Todd Meredith: Buddy Holly Tribute

About

Todd has been portraying Buddy Holly for the past four years in tribute concerts across the nation and in productions of the hit musical BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. An actor/musician originally from Albany, NY, he now resides in New York City. His most recent tribute concert, the aforementioned THE NIGHT THE MUSIC LIVED, took place in September at the BB King's Blues Club in New York City and received a standing ovation. They will remount the show there again on February 2nd, the actual anniversary of the last concert Buddy performed. Upon completing his highly successful eleventh run of Buddy the musical at the Lyceum Theatre in Missouri, Todd and his newly formed band, The Rave-Ons, are back on the east coast and ready to bring the innocent joy of Buddy's music to your party or function. He’s joined by Bill Morey , who performers daredevil tricks with his upright bass, Joe Cosmo Cogen with his cartoon like facial expressions on drums, and Jeremy Renner tearing up solos on electric guitar. They have played together all over the country, delighting audiences in New York City, Reno, Memphis, Jacksonville, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, and Illinois. Unlike other tribute bands of the same nature, all members of The Rave-Ons are in their twenties, giving the performance a youthful energy and exuberance that cannot be matched. Yet, those that have witnessed them perform have experienced a high level of professionalism and musicianship that goes far beyond their years. They are also incredibly friendly, easy going, and great to work with.

This band is great for all ages and multiple generations. Bring your kids and grandkids and watch them fall in love with the music that you grew up on. It's just great fun that will have you singing along and dancing in your seats. Keep Buddy's legacy and music alive by booking this act today.

Band member bios:

Todd Meredith was born in Buffalo and now lives in New York City. Though playing guitar and singing in bands throughout high school and college, he started his performing career as a theater actor immediately out of college. In summer of 2007, he took on the role of Buddy Holly in the jukebox musical entitled BUDDY: the Buddy Holly Storyat a small theater in Gloversville, NY and fell in love with the legendary rock and roller’s music and story. Over the past five years, he has now starred as Buddy in 11 productions of the musical across the country in New York, Tennessee, Colorado, New Jersey, Florida, Missouri, Illinois, and Arizona. Perhaps his favorite was performing with his two fellow members of the Rave-Ons in Reno, Nevada at the El Dorado Casino Showroom.
The natural progression was to start a Buddy Holly tribute band with his favorite “Crickets” and perform live concerts throughout the northeast. Todd has also performed as one of the lead males in four productions of the Johnny Cash musical, Ring Of Fire, as well as in a Beatles Live Request Tribute Concert entitled Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!: a Concert Celebration, for which he learned over 100 Beatles songs. He has released two Buddy Holly tribute albums. The first was released in 2009 under the name, NOT FADE AWAY, and includes six updated Buddy Holly covers as well as six original songs he wrote with fellow Buddy Holly impersonator, Anthony Rand. The second, ROCK, RHYTHM, and BLUES, was released in 2011 and includes 15 of Todd’s favorite Buddy Holly tunes which he kept very true to the originals. You can learn more about Todd or purchase these albums at www.toddmeredith.com.

Bill "The Kid" Morey is an upcoming artist in the Rockabilly genre. After performing as Joe B. Mauldin in his favorite musical (The Buddy Holly Story), his interest in the style grew. Before discovering rock and roll, Bill was a trombone classical performance major at SUNY Purchase College in Purchase, NY, where he studied with James Markey, bass trombonist of the NY Philharmonic. He's performed as a trombonist in brass ensembles, big bands, orchestras, and small group ensembles. He's also performed as a duel trombone/bass pit musician. Following completion of three different Buddy Holly Storyproductions, Bill became the bassist for The Renegade Kings, a rockabilly band based out of Long Island. They perform the best of rockabilly and outlaw country rock withgreatmusic by; Johnny Cash, Eddie Cochran, Stray Cats, Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Reverend Horton Heat, Jerry Lee Lewis, Junior Brown, the Blasters and more! For more info, please check out: www.BillMorey.org

Joe Cogen is originally from Marietta, Georgia and currently resides in NYC. He began playing drum kit at eight years old. Over a fifteen year span, he has studied with many well known names in the fields of drumset, marching, world, and concert percussion. Some of those names include Phil Smith, Frank Iglesias, Chris Romanowski, Dr. Susan Powell, and Joe Krygier. He recieved his bachelors degree in Music Performance in Orchestral Percussion from The Ohio State University. Joe began his professional music career in 2009 as a pit musician for the Surflight Summerstock Theatre in Beach Haven, NJ. This is where he first met Bill and Todd when the three were cast in Surflightʼs production of BUDDY: The Buddy Holly Storyin the late summer of 2009. Since then, Joe has not only maintained a steady career as a musical theatre musician, but has created a name for himself as an actor/musician as well, being cast in four separate regional productions of BUDDYin the role of Cricket drummer Jerry Allison. After performing Buddy Hollyʼs music for almost 200 live audiences, his love for this genre has only grown stronger.


