Uncle Pete’s All Star BBQ Blues Band

We have Mike Irish and Uncle Pete's BBQ Blues Band tearing it up friday Night at the Orpheum It's going to be a great show! Music about 8:30, doors around 7:30, $10 adults. $7 students or Senior Citizens, and $5 kids!

Uncle Pete's BBQ Blues Band is coming to The Orpheum Theater!! This Friday Night! Featuring some of the most amazing players in the Copper Country, Uncle Pete's offers a real variety of blues, not just the old standard Chicago Blues that many bands play. These guys use their horn section to venture into Blue Jazz, Kansas City, New Orleans and more

There is nothing more American than the Blues! And Uncle Pete’s All-­‐Star Barbeque Blues Band is ALL about the blues and Electric Americana! Since forming in August of 2008, the band has thrilled audiences in clubs, at festivals, and in concerts in Michigan with their diverse and dynamic music. UPASB3’s first home was the Library Brew Pub in Houghton where they played as a 4-­‐piece band every Thursday from September 2008 through January of 2009 highlighting the Library’s Texas Barbeque night. Boisterous crowds started to frequent the Pub and UPASB3 developed a loyal following. In response to audience enthusiasm, the band expanded its repertoire to include classic Electric Americana songs, and some original blues blues-­‐inflected tunes.

Riding on its initial wave of success, Uncle Pete’s started to perform at Summer Festivals, outdoor concerts, and clubs. In the summer of 2010 the original quartet added a unique 3-­‐piece saxophone section, the Tabascophones. Currently, the hard driving horn section, Hornucopia, adds an irresistible energy to the already-­‐popular group!

Dynamic sound + deep grooves with great vocals/stories + infectious jamming + high energy = Uncle Pete’s

This irresistible formula provides just the energy and creativity that you need! Sit back and leave the grooving to Uncle Pete’s All-­‐Star Barbeque Blues Band!


BOB HILTUNEN, lead guitar and lead vocals. Bob is one of the most charismatic and dynamic musician/entertainers to come out of the Copper Country! Deeply rooted in the electric blues tradition, he spins off great guitar solos in the spirit and sound of Albert Collins, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix. His joyous spirit and infectious energy is very evident in his vocals and songwriting, which take an audience for a ride that makes time stand still. Relax, put your feet up and let Bobby do the driving!

MIKE IRISH, rhythm guitar and background vocals. Mike has been playing professionally since 1967 and has covered just about every popular and jazz style imaginable. He takes great pride in creating an irresistible groove on each and every song. Mike also does the horn arranging for UPASB3.

MARK LUCIER, drums. “Da Loosh” is, without a doubt, a “total package” musician that can play any style of music and make it “alive!” At times being a member of 8 different bands in the area, he and Bob Hiltunen are perhaps the hardest working musicians in the Western U.P.. Rock, jazz, country, blues, ethnic music – you name it, Mark can play it! Blessed with an abundance of creativity, wit, and drive, he really gets gigs hoppin’!


DAN FUHRMANN, B3 and keyboards. “Blues Doctor” Fuhrmann’s playing is steeped in the blues, great Latin jazz piano, and straight-­‐ahead jazz. His seering B3 lines add the right spice to the Barbeque Blues mix! His vast knowledge of the idioms and great musicianship offer the complete blues sound to the Uncle Pete’s band.

SCOTT VEENSTRA, bass and background vocals. Scott (a.k.a. the Big Bodini) is the consummate groove bass player. He and “da Loosh” are joined at the hip when it comes to generating nasty, foot-­‐stompin’ energy. Man, he is solid, solid, solid! Scott also possesses a great voice, and is an outstanding trumpet player (as exhibited by his lead work in the funk band, Tuff Stuff). He has also been busy backing Copper Country/Nashville standout, Hannah Bethel and was a longtime member of Copper Island.

HORNUCOPIA – the fabulous horn section

JIM WEILER, trumpet/keys/vocals. “Wheels” is a veteran blues and rock musician. Recently inducted into the South Dakota Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, Jim has played throughout the United States. A soulful vocalist, a grooving keyboard player, and an outstanding lead trumpeter make perfectly suited to Hornucopia and Uncle Pete’s!

PAUL KERANEN, tenor sax. This is the “Elder” blues man in the section! Paul’s playing is a veritable history of Western U.P. and Wisconsin blues, rock and jazz groups. He loves being a section member of Hornucopia and is a dynamic soloist with UPASB3. The “Elder” currently makes his home in Lake Linden.

MANDY (Koko) KRAMER, trombone. If you want to make a horn section sound huge, get a rockin’ trombonist like Mandy. “Koko” provides the solid foundation of Hornucopia, and is a funky soloist to boot. Formerly the lead trombone player for the award-winning Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band, she is a wonderful musician, equally versed in jazz, blues, and rock.


Doors open after sound check
Show time around 8:30