Our History
On the Bass: Cathy Davis
Cathy spent most of her life living the blues. Born in St. Andrews, Scotland, Cathy moved to Canada in 1966. Her Father played Accordian and wouldn't let her sing with him for many years. The school choir did though and the convent nuns in Red Deer Alberta gave her vocal lessons. In 1966 she debuted on CKRD Television with younger brother James singing Nobody's Child. Most appropriate because Cathy was born legally blind.
In 1967 she was chosen to join Bobby Gimby's troupe singing "Canada" during Red Deer's centennial celebrations.
The music really began in 1972 in Vancouver's Gas town. Cathy joined a group of buskers and got the bug. There was a minor interruption when she met and married her first husband. Tough to play and raise three kids. The need to sing never went away, Cathy started singing a cappella at coffee houses taking all the kids along.
In 1979 she picked up a guitar and started writing songs. Both of her husbands died young so she had lots to write about for sure.
Cathy moved to Nanaimo in 1984 and hit the country music scence. Again interrupted briefly with the birth of her fifth child, she was broke and started busking at the liquor store. What a way to get educated! Freezing cold, pregnant and with four other kids on a street corner! The merchants complained and called the cops, who attended and dropped in a dollar for each kid!
Then came the bars and more lessons. Trying to stay straight and sober was tough.
In 1995 Cathy played the CBC afternoon show.
She studied vocals and guitar at Malaspina College earning a creative writing scholarship for her poetry.
Cathy has played everywhere imaginable from Silver Star Ski Resort to Egg Island Light Station. She has busked with her children and her brother's children all over BC and Alberta.
Cathy plays rhythm guitar, sings harmony and lead vocals as well as holding down the bass guitar position. she is comfortable with Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks and Koko Taylor. Her repertoire includes every thing from classic rock to old country and jazz standards. She also has a ton of Celtic tunes and originals.
Vocal Guitarist: Johnny James
Johnny toured Canada and the United States with various bands, playing the blues and paying his dues.
Along the way he honed his song writing skills, learned a little bit of country and a lot about life.
He is an amazing singer, he can scream and shout or knock you out with the sweetest ballad.
Johnny plays a mean bass but it's his guitar that sings with the soul of a true blues man. His harmony vocals are impeccable.
From BB. King and Ben E. King to Robert Cray and even Ray Charles or Chuck Berry, Johnny has got the sound and the soul.
On the Drums: Bob Garnett
Bob started drumming as a teenager in Calgary and at seventeen started a three year stint with the Calgary Symphony Orchestra. He when on the road doing the bar and club circuit with various bands all over the country. He got a break with Cameron Molloy’s tour band and recorded some successful pop chart tunes that help improve his income and modes of travel. These tours over the next five years included county fairs, festivals and theatres in many Western States. Bob then worked in the studio plus playing theatres in Vancouver and Calgary. After taking some time off, he moved to the Island and is back playing again with various groups including Blue Gambit and the GreyNotes.