Jeremy Renner: An accomplished guitar player since the age of 16, Jeremy brings to the band tasteful complimentary rhythms along with face melting rockabilly solos. He hails from southern New Jersey where he recently played guitar and acted in a production of RING OF FIRE, the Johnny Cash musical, with the Ocean Professional Theater Company. He began playing with the other three members of the Rave-Ons in Reno, where he played Tommy Allsup in the Jersey Shore Entertainment production of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. He also writes his own original music and tours the east coast circuit with fellow guitar player/songwriter Matt Fisher.

Personnel

Todd Meredith: Buddy-Guitar
Joe Cosmo Cogen: Jerry-Drums
Bill Morey: Joe B.-Bass
Jeremy Renner: Nikki-Guitar
Jayar Garcia: Optional Ritchie Valens Impersonator
Chuck Caruso: Optional Big Bopper Impersonator
Tim Reilly: Optional Big Bopper Impersonator
Greg Nix: Optional Saxophone Player
Dennis Michael Keefe: Optional Saxophone Player
Robert AK Gonyo: Optional Trumpet Player
Zachary Michael Barnett: Optional Ritchie Valens Impersonator
Ryan Jagru: Optional Ritchie Valens Impersonator

Influences

Buddy Holly and the Crickets!!!

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 30 - 180 minutes

Audience members will receive a high energy rock show from very talented musicians. The typical Rave-Ons set includes 45 minutes to an hour of Buddy Holly's best know songs with some interesting and funny stories in between about Buddy's life and career. For theaters, they have performed two sets with an intermission. For bars, weddings, or longer parties, they have well over a hundred songs and hours of material in their repetoire from the 50's rockabilly catalogue, and they are always willing to branch out and learn requested songs for particular clients.

They also offer the tribute show, THE NIGHT THE MUSIC LIVED, a 90 minute recreation of the final concert of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. Using information gathered from documentaries, books, and the memories of musicians at the show, all the songs from that memorable concert are played with utmost attention to detail and accuracy. Audience members learn exactly what happened that fateful night through monologues by the performers in between each set. Featuring classic songs like That'll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, It's So Easy, La Bamba, Oh Donna, and Chantilly Lace,The Night The Music Lived is a sure fire hit at theatrical venues and corporate events.

Their shows are always a crowd favorite and appeal to the entire family. They have played a variety of venues from theaters, to bars, to churches, and even retirement homes. You name the venue and they will make the show work for you.

Additional Notes:
Tech rider can be provided upon request. Todd's band will perform anywhere, no matter what the stage and lighting of your venue permits. Musicians provide their own amps and instruments at no extra charge. If the event planner can provide us with microphones, P.A. system, and monitors that would be preferable, but is not necessary. We can provide these services for a nominal extra fee.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
By Buddy Holly:
That'll Be The Day
Rock Around With Ollie Vee
Everyday
Not Fade Away
Peggy Sue
Oh Boy
Words Of Love
Think It Over
It's So Easy
I'm Lookin' For Someone To Love
It Doesn't Matter Anymore
Maybe Baby
Peggy Sue Got Married
Heartbeat
Well..All Right
Learning The Game
True Love Ways
Raining In My Heart
Rave On
It's Too Late
Dearest
Last Night
Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues
I'm Gonna Love You Too
Early In The Morning
Baby Won't You Come Out Tonight
Blue Days Black Nights
Changing All Those Changes
Crying, Waiting, Hoping
Down The Line
I'm Gonna Set My Foot Right Down On You
Love's Made A Fool Of You
Midnight Shift
Reminiscin'
Rock Me My Baby
Take Your Time
You're So Square (Baby I Don't Care)

By Ritchie Valens:
La Bamba
Come On Let's Go
You're Mine
Oh Donna
Framed
To Know Her Is To Love Her
Ooo My Head
Boney Maronie

By the Big Bopper:
Chantilly Lace
White Lightning
Running Bear
Big Bopper's Wedding
The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor
Little Red Riding Hood

By Bill Haley and the Comets:
Rock Around The Clock
Rock This Joint
See You Later Alligator
Shake Rattle & Roll

By Bo Diddley:
Bo Diddley
Who Do You Love?

By Carl Perkins:
Blue Suede Shoes
Boppin' The Blues
Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby
Honey Don't
Matchbox
Put Your Cat Clothes On

By Chuck Berry:
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Johnny B Goode
Maybellene
My Ding A Ling
Rock & Roll Music
Roll Over Beethoven

By Eddie Cochran:
C'mon Everybody
Eddie's Blues
Hallelujah! I Love Her So
Summertime Blues
Twenty Flight Rock

By Elvis Presley:
All Shook Up
Blue Moon Of Kentucky
Don't Be Cruel
Hound Dog
Jailhouse Rock
Little Sister
My Baby Left Me
That's Alright Mama

By Gene Vincent:
Be Bop A Lula
Blues Stay Away From Me
Cruisin'
Double Talkin' Baby
Race With The Devil

