Blues Drivers

The Blues Drivers are an amalgam of experienced blues musicians based in NE Tennessee, assembled by Duane "Catfish" Frye, one of the area's finest harmonica players. Catfish turned his focus to blues harp sort of late in life (age 44) but rapidly excelled under the tutelage of Jason Ricci and others, and within a short period of time had formed the Catfish Frye Band, a very popular band that had a five-year run in the Tri-Cites area of TN. Catfish has been featured in a number of bands and recording projects in recent years, working with area favorites such as Billy Crawford and Victor Lawson. On guitar, and sharing the lead vocalist role, is Jimmie D from Greeneville, TN. He has been a fixture in the blues scene for many years and brings a deep knowledge of the classic blues styles (Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and many others) along with the "chops" to flawlessly perform more modern material, covering bands such as the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Paladins, and those fronted by B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Ronnie Earl. In the Blues Drivers, Catfish is encouraged to take most of the lead instrument roles on harp, while Jimmie plays impeccable rhythm guitar..., but Jimmie is more than capable of delivering soulful guitar leads, when it's his turn to step up. He is also a skilled lead vocalist with a unique sound and fronts his own band that includes top-shelf, Greeneville-based musicians. The junior member of the band is Jamey Gillenwater, who plays killer bass guitar and delivers much of the lead vocals. Jamey was a key member of the Catfish Frye Band for a couple of years. This guy comes more from the rock world (his early work), but his deeper, "growly" vocal style fits wonderfully into the blues, and he excels in covering material from the likes of Lazy Lester, ZZ Top, and the Butterfield Blues Band. Jamey brings a ton of energy to the band, with a very animated style of singing and playing. Besides the Blues Drivers, Jamey often performs in Victor Lawson's trio called Boogie Chillen'. The rhythm section of the Blues Drivers is rounded-out by Brian Seiler on drums, who embraces a Chicago-blues style. No surprise here, since he grew up in the Midwest. He relocated his family to Kingsport, TN in the late 80's and moved into successful area bands in the late 90's, including the Hoo Doos, the Annie Robinette Band, and the Real Life Heavies. He had crossed paths with Jimmie D when they occasionally played in back-up bands for the great Wallace Coleman (old-school harp legend and protege of Robert "Junior" Lockwood) and Samantha Gray, a regional favorite. Ultimately, it was Catfish Frye who stitched things together and formed the Blues Drivers during the COVID years, when many musicians were struggling to find footholds. The band quickly gelled and developed a sound and set list that pays respect to the blues genre and helps to educate audiences. The band honed its sound in many of the "Catfish Frye Blues Throwdowns" that Duane arranged at the Model City Tap House in Kingsport, TN. The band greatly appreciates their fan base and always aims to deliver the best of the blues!