The Lucy Creek Blues Band was born in November of 2004 when two musicians from the Marshall Star country band were contacted by Pete Roller.  Pete had heard that they were looking for a week-night gig and made the telephone call.  The two drove out to Pete's one afternoon and the band was born within minutes.

 

"This pick-em-up truck pulls up in the driveway and these guys get out, one in a cowboy hat and boots and I thought, oh boy!" Pete recalled.

 

"Well, we drove out of town and down this long driveway.  This older guy walked out and Joe and I sorta smiled at one another" said Kevin.  "Then we went into the shop attached to his garage.  Actually, it's more of a music studio and a place for Pete's hobbies.  There was all this equipment set up so all we had to do was flip the switches.  It was great."

 

Within a few minutes, drummer Dave Whitman walked in and the playing began.  This was really an audition of one another and Pete knew that a drummer was necessary if the group was going to get a true picture of what it could sound like.  Pete knew Dave from other gigs and he was available for this initial session  that afternoon.

 

"I had the PA system turned on and the drums were already set up for Dave.  I told Kevin to call the tune and he picked a blues shuffle. By the time we got to the first turn around Kevin and Joe were smiling at one another and I knew a band was in the making," said Pete.

 

"I love blues," says Kevin.  "I play country for a living, but I love blues.  So does Joe and we just wanted to find some local players and a place where we could hang our hats on an off-night and play music we personally enjoy.  All of a sudden, that afternoon out at Pete's, we knew it could happen."

 

"When they started smiling at one another, I remember I turned back to Dave and winked at him.  Dave and I had played together before and I knew that he and I could lay down a solid rhythm base and that's what we did," said Pete.

 

Kevin went on, "One thing about playing blues is respect.  By that I mean you gotta stay out of the other player's way when it's their turn to take the lead.  You try to complement what they are doing musically and let them feel the song and try to catch what they are saying.  Pete and David did that right off the bat."

 

"Well, playing bass is about being the bottom of the band; it's about being tight with the drums and it's about playing notes and patterns of notes that fit with what the lead instruments are doing without losing the drive.  Generally speaking, blues tunes are not musically difficult but getting the groove going and enhancing the lead feel at that moment takes some practice," added Pete.

 

Within an hour the quartet was playing well together and the band was up and going.  After Dave left to give a percussion lesson back in town, the remaining three sat down and discussed the possible future.  Four guidelines were promptly established: that the band would be primarily a "blues band", that their individual responsibilities to the Marshall Star band and to TSR (Pete's group) would always take priority, that they would play to have fun, and that they would honor those top quality local musicians who come to hear them.  These things continue to direct every performance of the group.

 

Later that afternoon, after a few glasses of tequila, the name "Lucy Creek" was selected.

 

Pete remembers that "it sounded 'too country' for my taste and I insisted that the words 'blues band' be added.  Lucy Creek is a real creek down by Waco, TX and it means something special to Kevin which he won't share with any of us.  So, that's how the name was chosen."

 

"That's right!" says Kevin.  "It's in my will and after I'm gone you can find out what Lucy Creek is all about."

 

Actually, if you've heard The Lucy Creek Blues Band, you know what "it is all about."

After that initial playing session, the group began performing around Eau Claire on either a Monday or Tuesday evening at various spots: My Place, The Mousetrap, DoubleDays, and Klassix. 

 

But what they wanted was a place where they could showcase their music on a regular basis.  Pete approached the manager at Klassix and the rest is history.

 

"When I need advice on a band or a quick fill-in due to a cancellation, I give Pete a call," says Diane, the Klassix manager.  "When he offered Lucy Creek on a Tuesday night, I knew I could trust that it would be good and oh boy, did they knock my sox off."

 

Beginning in February, the band performed twice at Klassix to rave reviews.  Then, suddenly, Joe left for Nashville.

 

"It was a shock.  Kevin called me to say that Joe had taken off for the bigger lights of the country recording capital.  We were sorry to lose him," said Pete.  The group was now a trio.

 

It was right at that time that Pete, while gigging with another area band,  had occasion to play a few songs with a tenor sax player who was now living back in the area.  He called her and on February 22, 2005,  Sue Orfield rehearsed with the band out at Pete's studio. 

 

"It was not a rehearsal as much as it was a chance to get to know the guys," recalled Sue.  "They were great to work with and I joined them at Klassix the very next Tuesday.  Every gig is simply fun.  We really get the energy going between us and that is what makes it for me," she added.

 

Starting on the first Tuesday in March of 2005, Klassix Lounge in Eau Claire, WI became the unofficial home of The Lucy Creek Blues Band.   

 

Says Diane, the Klassix manager, "Lucy Creek will be here forever as far as I'm concerned.  They are so outstanding and they have turned our Tuesday nights into a party every time.  Our regular customers have become their biggest fans."

 

The fourth musician in the band, the drummer, continued to change almost weekly depending on availability.  Then, the group settled in on one guy who seemed to be the most open on a Tuesday evening and John LeBrun became the regular.

 

"This gig is simply a blast.  The other three are strong players and I am fortunate to be able to play with pros like them," John said. Not that John isn't an old pro in his own right (see the bio elsewhere on this website). 

 

Now the group had secure personnel, at least as secure as it can be.  It is not atypical for bands to change musicians and Lucy Creek is no exception.  But for now, the line-up is Kevin, Sue, John and Pete.  Other musicians who are regular guests at Klassix can also be found on this website. 

 

So, that's the little history of The Lucy Creek Blues Band. 

 

Except for one last comment: when you hear the band, you are really hearing a live rehearsal.  They never play the same song twice the same way, and they often just do a song cold.  The group never rehearses; they just play.  You can be the judge of the results.

Written for The Lucy Creek Blues Band by Eddie Fox, Music Commentator