By Johnny Burnette:
Drinkin Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee
Lonesome Train
Sweet Love On My Mind
Train Kept A Rollin'

By Johnny Cash:
Big River
Boy Named Sue
Country Boy
Cry Cry Cry
Cocaine Blues
Folsom Prison Blues
Get Rhythm
I Walk The Line
Rock Island Line
Rock & Roll Ruby
Rockabilly Blues
Straight A's In Love

By Jerry Lee Lewis:
Real Wild Child
Whole Lotta Shakin Going On

By Little Richard
Long Tall Sally
Ready Teddy
Rip It Up

Todd's band is ready to accommodate with any type of rock and roll music if necessary-oldies, classic, or modern. If there's a certain set list you'd like or songs you'd like them to learn, let Todd know and they'd be happy to oblige.

Most recent set list at the VFW in Corning, NY included along with Buddy Holly hits:

Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix
Surrender-Cheap Trick
Tequila
I Feel Fine-The Beatles
Come Together-The Beatles
The Wanderer-Dion
Fortunate Son- CCR
We Gotta Get Outta This Place-The Animals
I Fought The Law and the Law Won
Twist and Shout
Rock This Town-Stray Cats
Secret Agent Man

Performance Schedule

11-09-2013 — Roxy and Dukes Roadhouse, Dunellen, NJ
09-21-2013 — Black Hat Glitz n Glamour Dinner, Jacksonville, FL
09-20-2013 — Northwest Florida Black Hat Divas Sorority Weekend, Jacksonville, FL
09-07-2013 — BB King Blues Club, NYC
08-17-2013 — Ocean Professional Theater, NJ
07-20-2013 — New Theater, Kansas City, KS
06-18-2013 — Cortland Repertory Theater, Cortland, NY
05-31-2013 — Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Past Booked Dates:

04-17-2013 — Arlene's Grocery, NYC
04-12-2013 — Corner House Foundation, Princeton, NJ
04-10-2013 — Arlene's Grocery, NYC
04-03-2013 — Arlene's Grocery, NYC
03-16-2013 — Apache Junction PAC, Apache Junction, AZ
03-13-2013 — Palm Creek RV Resort, Casa Grande, AZ
03-12-2013 — Sunland Village East, Mesa, AZ
03-11-2013 — Palmas Del Sol, Mesa, AZ
02-22-2013 — Roxy and Duke Roadhouse Lounge, Dunnelan, NJ
02-12-2013 — Arlene's Grocery, NYC
02-02-2013 — BB King Blues Club, NYC
01-04-2013 — Connolly's Pub NYC
01-03-2013 — Arlene's Grocery, NYC
11-25-2012 — New York Autofest Benefitting Hurricane Sandy Relief, Commack, NY
09-03-2012 — BB King's Blues Club, NYC
08-25-2012 — Lyceum Theatre, Arrow Rock, MI
07-21-2012 — Hemlock Farms Community Association, Lord Valley, PA
07-04-2012 — Breezy Point Surf Club, Breezy Point, NY
07-01-2012 — Forestburgh Playhouse, Forestburgh, NY
05-03-2012 — Alhambra Theatre, Jacksonville, FL
12-31-2011 — Ocean County College Arts and Community Center, Tom's River, NJ
12-28-2011 — Green Oceanaire Briar Men's Club, Waretown, NJ
08-05-2011 — Forestburgh Playhouse, Forestburgh, NY
06-11-2011 — VFW Post 524, Corning, NY
06-09-2011 — Williams College 50th Anniversary Celebration, Williamstown, MA
04-03-2011 — El Dorado Casino Showroom, Reno, NV
02-25-2011 — 3rd Street Bar, Reno, NV
10-09-2010 — Green Oceanaire Brair Men’s Club, Waretown, NJ
08-23-2010 — Surflight Theater, Beach Haven, NJ
08-22-2010 — Buckalew's Restaurant and Bar, Beach Haven, NJ
08-28-2009 — Trinity Church, Winchester, VA
08-15-2009 — Surflight Theater, Beach Haven, NJ
01-18-2009 — Carousel Theater. Fort Collins. CO
08-21-2008 — Playhouse on the Square, Memphis, TN
04-23-2008 — Broadway Palm West, Mesa, AZ
02-03-2008 — Circa 21 Theater, Rock Island, IL
09-21-2007 — Broadway Palm, Fort Myers, FL
07-05-2007 — Glove Theater, Gloversville, NY

Experience

2007: 80 gigs
2008: 157 gigs
2009: 36 gigs
2010: 3 gigs
2011: 64 gigs
2012: 84 gigs
2013: 2 gigs (so far)

View Complete Calendar

http://www.rave-ons.com/#/schedule/4563807261

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Bachelorette Party, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Bridal Shower, Casino, Christmas Party, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Corporate Event, Cruise, Dinner Dance, Fair, Festival, Fundraiser, Grand Opening, Holiday Party, Hotel, Parade, Private Party, Restaurant, Reunion, Sporting Event, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Workshop