Meet The Boomers
The Boomers formed in early 2019 and are based out of the Bradenton, FL area. Each month we will feature one of our band members and give you some insight on who we are and what makes us rock 'n' roll.
Meet Gordon Flash - Keyboards, Vocals
Where are you from and when did you move to the Sarasota/Bradenton area?
I spent my first 18 years in the southeast corner of Virginia. By 2017, five states and 40 years later, I was lucky enough to land in beautiful southwest Florida.
How did you get started in music?
My introduction to music started literally in the 1st grade. I started piano at age 6 and continued with classical lessons until age 18. I am so fortunate to have learned to read music at a young age. After retirement from a technical career, I went back to college full-time for 1.5 years and studied Jazz Theory and Composition. That was one of the most intense musical experiences of my life. I was able to immerse myself in musical learning and growth, paired with the mentorship of seasoned professional musicians. It was a dream come true. So lucky!
Who are your musical influences?
This is always a difficult question for me, there are so many. To start with, my dad who is an accomplished guitar player and then my grandfather, a multi-instrumentalist. Piano/keyboard master influences include Ray Charles, Elton John, Billy Preston, Chuck Leavell, Erroll Garner, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Dr John, and Leon Russell. Organ player influences include, Gregg Rolie, Gregg Allman, Booker T, and Benmont Tench. Guitar players also make the list; Clapton, Jimi, SRV, and Carlos. Rock bands that changed my life; The Beatles, Wings, Steely Dan, ABB, Skynyrd, The Guess Who, The Band, The Doors, Three Dog Night and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers.
What are some of the other bands you have played in?
I have played in several cover bands over the years, across many genres. I recently played in CircleBack, an R&B and classic rock cover band doing mainly local community gigs. Before that, Canopy Road, the original band of musicians that ended up becoming Jack’D Up, a local rock band favorite. I also had the opportunity to sit-in several gigs with The Lisa Ridings band, a popular local act.
Before Florida, I lived in the Phoenix, Arizona area where I played with The Gallegos Method. We covered rock and alternative rock classics. Great friends! I played in The Clapton Experience, an Eric Clapton tribute band. Great blues rock band! I was also in an Irish Folk band called Kilted Spirit. Great musicians!
What do you like about playing with The Boomers?
The Band - All Boomer band members respect and admire the music and the era. They are all exceptional musicians who care about the music and each other. It’s one of the best band chemistry experiences I have ever had. The foundation of the band is held up by the best group of band wives ever! There is only love and good energy. It’s like an extended family.
The Audience - I have so much admiration and respect for our audience. It’s a rare collection of people whose positive energy, and love is on display in all the colors of the 60s. and 70s. It’s always an uplifting experience meeting people who all love and value the same thing. It's powerful! The Boomers Band could not exist without our wonderful audience of followers, friends, and families.
It’s a Thing - It’s impossible not to be drawn into the phenomenon that is The Boomers Band Bradenton experience. People are smiling, laughing, singing, dancing, dressing up in their favorite 60s clothing, taking pictures and having good times with friends and family. What’s not to like?
Do you have a memorable or funny music experience you would like to share?
Gig in the middle of nowhere! While in the Navy, I played the Rhodes keyboard for the ships rock band. We were deployed in the Mediterranean Sea for 6 months. We literally had a captured audience for the Sunday cookout days at sea. It was weird to play on a floating stage. The crew grilled burgers and dogs and we performed classic rock favorites.…….in the middle of the ocean. It was surreal.
HOT as it gets! While living in the Phoenix, Arizona area I played an outdoor benefit gig in late June. It was a covered location so no sweat right? The temperature reached an all-time high for that day of 119 degrees. That’s not a typo. We changed the band name the next day to “Record High”.
Meet Todd "T-Bone" Bohlmann - Bass, Vocals
Where are you from and when did you move to the Sarasota/Bradenton area?
