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
- Dave Spector
- Mike “Machine Gun” Thompson
- Bill Clifton
Vocal Influences:
- Kim Wilson
- Sonny Boy Williamson II
- Susan Tedeschi
- John Clifton
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
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 civil 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. MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Santana Van Halen Marisa Monte The Blues 60’s British Invasion Arena Rock 70's & 80's Heavy Metal L.A. Glam Rock My Whiskey Haulin’ mates.
Gary "Smitty" Smith - Drums/Backup Vocals
Gary Smith, "Smitty" the elder statesman of the group. Born October 10, 1952 in El Paso, Texas to Jack and Trudy. Resident of Nevada since '58. Started drumming at 13 switched to keyboard for a couple years, went back to drumming at 15.
Given nickname "Smitty" by papa Joe Wade while playing in Joes' country band with two of his sons Gary and Dean which cut down on the confusion answering to Gary. Later formed trio with the two brothers called the Sharks. This group had much local success in the mid to late seventies landing local steady gig at the old Black Angus Restaurant, and later changed name to Wade Brothers Band with the addition of the younger brother James "Jimi".
"Smitty" had been retired from the music scene, but his love for the Blues had inspired him to respond to the Whiskey Haulers add for a new drummer. The guys felt like his steady groove style drumming might be a good fit for them and hired him in August. "Smitty" also has vocal talent and will be able to add to the Whiskey Haulers bag'o'blues deluxe.
Musical influences:
Charlie Watts
Ringo