Country music has come to Brooklyn. Not long ago making a statement like that on Flatbush Avenue would have been dismissed with a sneering, “Fahgettaboudit!” But times have changed and the twang that made Nashville famous has two-stepped out of Dixie and into the hearts of a new generation of music fans nationwide. So much so that even the venerable rock ‘n’ roll institutions in the Big Apple have started showcasing more country music acts and events.
At the forefront of the burgeoning scene is The Blue Star Band from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Playing an exciting mix of modern and classic country favorites with a few southern rock gems, this five-piece band transforms any room into a rowdy honky-tonk and guarantees to get the line dancing started.
The band was formed by drummer Tony Ieva who is a long time veteran of the New York music scene. Despite the growing popularity for country music on the national level, Tony recognized the shortage of country music venues and acts in the area. “I wanted to offer something very unique and different to New York that you can’t get on any local radio stations or in any of the clubs.”
The group takes its name from the Blue Star Families, an organization the supports military families, such as Tony’s, whose nephew serves in the U.S. Marines and is on his third tour of combat in Afghanistan. An active supporter of the U.S. armed forces, Tony organized a benefit concert series called Rockin’ For Our Troops. Over the past four years the event has entertained scores of military personnel and their families and raised money for Wounded Warriors, The USO and Operation Gratitude.
The Blue Stars are made up of the cream of the area’s country music crop and is fronted by lead singer Janice Higgins whose voice easily moves from whiskey-soaked sultry to soaring soprano. Guitarist John Carini is as much at ease coaxing the legendary Bakersfield sound from his slinky Telecaster as he is the smooth cosmopolitan tones of Nashville while Jeff Lampert effortlessly intertwines each song with smooth and haunting riffs from his pedal steel. John Truelove rounds out the rhythm section with his solid bass lines and his down-home tenor is featured on several numbers when he takes over lead vocals.
The Blue Star Band performs regularly in the New York area at clubs, festivals, benefits and private parties. For more information on the band and upcoming shows, visit their website www.thebluestarband.com or email band leader Tony Ieva at RINGOS12@AOL.COM.