I'm originally from Chicago with stops in Southern Illinois, Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, and Kalamazoo along my way to Florida. I moved to the Bradenton area in 2006 so this is the longest I have lived anywhere in my lifetime.
How did you get started in music?
I started playing the drums when I was 10 yrs old (thanks Mom & Dad). But I have always felt a connection to the bass. I had the opportunity to get a cheap bass and amp around 2013 and fell in love with it from the first time I plugged it in and felt that electricity rolling through my musical soul.
Who are your musical influences?
My influences are Brian Wilson, Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. Everything they did has such subtle layers that it sounds so simple from the music to the harmonies. But that's because they make it look so easy. Especially with Brian Wilson. There is so much going on in his songs you can enjoy it in so many ways. I've always wanted to have a band called Holly Wilsonberry! And of course as far as the bass goes Paul McCartney and his style have been extremely influential.
What are some of the other bands you have played in?
I played here locally in a band called the Plaiders. It was primarily me and two brothers playing anything from the 60's to current pop tunes. The Boomers is only my second band.
What do you like about playing with The Boomers?
The genre of the music is what I really love to sing and play ranging from '64 to the early 70's. And the best thing, which is so hard to find in bands, is all the guys mesh together personally and musically. It's like we can read each other's minds on stage.
Do you have a memorable or funny music experience you would like to share?
My very first gig with The Plaiders was a scene directly from The Blues Brothers and the beer tab at Bob's Country Bunker. The first beer was on the house but I thought it was free all night. Our drummer came running out at the end of the evening with the band tab and wanted to know who drank all the beer. I had to fork over all $15 of my tip money that night.
Meet Mike Kennedy - Drums, Vocals
Where are you from and when did you move to the Sarasota/Bradenton area?
I'm from Indianapolis and moved to the Bradenton area in 1992, so I'm practically a native!
How did you get started in music?
I started playing the drums in 1970 when I was a freshman in high school. I began jamming with anyone who owned a guitar, and I was part of a couple of garage bands. When I went to college I lived in a dorm, so the drums couldn't come along, and I bought a second-hand acoustic guitar and learned to play tunes on it.
Who are your musical influences?
I was hooked on rock and roll when I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 when I was 8 years old. I've been listening to rock and the blues ever since. In the 60s and 70s I enjoyed the heavier stuff the most, and my main influences were Cream, Hendrix, The Who, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and Rush. I also enjoy listening to progressive rock, such as Kansas, Jethro Tull and Yes.
What are some of the other bands you have played in?
I played in a 60s soul band in Raleigh, NC; a classic rock band called Second Nature that played locally in the Bradenton area; a Pink Floyd cover band called Project Pink that played in Hillsborough and Pasco counties; and most recently before The Boomers I was the drummer for a local classic rock band called The Space Age Relics
What do you like about playing with The Boomers?
It is such a pleasure playing music with the guys in The Boomers. They're all excellent musicians, and they're also my good friends. This band has a camaraderie that shows when we're on stage. There are few things in life that are better than playing great music with your friends
Do you have a memorable or funny music experience you would like to share?
We played a show on Clearwater Beach in October of 2012. At the same time, Hurricane Sandy was moving up the east coast of Florida on its way to the Northeast. So, during our show the wind got so strong that I was having trouble keeping my cymbals from taking off
Meet Bob Cary - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Where are you from and when did you move to the Sarasota/Bradenton area?
I’m from Maryland and moved to SRQ in 2012.
How did you get started in music?
Played clarinet & drums in school. Took up electric guitar and played in several bands as a teen. Developed a love for the warmth, tone and character of the acoustic guitar and stuck with that ever since. Have a natural ear for music and multiple harmonies which is why I like harmony music best. Can play piano/keyboard but only in a basic sense.
Who are your musical influences?
The Beatles, The Eagles, Santana, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Frankie Valli, Creedence, Clapton, Ricky Skaggs, The Beach Boys, really any good harmony songs. Love anything that is done well.
