Rachel & The Beatnik Playboys is a band comprised of four professional
musicians with long histories in playing roots/americana, blues,
country, rock, jazz and swing. In this project their goal has been to
embrace all of their musical influences and combine them into an
overall sound that seeks to find what the best of these styles have in
common.
In any given performance, one might hear Junior Wells or Kitty
Wells, George Jones, or the Rolling Stones, and anything in between.
While many bands in these days try to stay tightly focused to a specific
genre, The Beatnik Playboys feel that their audiences, like themselves,
can love a lot of different musical styles. The band's unique
arrangements and genuine love for their material, always leave the
audiences wanting more.
Rachel & The Beatnik Playboys: Bio
Rachel Wearsch
Rachel Wearsch is an experienced singer,multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. She has been playing and studying music for over 25 years. She holds a master in music education with a classical piano/choral emphases. Rachel has performed professionally since the age of 12. She has opened for many top artists including Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Loretta Lynn, Ray Stevens, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Vern Gosdin, Clint Black , Alan Jackson, Aaron Tippin, Bill Monroe, Little Jimmy Dickens, Southern Pacific, Ricky Scaggs and The Judds. She has played with many local bands including "The Damn Band"(1991-93, 1998-2001), "New Frontier" (with the Sanders Brothers, Jeff Rice & Joe Morris) 1988-91), "Blue Moon Express" (with Joe Smith 2002-2003), "Sidewinder" (1995-97), "Buckshot" (1987-88) and "Kalico" (1984-87)
Bill Watson
BILL WATSON has had an extensive and successful career out of performing music for many years. Currently, you can also find Bill playing with "The Numbers Band" (since 1990), "Hillbilly Idol" (since 1990), "Alex Bevan" (since 1988) and "Clearfork" (since 1990). Some of you may remember seeing Bill perform with "The Damn Band" (1991), "Reckless Abandon" (1987), "Mimi Hart & The Bopkats" (1984-86), "Deadly Ernest & The Honky Tonk Heroes" (1981-84), "Gopher Broke Swing Band" (1977-1981), "Smackinrrouge" and "Better 'n Bacon Band" (pre 1977).
Steve Downey
STEVE DOWNEY is a talented multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He has played music professionally for many years. Steve was the co-founder of the original "Immortal Porpoises" (1976-78). He has also played and traveled with "Mimi Hart &The Bobcats" (1984-86) and Alex Bevan (1979-82). Others include "The Ordinairs" (1996-97), "The Smithtones" (1989), "Sensational Dreams" (1982-83) and "Good Company" (1975).
Roy King
Roy King has had the pleasure of performing with living legends like Mose Allison,
Bucky Pizzerelli, Eddie Bo, Johnny Gimble and Jay McShann to great local heroes such
as Alex Bevan, the Gopher Broke Swing Band, pianists Mike Petrone and Joe Hunter.
Roy currently teaches drums and percussion at Woodsys Music in Kent and Medina,
as well as leading his own jazz trio which plays at Nighttown in Cleveland, Ohio.
"I always wanted to be a beatnik and a playboy.", says Roy. " Now I can be both!"
www.singeruniverse.com best vocalist finalist
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March 2008
Rachel's song "Just Go On" has been added to Moozikoo.com' s BEST OF INDIE Compilation CD. It and will be available for downloads in the near future.
February 2008
Rachel's song "When it Comes to You" has been selected to be on the Indie Music for Life 2008 Compilation CD.
www.singeruniverse.com competition winner
Rachel was a top 5 winner in Singer Universe's vocal competition. Check out her entry and the other finalists on www.singeruniverse.com. She will become a gold artist on www.radioindy.com and her songs will be promoted on their many online radio stations. She will also have a web page on www.radioindy.com.
History
Rachel grew up surrounded with music. Besides having a very musical family, Rachel's parents owned (and still do) a facility called "The Music Barn" which housed a weekly jam session for local country musicians. Instead of a having the typical hobbies of a teenager, Rachel performed professionally full time while she finished school. She has always loved to play different instruments, write songs and spend time with other
musicians.
Radio Station List
Radio Station List
KRIM LP FM 96.3 Payson, AR
KKUP Santa Cruz, CA
WAPS 91.3 The Summit FM Akron, OH
WSCA 106.1 FM Portsmouth, NH
WFSS-FM Acoustic Planet-Fayetteville, NC
Grateful Dread Radio, Baltimore, MD
WXOU FM Rochester, MI
WUSC FM Columbia, SC
Western's Public Radio (Barren River Breakdown, Bowling Green, KY
KSER 90.1 FM Everett, WA