Whiskey Haulers: Bio
Geno Tortelli - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Blues Baptism
I must have been about 15 when I saw the cover of Sonny Boy Williamson’s Down and Out Blues at the local record store. Man, that image on the cover burned itself into my soul the moment I saw it. I bought that record, along with a couple of the usual pop records that I was into at the time and headed on home.
I put it on my parents J.C. Penney turntable and immediately fell in love with what I was hearing. I didn’t quite understand it though, until the song “99”. There I found the blues. I had never seen anything as heavy as the image on the cover of that record, but I could relate to the lyrics of that song.
“The doctor’s bill was 300 dollars, and I didn’t have but $299.”
We all come up a little short from time to time and the blues is a celebration of those shortcomings. Bring all your weekly worries, shortcomings, and other ailments to the show and stomp ‘em out on the dance floor. You’ll leave feeling better than when you came in…………
I always do.
Guitar Influences:
Ronnie Earl
Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie’s little brother
Mike “Machine Gun” Thompson
Bill Clifton
Vocal Influences:
Kim Wilson
Sonny Boy Williamson II
Susan Tedeschi
John Clifton
For Sale: Small stack of early ‘80s pop records……Cheap!
Joe Tortelli - Bass/Vocals
The Whiskey Haulers have received several emails "what about Joe?" Joe said he was going on a spiritual retreat in Madagascar. We think he lied. We know Joe likes the cold & snow. He's probably ice fishing in Michigan. Joe will be back in time for the next gig! in the meantime...
Joe's room is cluttered with electric guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers and microphone stands. His record player will soon fall off the shelf due to all the vinyl he listens to:
- Guitar Slim
- Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
- Big Joe Turner
- Muddy Waters
- Sonny Boy Williamson
- T-Bone Walker
- Otis Rush
Nick Klaich - Drums/Backup Vocals
Big Nick was born and raised in Reno. He has been a drummer for 11 years. For the last three years, He has been playing in Blues Jams around the area trying to learn as much as he can. Finding a band has been a long struggle that has finally ended with joining the Haulers. Nick listens to all kinds of music and has many influences. Ebay is one of his favorite places to spend spare time. He loves to talk drums and music so grab a cocktail and sit down with him when you get a chance. Once in a while the band will give him a microphone so WATCH OUT!!!
Equipment: DW Drums, Sabian cymbals and DW hardware.
R Brad Peters - Lead Guitar/ Backup Vocals
BIO:
Brad is a southern California native setting roots in Reno since 1992. Back in 1984 Brad had the idea of touring the world with Van Halen. Junior high school prevailed. By 1986 he decided it was time to buy a guitar. The following year Brad discovered Santana’s Blues for Salvador. Brad still likes to buy guitars.
Brad works as a professional civil-environmental engineer in northern Nevada. In fact that’s how he met fellow axe slinger Geno – they’ve been playing guitar together in basements since 2001. Brad is married to an Italian native of Brasil: her name is Paula.
ELECTRIC GUITARS:
1986 Yamaha SE150 "Cat"
1994 Washburn MG90 "Rio"
1999 PRS Custom 24 "Paula"
2003 PRS Custom 22 "Paulinha"
2006 Fender Telecaster "Angie"
MUSICAL INFLUENCES:
Santana
Van Halen
the Blues
60’s British Invasion
Arena Rock
70's & 80' Heavy Metal
L.A. Glam Rock
Marisa Monte
my Whiskey Haulin’ mates