Jeff

Jeff (Rev)

Keyboards, Vocals and Percussions

Having grown up in a poor, black, share-cropping family, livin’ in Mississippi, it was only natural for Jethro (Rev.) to want to become the next Alaskan dog sled racing champion.

After snapping back to reality, I remembered I was a native St. Louisan in the shadow of the biggest and best brewery in the world. (A/B) and now was in the “burbs”. (Maplewood, MO.)

My musical “career” began in, hummm, 4^th grade with the trumpet. So I was 9? Continued with that for quite a while!

I guess, I was about 12 years old when I picked up my first guitar and loved it! I continued to play trumpet as well and eventually won first chair in the junior high school orchestra brass section, but the guitar was my lasting love. And that pretty much set the “stage”. After all, who ever heard of a “rock star” playing the trumpet?

The early years were, of course, literally “garage” bands. But I hooked up with the right guys and we made a run for it. I believe at that time we were known as “Shire”. Did pretty well actually! In addition to “cover” music we were writing our own songs and they worked! School dances, public & private parties, did some bar gigs, (even though we were under-age and too young to drive. My mom managed us and drove us)

During the high school years I met a bunch of great musicians. This is when I met Dan. (Guitar, vocals & harmonica) He may not remember, but I think I showed him some of his first chords. (Now I couldn’t keep up with him on my best day!)

Later, Scott (drums & vocals) and I met and played with a really crappy band. I don’t think we even named that mess. From there Dan, Scott and I started a group. That’s when Dennis (Guitar & vocals) came onto the scene. Shortly after, Dan left us but Dennis, Scott and I continued to forage on for a number of years. I guess you could say we were the nucleus of the then named “The Hershell Riggs Band”. Later we shortened it to just “Hershell Riggs”.

Interestingly, it was right about that time, because of a particular and peculiar drummer, Mike Finney, I was able to perform, on stage, at the Kansas City “Cow Town Ballroom” with Loudon Wainright III, Brewer & Shipley & The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. That was too cool!!

From there, we had a cooling off period when everyone was starting their families and trying to focus on careers, etc., etc. I never was far from my music. Somehow, I always managed to be in one band or another.

I guess it was about 15, 16 years ago, maybe longer, Dennis and I, on a beer soaked fishing trip, decided to try to get the old band back together. And there you have it. But somewhere along the line, something went wrong. They took away my guitar, pushed me behind the keyboards and handed me a bunch of percussion stuff. Now I can make all kinds of weird noises!

A lot of real talent has come and gone over the years, too numerous to list, but we managed to assemble four of the original members from the early 70’s and, most recently, were fortunate to recruit Bobby (Bass & vocals) our low tone man. Check it out! Collectively, we have over 200 years of musical experience! Jeez……. And for the record, it’s a real pleasure and privilege to play with so much talent around me!

Can I remember the names of the bands I played with? Let’s see…..

Shire

Caraway Circullum

Double Breasted Hydroscopic Space Turkeys

The Bagworms

The Hershell Riggs Band

Hershell Riggs

Melange

Dirty Socks

The Sled Doggs

Minus-1

If you’d like, you can reach me by E/M at: rev-keys@nightowl.net

Regards,

Rev.