MEET THE BAND
Mike Blake
Lead Vocals, Guitars, Percussion
Mike has been playing music in and around the Chicago area since he was a wee lad. Formerly performing with Albatross, The JD Jam Band, Blake, Seeler, Jungels, and most recently 3D, he's now having a blast now playing in the Wilson River Band. Mike shares lead vocal duties and also lends wonderful harmonies using his rich baritone voice. An avid guitarist and drummer, Mike plays both acoustic and electric guitars, as well as percussion, lending variety to the band’s sound.
Tom Fezzey
Bass Guitar, Vocals
Tom Fezzey credits his saxophone playing father and piano playing mother for his interest in music. Tom started piano lessons in 1959 and tenor saxophone lessons in 1961. He began playing guitar in 1964 and bass guitar in 2000. He studied music theory and classical guitar in college and minored in music, graduating in 1974. Tom currently plays lead guitar and sings background vocals with The Funcles as well as playing bass guitar and singing with the Wilson River Band. Formerly Tom played bass guitar for Jamestown Massacre, Generation, The Vinyl Highway Band, Night People and Diva Montell. Tom is really excited about the musical chemistry the members of the Wilson River Band have achieved.
Bob Lake
Lead Vocals, Piano
Bob is a classically trained pianist, having started piano lessons at the age of five. He developed his pop skills at the piano after seven years of classical training and his tenor voice in high school. He is a member of Elgin Master Chorale, an audition choir specializing in classical choral works and is a featured tenor soloist with Studio 10, an Elgin-based vocal group. Bob’s vocal abilities and piano skills give the Wilson River Band a real advantage in the range of repertoire we can play. Bob appreciates the opportunity of working with such talented musicians and creating great music with the Wilson River Band.
Jerry Palma
Drums
Jerry became enamored with percussion instruments at the age of 11, when observing a Chicago Southern Baptist service drummer rise the congregation to their feet in joyful celebration. He noticed the impact on people the drums could produce. Trained in Jazz drumming in elementary, high school and college Jerry always had his preference in classic rock. After time spent raising a family, Jerry has played with “Group Therapy” since 2004, a family and friends’ band that brought him and the others back to their musical roots. Sitting in on open mic nights with Shirley King and Tony Smith band, Jerry has had opportunities to play in Colorado, Scotland, Prague and Cuba. Jerry looks forward to this opportunity of a lifetime joining the Wilson River Band as they begin ever expanding opportunities.
Steve Wieland
Keys, Vocals
Steve's passion for music began at the tender age of three as he was adding harmonies to any song that was filling the air around him. Fast-forward several years, Steve could often be found taking great joy in honing his musical chops. He had trained for years on organ, piano, guitar, and other instruments, as well as having studied music theory in college. This prepared him for staff positions that he held at a few churches leading contemporary worship bands over a 25-year span. A veteran of the Chicago area music scene with different bands, Steve enjoys lending the ethereal sounds of strings and flute, or the soulful offerings of saxophone, harmonica, and organ, all on his trusted Yamaha keyboard. And, of course he's still enjoying adding those vocal harmonies as part of the Wilson River Band. Steve is thrilled to be making music with this incredibly talented group of musicians and is excited to see where this musical journey leads.
Paul Wieland
Lead Guitar, Vocals
The Beatles inspired Paul to pick up the guitar at the age of eight and he's been passionate about the instrument ever since. He started lessons at age 8 and was performing with his first rock band at the age of 13. Through the years he has developed a well-rounded style by studying many different genres including acoustic fingerstyle, altered tunings, jazz and classical. However, his first music love was and always will be playing electric guitar in a rockin’ good band, so he’s crazy about being a part in the birth of the Wilson River Band. Previously he spent about 15 years playing lead guitar with Field Day, a popular Chicago-area cover band. Paul really enjoys the repertoire the Wilson River Band is building and adding his spin on guitar to each of the songs.