ATLANTA, GA. (www.jamgrrl.com/ www.jakesroadhouse.net/calendar.htm) - Coming together in March 2001, Highway originated in 'The Region,' a tough blue-collar area southeast of
Chicago where hundreds of bands compete for recognition. They have risen to the challenge, delivering powerful onstage performances week after week, year after year. Solidly rooted traditional rock and blues musicians, the evolution of Highway readily includes influences by bands like the Allman Brothers Band, The Rolling Stones, and Cream.
A review by online music site, mbus.com on the members of Highway is quite complimentary. 'Vocalist David Varella sings with the passion of BB King, Ray Charles and Gregg Allman. Brothers John and Jim Bonick blaze on guitars. Blending their two instruments into one, they invoke Keith Richards and Brian Jones on those great early Stones records.
Tim Dailey's bass- playing is equal parts Bootsy Collins and Paul McCartney- funky and melodic. Drummer Corie Wilcox approaches the drum kit with the swing of Charlie Watts and the power of John 'Bonzo' Bonham. He is the real thing. Classically trained keyboardist Rick Hemphill provides the icing on the cake, and an air of sophistication to the raw rock and roll sound of Highway. All the members write great songs, and all contribute harmonies.' – mbus.com
To their credit, Highway has produced a 4-song ep self-titled, 'Highway,' a 12-song lp, 'Take the Ride,' a live studio DVD, and a 14-song live CD, 'The Blackdog Sessions.'
Their four-song demo CD caught the ears of Toby Meyers, who played bass in the 1970s for RCA recording act, Roadmaster, and who later spent two decades with John Mellencamp's band. A full-time producer, Meyers brought Highway downstate for a week last summer to lay down tracks for its debut album (Take The Ride).' – The Times, Tom Lounges
Highway Band has shared the stage with Jackyl, Lynyrd Skynyrd and played the Douglas Theater in Macon Georgia. Their original songs have been aired on WXRT Radio in Chicago, KOOL 101.9 Radio in Indianapolis, and XROCK 103.9 WXRD Valparaiso. Additional artists they've played alongside and/or opened for, include, White Snake, Warrant, Slaughter, Kip Winger, Tim Brooks, and Marc Ford.
Catching this band in Atlanta, December 18, 2004, for their performance at Jake's Toadhouse, will surely be an exciting, memorable time for the true rock 'n roll enthusiast.
