meet the band
Mechelle Simpson
Rhythm Keyboard - Female Lead Vocalist
Mechelle is an accomplished and versatile vocalist who has been on TV and performed in front of live audiences since the age of five.
She grew up singing with her legendary singer-songwriter father, Red Simpson, of Bakersfield, California, who penned hits for Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, among others.
She has performed at a number of venues locally and out of town, including the prominent Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, CA.
Mechelle is a self-taught rhythm keyboardist, but singing moves her soul like no other instrument can. She is also a poet and enjoys writing original songs, with some of her work being published and recorded.
Mechelle enjoys performing various genres of music and while her roots run deep into Country music, her soul remains firmly ingrained in the Blues.
Raul Maysonet
Lead Guitar - Lead & Backing Vocals
Born in Long Island, NY, Raul started playing at the age of 11 and became heavily influence by blues music. While still a teenager, Raul moved to the Pensacola area, and played locally in school contests.
Raul toured with Troy Shondell, founder of The Shondells, and Joey Rand, who fronted Bill Haley & the Comets.
He's had the opportunity to play shows with the Coasters, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Freddy Fender and also played with many other groups locally.
In 2007, Raul was a heavy contender in the international Blues challenge in Memphis, TN. Raul continues to perfect his craft and enjoys pursuing new musical challenges
Steve Tirpak
Drums, Percussion - Lead & Backing Vocals
A San Diego, CA native, Steve began playing drums at the age of ten, and with the encouragement of his brother, learned to sing while playing the drums. Upon learning the art of vocalizing, Steve realized he had a natural ear for hearing the interval harmony parts of a song using major/minor 3rds, 5ths, and octaves. A great asset to have for any band, especially a vocal band.
While growing up in San Diego, Steve played in various top 40 local bands before moving on to Corpus Christi, TX. While in Texas, Steve became acquainted with the south Texas Blues and Country music scenes performing with various local bands. After four years in Texas, a short jaunt overseas found Steve playing with the local artists of the area.
His travels then took him to the Memphis, TN music scene, where he felt right at home listening and jamming with musicians in the city’s famous ‘Bealle’ street location. After a short stay in Memphis, Steve made a permanent move to Pensacola, FL, where he has been playing in local bands along the Gulf Coast ever since.
Charlie Powell
Bass Guitar - Backing Vocals
As a Pensacola native, Charlie began playing drums at the age of 13. He got his first set of drums at 15 and began playing professionally in local Country, Rock & Funk bands. At the age of 18, he transitioned from drums to the bass guitar and became the bass player for various artists along the Florida panhandle.
Charlie’s musical influences are broad and range from Jazz, Soul, Blues, Rock, Funk, and Motown. Some of his influences are Sam & Dave, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Allman Brothers, Zepplin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Average White band, and Tower of Power, to name a few.
Throughout the years, Charlie has sidelined as a session musician, for several local known recording studios, and his longest running gig, of 16 years, was with The Raven Band.
Recently, he fell in with a West Coast drummer and a Northeast Coast guitar player and landed in the “Touch of Blue” band. “Life is good,” Charlie says, “Come see us rock!”
EDDIE CARNES
Keyboards
A Baltimore, MD native, Eddie moved to Pensacola, FL while serving in the Navy as a young man.
Influenced by Jon Cleary, Eddie began his musical journey as a self-taught keyboardist at the age of 25. Eddie’s love of music includes Jazz and New Orleans style Blues, but he also enjoys playing many different styles of music.
Eddie's first band played at the Northside Lounge with Pete and Repete Rogers. This trio would go on to play a total of 20 years together, with a 13 year stint as the Freestyle Band, at the Foxx Landing club in Pensacola, FL.
Eddie has an impressive and extensive history playing in and around the Pensacola area with some locally well known bands and musicians. He's also had the pleasure of opening shows for some top music stars such as: Conway Twitty, John Anderson, Percy Sledge, and the list goes on!