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Jeff Weiss
Jeff lives in Cottage
Grove, Minnesota but grew up in western Wisconsin. Although he’s been playing
keyboards since he was 5, he didn’t pursue his band interests until his early
30’s when he helped form the band “Mastermind” where he played many local gigs.
Jeff has a wide
range of musical influences, including Styx, Joe Walsh, Boston, Elton John, Lynyrd
Skynyrd and his older brother Curt who was an accomplished guitar player, and
took Jeff to an Elvis Presley concert when Jeff was only 9 years old.
Jeff is a
welcomed addition to the 5th Street Bridge band, enabling us to play
some pretty cool tunes that feature keyboards.. Whether it’s a rockin’ piano
sound, Hammond organ or maybe some funky sound effects, Jeff’s got it covered.
He’s also been known to jump on the drums or pick up a guitar once in a while.
In his spare time, he uses his keyboards built-in16-track sequencer to record
his own stuff, although spare time for Jeff is pretty limited since he also has
a full-time day job and likes to spend quality time with his twin teenage
daughters.
Erik Olson
Erik is a Lead vocalist/ Bass player based primarily in Minneapolis, MN. Erik has played in musical groups such as Epilogue (hard rock),Political Ink (acoustic Folk), Oil and Water (original folk/rock), Blu Iris (hard rock) and the New Moons (Jam Band).
Erik was born in Golden Valley, Mn. and comes from a very musical family. He started singing when he was 6 yrs old in church choirs and learned guitar later to accompany his vocals. Erik has played extensive gigs in Minnesota such as The Taste of Minnesota 04, Arizona's bar, Heart Alive Event Center, Schullers, Golden Valley Fire Relief Street Dance,The A.B.A.T.E biker rally in Carver, and also at Lisa’s Place. Erik’s main musical influences are U2,Yes, the Grateful Dead, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and the Police. Erik's musical influences shine in his playing as does his vocal training.
Tom Donnohue
Tom Donnohue was born in Duluth, Minnesota. His Irish father worked as a concrete truck driver and his Italian mother was a library assistant. He has one younger sister. As a 16-year-old student at Duluth high school, Tom began playing the drums with " Thrust Band " , performing throughout northern Minnesota.In addition to being a University of Minnesota Duluth graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, he is also a skillful percussionist, playing the piano, tambourine, maracas, bells, chimes and tympani as well as drums.
Tom is a versatile Drummer having played with the local blues band, Soulmates, since 1992 while acting as a fill in percussionist throughout the years with bands of varying styles. Soulmates have delighted and impassioned audiences at the Fine Line Music Cafe, Glam Slam, the Cabooze, Whiskey Junction, and other top blues/rock venues in the Twin Cities area. Outdoor appearances have included the Lowertown Festival and RibFest in St.Paul, CedarFest in Minneapolis, the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, the New Ulm Blues Festival, and the LaCrosse Riverfront Festival in Wisconsin.
Tom has played intermittently, over the last ten years, with both Rob and Erik establishing the "tightness" that comes with musical relationships. He is the perfect fit. Tom brings a high level of professionalism to the 5th Street Bridge. He states, "5th Street Bridge plays music that I enjoy and that people will like".
Rodney Prouty
Enthusiastic and engaging, Rodney's husky voice creates depth and character to the 5th Street Bridge's amazing vocal lineup. Originally a drummer, Rodney complements the percussion lineup with congas, tambourine and harmonica. Rodney comes from a long line of musical heritage in the Rochester area. He has dipped in and out of the Twin Cities scene but has found permanence with 5th Street Bridge working out of St. Paul.
Rob O’Hara Graff
Rob is a great student of guitar having studied in the styles of classical, jazz, and rock. Rob has also studied with several university and music school programs in the Twin Cities. He has an unusual level of drive and willingness to learn the intricacies of his instrument. Playing guitar is the biggest part of who he is. Some of his musical influences are Eric Clapton, Santana, as well as blues and jazz greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmy Bruno, to name only a few. Rob has never limited his playing to one genre.
Rob is originally from Pennsylvania but has found a home in the Twin Cities as an educator while playing and teaching guitar. Rob lives in St. Paul Minnesota with his amazing wife and two incredible daughters. Rob has maintained a "day job" while playing with variety bands for 10+ years. Rob has played with August Winfield and Blue Iris while acting as an occasional fill in for others. Rob's experiences have included playing at Grumpy’s, Lisa’s Place, countless VFW's, private parties, and at the Taste of Minnesota in 2004 with Blue Iris. Rob loves his place with the 5th Street Bridge. He believes that this band has an incredible blend of music experience, personality, and creative vision. This band loves music and believes the best "gimmick is having incredible vocal and instrumental tightness".
rob@5thstreetbridge.com
I am embarrassed, how can I have left out such an important fact !!
A friend in Ireland, Brendan Morgan, writes:
"Your biog (see below) forgets to mention what makes the man. Sure it mentions the family, sure it mentions the guitar influenes, it even gives us a bit of Geography (Twin Cities, Pennsylvania, Minnesota).
But it neglected to mention that you love beer! How the hell did that happen? If Christy Unger was to hear about this mistake, he'd go crazy!
I hope you and your family are keeping well. The best of luck with the band, next time I'm over I'll have to go to a gig.
Good luck for now,
Brendan
I stand corrected Brendan
I must inform all in dedication to this error and point out as to exonerate myself with a message of wisdom: the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weakest brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Brendan, is why we always feel smarter after a few beers.
