George P. Kyle AKA "Brother Jeep"

Lead Vocals / Harmonica

• "Brother Jeep" is the nickname for George P. Kyle

• This nickname was derived from G for George and P from his middle initial. His parents first called him GP, which then became Jeep.

• Brother Jeep started his musical career early. At the age of 13, Jeep sang on radio station WESA with his band The Buccaneers. He always had a yearning for the blues harmonica and in the summer of 1971, he was under the tutelage of the late great harp player Magic Mick. He also studied with James King, the singer and harmonica player with The Usual Suspects.

• Brother Jeep is known for his Raspy Soulful Blues style of singing. He especially enjoys interacting with the crowd while performing. He's made numerous appearances with some of the top Pittsburgh R&B bands. As the critic from the Tribune Review said, "Brother Jeep has a bad case of the blues, but manages to perk everyone up!" His first CD with his former band Brother Jeep & the M.V. Express is entitled Brother Jeep Sings the Blues, and has received numerous accolades.

• Brother Jeep graduated from Belle Vernon Area High School in 1971, received a BS degree in Education from California University of PA and the Pennsylvania State Police under the Act 120. He has worked the corners for over 30 professional fights with some of the top boxers and kick boxers in the world. Today, music offers him a nice release from the demands of his position of law enforcement. Jeep now resides in Belle Vernon, PA with his lovely wife Sherry.

 

Dan Rach
Keyboards

• Dan graduated from Monongahela High School in 1971 but began playing in local bands in 1967 — just to name a few — Jamestown Colony, Church Street, Chaser and Kicker.

• He also played with the Coasters during their Pittsburgh Tour and played the B-3 organ with Bo Diddley and Fats Domino in the late 70’s. He and Chaser was the warm up band for Sister Sledge.

• Most recently he has performed with Gashouse Annie at the Meadows Casino and various Pittsburgh night spots.

• Dan enjoys playing all types of music from Honky Tonk, Blues, Country, Funk, Fusion and Classic rock.

 

Duane Galensky
Guitar / Vocals

• Duane is a Guitarist and Mandolinist with experience in Rock, Pop, Blues, Country, Folk and Bluegrass.

• He studied with many noted guitarists including Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), G.E. Smith (former leader of the Saturday Night Live Band), former National Flatpicking Champions Robin Kessinger and Orrin Star, Roy Bookbinder (Piedmont Fingerstyle Blues), Blues/Jazz Stylist Mike Dowling and Virtuoso of open tunings Martin Simpson.

• He spent twenty-five years as part of the New Jersey short music scene, playing with various rock and country bands.

• Since returning to his native Mon Valley in 2006, he taught guitar and mandolin for the Calliope School in Pittsburgh and has held regularly scheduled private lessons for beginners to active professionals

• Duane holds a BSEE from Penn State University, a MSEE from Georgia Tech and, during his professional career at Bell Laboratories, earned four patents in telecommunications, including a patent for a wireless Internet music and video service on which current service offerings are modeled.

 

Steven Boyd
Percussion / Vocals

• Spent 2 years at the Stamps Baxter conservatory of Music in Waxahachie, Texas.

• Started in rock bands at the age of 13, as both a singer and a drummer.

• At the age of 22, became the drummer for the Blue Ridge Quartet, a nationally known gospel quartet from Spartanburg, SC.

• The Blue Ridge Quartet went on to have several #1 Billboard Hits on the gospel charts.

• Later the Blue Ridge Quartet crossed over to a country band known as The Blue Ridge, who never lost their gospel roots.

• The Blue Ridge were members and regulars of Jamboree USA, in Wheeling, WV.

• As a member of the Blue Ridge Band, Steven played for such artists as Crystal Gayle, Kitty Wells, Faron Young, Skeeter Davis, and the cast of Hee Haw.

• The Blue Ridge shared the stage with Hank Williams, Jr., Reba McEntire, Ronny Milsap, Jerry Reed, Alabama, Merle Haggard, The Oak Ridge Boys, Conway Twitty, to name a few; and were regulars at Jamboree in the Hills.

• The Blue Ridge recorded in RCA Studios Nashville, TV and Marshall Tucker Band Studios, Spartanburg, SC.

• He has been a member of the Old Shoes Band since their origin in 2003.

• Steven, currently, resides In Beallsvllle, PA with his family.

• Steven Is a graduate of Belpre High School.

 

Steve Grahek
Tenor Sax

• Started playing Alto Sax at the very young age of ten and over 50 years later he’s still going strong.

• In his early teens, he fell In love with the rockin’ sound of the tenor saxophone and began studying with the late, great Joe Anastasia.

• He then formed his first band, The Vandells, while still in Junior High School and played throughout the Mon Valley area.

• Over the years he played in many bands with such diverse styles as Rock, Blues, Country, and Gospel.

• One of the highlights of his musical career was performing with the Grammy Nominated Band, the Casuals, from Cleveland, Ohio.

• As one of the original founders of The Old Shoes Band, he is pleased to now be playing with such a wealth of talented musicians in Brother Jeep and OSB.

• Steve lives in Brownsville with his wife and two daughters.

 

Stush Zyski
Bass / Vocals

• Playing Guitar and bass since Hector was a pup.

• Most notably played with the Good Neighbors Band who won the first WDVE Pittsburgh Rocks Album.

• After some studio and backup work, he was coaxed out of retirement to play bass with The Old Shoes Band

 

 

7 Time World Boxing Champion Roy Jones Jr. with Brother Jeep

 

Brother Jeep with his son Justin - 2010