Duane Betts-
The Betts name is a tough one to live up to. Dickey Betts is one of rock's most enduring icons. His work with the Allman Brothers is a vital section of the history of rock and roll. Dickey's son, Duane, has smartly chosen to begin to carve out his own niche in the world of rock. His current band, Backbone 69, is more reminiscent of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Crazy Horse (with and without Neil Young) than of the Brothers. The band also has two other members that are offspring of musical luminaries. Their solid drummer Alex Orbison is the son of the legendary baritone crooner Roy Orbison. Their frontman, guitarist/vocalist Chris Williams, is the son of a man who is quietly one of rock's great songwriters, Jerry Lynn Williams. Jerry has written for many rock musicians, and he is responsible for some of Eric Clapton's strongest recent material ("Pretending," "Forever Man," and "Running On Faith" to name a few). Bassist Damon Webb, and the energetic keyboardist James "Unity" Fuchs round out Backbone 69.
Pedro Arevalo-
Growing up in a musical family allowed Pedro many opportunities to experiment with a variety of different instruments. By age 10, he had developed a serious affinity for the electric bass and acoustic guitar. At the ripe ‘ole age of 11, he began performing. At 18 years old, Pedro was doing session work and production in styles as diverse as jazz, funk, reggae and hip-hop. His days were filled with teaching as many as 60 students per week.
In 1996, the 20 year old multi-instrumentalist received a performance scholarship to the acclaimed Berklee College of Music. Between the years of 1997 & 2001, Pedro completed his musical studies in Boston, MA, while performing with two popular West African band leaders, Djeli Balla Tounkara and his band “Mande Foli” & master drummer Sidi “Joh” Camara & his band “Jamajigi”, as well as his African drum and dance ballet “Troupe Sewa”.
With these well renowned musicians, Pedro played throughout New England and traveled to Mali, West Africa, to perform and study Mande and Bambara music. Upon his return to the states, Pedro ventured south to Florida to join the flamenco inspired group, The Lotus Fire. The summer of 2001 found Pedro touring Europe to support the release of the group’s album, “Dance of the Wicked”.
Pedro’s next endeavor, The Vine Street Rumba Band, brought him together with internationally credited drummer, Paul Cartwright, and the great band leader, Keith Greene, who for three decades was conductor, arranger ,and lead trumpeter of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. In 2003, Pedro produced the group’s only album, “Rumba Florida”. During the process of this recording, the young bass player left for Las Vegas for several weeks to perform under Greene’s direction, in the “Circus of Light” big band, in Sam Boyd Stadium.
With his return to Florida, Pedro spent time honing his craft and working with many artists. Through these few years, many came to notice his proficiency on a variety of instruments including the: Dobro, Contrabass, Steel Pan, Hawaiian Guitar, the West African Ngoni, the Moroccan Sintir, the Puerto Rican Cuatro, and of course, Bass and Guitar. Pedro incorporates many of these instruments in such musical styles as Jazz, Delta Blues, Salsa, Reggae, Calypso, Country, Rock, Folk & Ragtime.
During this time Pedro caught the ear of Rock N Roll Hall of Fame member and Grammy winning veteran, Dickey Betts, founding member of the The Allman Brothers Band. Betts asked Pedro to join his solo project, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, as full time bass player. Pedro has filmed a DVD entitled “Back Where It All Begins” with Betts and Great Southern, at The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, appeared on The Carson Daily Show as well as touring extensively with Dickey Betts & Great Southern, exciting thousands with his musical ability.
While home on breaks Pedro recorded his solo album entitled, “Pedro Arevalo & Friends,” released in September, 2005, with pre orders of the project reaching impressive numbers. The album features guest appearances by Dickey Betts, Mike Kach, T.C. Carr, Duane Betts and many others. The album is an interesting mix of Blues, Country, and Rock n Roll. With plans to tour in support of the album, Pedro continues to write, perform, and produce his eclectic mix of music.
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