Rocket Men, they pay tribute to the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll from the 50s and early 60s.
Gear
1962 Ludwig blue oyster pearl 4-piece kit
Zildjian cymbals
Tom "Tender" Polman played his first professional gig at the age of 13. Music has been the overriding passion and concern in his life since that time. Tender is self taught on guitar, piano, harmonica, and drums. He, like Billy, writes his own material, songs inspired and influenced by such luminary songwriters as Lennon/McCartney, Pete Townshend, Paul Simon, and Brian Wilson.
Tender loves to perform. It seems like there's just no limit to the outlets for his talents. He plays local pubs, bars, taverns and restaurants in the northern Virginia/DC metro area with The Tender Polman Band. He also writes, records, and performs award winning kids' music with his fiancee, Kathy. You can visit them at www.kathyandtom.com.
Gear
Taylor custom 815-CE acoustic
1969 Gibson SG Special, 1979 Schecter Telecaster electrics
Fender Bandmaster amp
Carlson TurboPup amp
Kathy Norwine, also a native of Westfield, NJ, had innate musical talent evident from her earliest years, reading music before words. At the age of 5, Kathy was singing solos in her church's choir and by 8, landing roles in community theatre. Kathy has sung on pop and classical recordings, has been the recipient of numerous vocal awards and scholarships, and was recruited by several music colleges and conservatories.
While she's sung everything from Bach to Broadway to The Beatles, Kathy brings to Generation Vinyl her ear for perfection and finds the the challenge of exact replication of Classic Albums a thrill! When not onstage with GenV, Kathy writes, records, and performs original award-winning kids' music, and together with Tom, are two-time winners in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Visit Kathy and Tom's Web site at www.kathyandtom.com
Gear
Yamaha PF-1000 keyboard
LP percussion
There is no other way to say it -- Tim Pruitt is a guitar virtuoso and Generation Vinyl is lucky to have him in the fold. He is adept at replicating the lead guitar parts of any and all of the artists covered by the band. Tim also adds a strong singing voice when called upon for necessary harmonies and backing vocals.
Tim is a veteran of the Baltimore music scene since the mid 80s, and has played the bars, clubs and parties with Frankentractor (formerly The Swilltones), Kwyjibo, and Snake Oil. He is also a former member of national touring act, New Potato Caboose, and comes to GenV more recently by way of Radio Mosaic, a fantastic jam band out of northern Virginia.
Gear
Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul, PRS &
Gretsch electrics
Takamine & Martin acoustics
Fender & Matchless amps