What are some of the other bands you have played in?
“Disowned” 70s rock: Heart, Santana, Beatles, Clapton, Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, etc.
“The Curators” 70s rock: McCartney & Wings, Mountain, Jackson Browne, Almond Bros, Clapton, etc.
“Sons Of Pirates” light rock, pop, beach music, Zac Brown, Neil Young, CSN, Grateful Dead, etc.
“If Walls Could Talk” 60s & 70s rock, pop, country rock covering a variety of artists
“What About Bob” a mix of artists & genres including The Band, Marshall Tucker, Badfinger, The Moody Blues, Ricky Skaggs, America, James Taylor, George Harrison
What do you like about playing with The Boomers?
The camaraderie and music. This is a great group of fun loving, down to earth people. Our music provides a unique niche in the market that people don’t often get to hear live. As a dance party band I like the energy and fun our audiences enjoy.
Do you have a memorable or funny music experience you would like to share?
Who is sitting next to you?
After 30 minutes at a local FL house jam, I was told that the guy playing next to me was from Guns & Roses
Appearances can be deceiving
At a concert, a man who looked like a hobo was called to the stage. I was going to leave when people told me to stay and hear him. Turned out to be Piedmont Records blues legend, (the late) Warner Williams. We got introduced and I played guitar and sang with him several times after that. Glad I stuck around.
Audition Surprises
We went to audition a bass player at their house. When we got there we saw gold framed records and album recording certificates on the walls. Turned out to be one of Trisha Yearwood’s Recording Engineers who also played bass. They didn’t join our band but we had a fun day of music and conversation.
The Funny Bump
The Bump dance came out in the 70s. Since we play music into the 70s I decided to bump with the audience at an event. I ended up being squashed between two large individuals which made the singer laugh out loud while trying to sing 96 Tears. I now keep a small bottle of helium-oxygen in my bag to inflate my lungs should that happen again.
Meet Johnny Was - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Where are you from and when did you move to the Sarasota/Bradenton area?
I was born and grew up in the DC tri-state area. Specifically Fairfax Virginia..We relocated in July 2019 to Sarasota primarily because of the amazing beach and weather.
How did you get started in music?
When I was 12, my sister had a nylon string guitar. My brother and I took turns fighting over playing it.
I was 14 when some guys started a band in my neighborhood. They didn’t have a bass player, so somehow my dad found a bass guitar and a beat up Selmer amplifier with 4 inputs which I also used for my microphone.
One of the guys showed me what notes to play, and just like that I was in my first band.
Who are your musical influences?
All the big names from the 60s and early 70s. And some lesser known bands playing in Georgetown like Grin, James Gang,
What are some of the other bands you have played in?
After Cromwell, there was Truck, (Cream, Byrds, harmony), then Happy Jack…(Beatles, Allman Brothers, Santana, harmony), then a wonderful contemporary rock band called “Hot Rox”…that played a lot of Holiday Inns, Wagon Wheel restaurants, and Rock venues…..then a traveling 40s show through Chicago and Wisconsin, Carolinas, then back to DC into a band called Touch, (Rock, Lounge, Show Group..). Then into a harder rock n roll group called Romance (Zepplin, 80s Rock). The last group was called Pure Luck and we played Mary Chapin Carpenter, country, and classic rock..after all that I founded “Rock University” in DC to teach kids how to play and to play in bands.
What do you like about playing with The Boomers?
The Boomers have a pure tight sound that is energetic and exciting. They have variety, and a wide range of musical surprises that keep everyone’s interest. And you won’t find a better group of humans anywhere..In the end, chemistry is what makes bands fun to play in, and fun to listen to.
Do you have a memorable or funny music experience you would like to share?
I have many early career memories. Playing on the DC river boat every night when we were 17 and 18 in the Happy Jack band gave us our first glimpse of what a musician's life would be.
So exciting.. So fresh… Grand Funk Railroad, Santana were big, and Allman Bros were emerging….