Photo by Kerry Quinn

Miss Heidi Nirk is a force of nature in her own right. She has a vocal sound like none other but at times has been compared to a collection of artists such as Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, and Bessie Smith. Her dynamic performance style captivates an audience from the moment her feet hit the stage. Her power and range leaves listeners in awe, and sometimes, tears. Miss Heidi sings with a passion and spirit, sweetness and vulnerability, grit and brawn, and everything in between, and is an absolute must see to believe kind of experience. Heidi has been performing professionally since the age of 14 in various projects including The Nirks (Punk Band, Circa 1990s), Killer Kane & the Blue FO's, Nirk Nation (with Ken Lyon), Sugarface (with Ken Lyon), as well as many solo performances. She has played the Newport Blues Festival, Rhode Island Blues Festival, BBQ & Blues Festival, Woonsocket Autumnfest Main Stage, and Stadium Theater in Historic Woonsocket, RI. She can be heard on recordings for Killer Kane and the Blue FO's, LP Done your Time (2003), Creekside Rhapsody, compilation of songs based on folk-poetry of Mark Flanagan, (2003), The Puffin' by Ken Lyon (St. Jude Fundraiser, background vocals), and Heidi Nirk Band, Tumblin' & Stumblin' released 2022. Photos by Heidi Nelson

Photo by Dana Neugent

Paul Tomasello (Bass Guitar) A native Bostonian, Paul relocated to Rhode Island in 1988. In his 40+ years as a professional musician, he has toured and recorded with many bands including the Estes Boys, Little Frankie and the Premiers, Roomful of Blues, Neal and the Vipers, and the Fathoms. He has also performed with greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hubert Sumlin, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Otis Rush, and B.B. King. Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography

Rob Nelson (lead guitar) has been a mainstay of the New England Blues scene since the late 1960s, playing in the Blue Lights, Loaded Dice, Blueswagon, Sugar Ray Norcia, and more recently with Roger Ceresi's All Stars. Tours in the U.S., Canada, and Europe with Lazy Lester (Excello Records), Wild Child Butler, and Roomful of Blues presented an opportunity to hone his musical skills in the company of some blues greats. Rob also plays as a sideman with Darrel Nulisch, James Montgomery, Dennis McCarthy, and The Superchief Trio among others. Through years of experience, Rob has developed his own voice in many styles of playing, including retro-soul, jazz standards, and honky tonk. Through his affability and swingin' style, Rob brings listeners along into a world he obviously enjoys. Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography

Charlie Huntington (Piano/Organ) has been tickling the ivories since the tender age of eight and spent his upbringing in the church being influenced greatly by his mother's love of music as the church organist. Charlie was drawn to many different instruments, but when his father gifted him a Farfisa organ for his birthday one year, it was pretty obvious which he preferred. Charlie played with Killer Kane & the Blue FO's since 1972 only to recently retire from the ensemble (what a tenure!). Charlie also played with the Bob Colson Band, which opened for Muddy Waters in 1978, and Eric Burdon in 1979. Charlie also led band Jewel City Blues with James "Killer" Kane on harp, and has played with Josh Barber Band, Johnny Edwards Band, Straight Pipes Band, and Calamity Brain. Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography

Chad Souza was born in Attleboro, MA and raised in RI. He started gigging on the drums at 13 with Johnny Watson Jr. Since then, he has worked with a wide variety of notable southeastern New England blues and swing groups including Rory and the Blueshounds, The Mystic Horns, Professor Harp, and Roger Ceresi’s All Starz. He got such a young start thanks to his bass playing father, ‘Papa’ Dick Souza. Chad was also a founding member of The Funk Monks, Powerhouse, and Smokestack Lightnin’. Photo by Kerry Quinn Photography

DYLAN BARBRICK - Honorary Band Member & Merchandise Manager