Rick Holmes and the Stratatones

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Rick Holmes and the Stratatones is a funky-blues based group featuring three of Milwaukee's heaviest hitters. Rick Holmes is reigning champ of the bass in Milwaukee. He plays with a funky pocket like no other. Dave Braun mans the drum kit and lays down a fierce groove that infects everyone that touches it. PJ Barth rounds out the trio with his mix of traditional blues and R+B style of guitar playing mixed with his own take on the genre. His playing is ferocious yet tender and adds soul dripping vocals to every tune. This is THE power trio to see. Don't miss the magic!

Excerpt from Front Page News Bio: When you ask anyone who is familiar with the local music scene about bass players in Milwaukee, Rick Holmes will be on the top of (or at least close to the top of) everybody's list.

This multi WAMI award winner has been playing the Southeast Wisconsin scene full time since 1993. Besides running jam sessions at all of Milwaukee's hotspots (Mustang Shelly's, Kokopelli's, 6-Points Pub, Up & Under Pub to mention a few), he has found time to tour with local blues master Reverend Raven, as well as having toured with internationally renowned blues legends Bryan Lee, Jimmy Reed, and Albert King.

Over recent years, you could see Rick playing as a regular with Soul Patrol, Chesterfield Kings, South Bound, Zoot Suit Boogie, and The Stratatones.

Dave Braun is a long time associate (hmmm should that be accomplice?) of Rick's and for many years played a regular weekly gig at Mustang Shelly's with him. He is an occassional player in The Danny Miller Band, the Swing-O-Matics the Moseley's, and Scott Finch and the Blues-O-Delics.

Dave is a seasoned veteran has played with many local bands. He has been known to exchange sticks for mallets and perform on vibes.

In addition, Dave is a very talented "Glass" Artist. Visit his website at:
davebglass.com

Patrick J Barth (or PJ as his friends and fans call him), is a relative newcomer to the Milwaukee music scene. He has been playing guitar for nearly 10 years but only in the last couple of years has he become a professional.

Patrick (or PJ as his friend call him). Began his musical career at a very early age. His older brother Chris was a drummer and he sat PJ in front of the set when he was just two or three. Immediatly PJ knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. The first tune he ever learned on drums ws "Pour Some Suger on Me" by Def Leppord. Chris fondly remembers his tiny brother saying, "If a guy with one arm can play it, my little butt can!"

Chris seeing PJ take to music carved out a piece of wood to look like a guitar so when he played drums, his brother could play guitar and sing along with him. PJ began playing a real guitar at age 15. He never looked back. He spent years playing in the basement honing his craft and finding his true voice in the blues. Listening to Jimi Hendrix, BB King and Buddy Guy CD's he soaked up every guitar lick he could figure out.

By age 22, PJ was ready to show what he could do at local open jams. Soon after he joined numerous bands around Milwaukee and played everywhere he could. His love for all music has made him a true asset in almost any genre. From blues, to rock, to soul and R&B, to country, PJ is an excellent addition to any band.

His playing style while rooted in traditional blues and old school R&B mixed in with his own blend of soul but he is comfortable in various styles and genres. Along with playing guitar, his singing is incendiary. His singing is reminiscent of old gospel and blues singers. He has played with Milwaukee area music "giants" such as Dianna Jones, Big O, Benny Reno, Mark Pannier, Terry James, to name a few.

As more information on this band becomes available online I will try to post it here.