ormed in 2019, the George Fletcher Blues Band is a brotherhood that boasts nearly 200 years combined experience (we added it all up!), three NY Blues Hall of Fame inductees, thousands of touring miles between them and the common love of all things blues.
From standards to authentic original blues material and tasty forays into bluesy rock, N'awlins and other grooves, the GFBB keeps your attention and never disappoints.
Fletcher, keyboardist Sonny Speed, drummer Michael Jr. Lomaestro and bassist David Bachelor bring decades of blues experience to the fold.
Guitarist Jim Pfoh's smooth multi-genre chops and Allman Brothers inspired slide playing rival the best pro players that you can find.
"It's really about the dedication and enthusiasm," George said. "We aren't necessarily a bar band, though we play them. We're not weekend warriors. We're professionals that know how to work a room and lay it down hard wherever we go."
If you are just meeting the George Fletcher Blues Band, read on then check out our music at the bottom of this page.
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George Fletcher, Guitar/Vocals
George Fletcher is a third generation professional musician, son of western star Tex Fletcher, one of country music's early Hollywood Singing Cowboys, recording artist and radio and television actor/personality.
On the upstate NY music scene since 2003, Fletcher has built a solid reputation for his energetic style with his previous groups, Bourbon Renewal, The Tequila Mockingbirds and Folding' Money. He was 1/2 of award-winning acoustic duo, The Tequila Mockingbirds, who were voted the Capital region's "Best Acoustic Duo" in Metroland Magazine's 2007 and 2008 readers' polls, “Best Jazz Group" in the 2007 Times Union's "Best of the Capital Region" readers' poll, and tied for 3rd place "Best Jazz Group" in 2011.
He has performed at the Albany Tulip Fest, Downtown Albany Blues Competition, Saratoga JazzFest, the Hat’s Off, Final Stretch and West Side Celebrations, First Night and pretty much every other festival who'd have him! He was a volunteer co-organizer of the Caroline Street Arts & Blues Fest.
George’s extensive list of credits includes performing or recording with the Commander Cody Band, Curt Smith (Tears for Fears), Larry Hoppen (Orleans), The Coasters, Gary Miller and Daryl Jenifer (Bad Brains), Jerry Marotta, Marty Kupersmith (Jay and The Americans), John Platania, John Regan and many others.
He has opened concerts for Ray Charles, Kinky Friedman, Robbie Kreiger (The Doors), The Wailers , Murali Coryell, the Spin Doctors, NRBQ, Popa Chubby, and Roomful of Blues among many others. When not fronting the GFBB, George is a touring guitarist with the Chris O'Leary Band.
George is owner/instructor at Saratoga Strings Guitar and Bass Lesson Center.
He is a 2012 inductee into the New York Blues Hall of Fame as a "Master Blues Artist." His former band, George Fletcher's Foldin' Money was likewise inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame in 2013 as a "Great Blues Band." He was honored as one of Saratoga’s Top 20 (Movers and Shakers) over 40 in the Saratogian newspaper way back in 2005.
George is a Friend of Babicz Guitars®. He claims he was born to buffet.
Michael Jr. Lomaestro, Drums/vocals
Michael is known for having an easy going, can-do attitude with tons of experience that makes him a go-to, in-demand drummer throughout the tri-state area. He's toured with the Marcia Lynn Band in the 80’s as opening act for Waylon Jennings and Bobby Bear and other well-known groups.
Michael has played with or opened shows for Elvin Bishop, The New Riders of the Purple sage, the Platter’s, The Outlaws, Orleans, Poco, Richard Marx, The Henry Paul Band , James ( D-Train ) Williams and the list goes on. Performances included playing at the Friars club ( NYC ) High Line Ballroom (NYC) the Ritz and nationally on NBC’s “Today Show” in July 2009 with the Stony Creek Band.
Michael is a 2013 inductee of the New York Blues Hall of Fame as a “Great Performance Artist.”
He is endorsed by Gretsch Drums and Expression Cymbals.
Sonny Speed, Keys/Vocals
Sonny is an independent record producer, multi-Instrumentalist and recording engineer that the NY Times called, "A musician and producer known for his professionalism.” An accomplished blues keyboardist, he’s played on stage with artists such as Joe Lewis Walker, Murali Coryell, Slam Alan, Rhett Tyler, Taz Cru, Papa John Mole, Sonny Rock, Bill Sims, The Hoppen Brothers (Orleans), The Drifters, Chubby Checker, Bobby Lewis, and many more.
Over the past 50 years, Sonny has opened shows for The Zombies, Leon Russell, Susie Tyrell (E Street Band), Billy Joel (Hassles), Ricky Skaggs, Leslie West, Cactus, Toby Walker, Foghat, Jay and the Americans, The Coasters, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, 1910 Fruit Gum Company, The Crystals, and many others.
Sonny is the past Director of the “Island Songwriter's Showcase” (ISS), Long Island’s largest songwriting organization. Additionally, he serves on the board of the Saratoga Acoustic Blues Society and the Capital Region Blues Network CRBN. He hosts the monthly SABS Acoustic Blues Night at the world-famous Café Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY and every Monday night he hosts the “Stormy Monday Blues” radio show on WRPI 91.5 FM in Troy NY.
He’s the owner of Son Spot Recording Studio in Saratoga Springs and is credited with producing and playing on over 75 CDs to date.
Sonny was inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame in 2015.
David Bachelor, Bass/Vocals
David has been playing bass and singing in Albany area bands since the 1970s, such as the Bluz House Rockers and popular dance band, Men Without Heads.
He has opened shows for many national acts including Richie Havens, NRBQ, and Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson, among others.
He is a multi-instrumentalist; in addition to bass, he plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, and drums, as well as being a songwriter.
Jim Pfoh, Guitar
Jim Pfoh is a Blues/Rock guitarist out of the Glens Falls NY area and originally from downstate New York. His playing style touches on many different genres including but not limited to: Blues, Rock, Country, Metal and more. His passion for music and guitar is paramount.
Jim has played for many groups over the years including
The Freeze (original Hard Rock band), Blues Depot (Blues), Curtis Winchester Band (Blues, Roots Rock, R&B),• Chrissie O’Dell (Blues and R&B), Fenimore Blues (Blues, Rock, R&B)
He has had the opportunity to share the stage with many great musicians including Robin Trower, Foghat, Shemekia Copeland , Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and Popa Chubby, among others.
Listen
Hey! Miss Bessie
Hideaway
All Night Lover
For booking and other information, call 518-542-9985