Big Daddy's New Band
"A Big Time Needs A Big Band"
History
Big Daddy's New Band grew out of a dream of Frank A. Ranelli a.k.a. "Big Daddy" to form a blues, rhythm and blues, and soul band with a horn section and female vocalist. In 1994 he called upon other musician friends to find players who shared his goal-- rehearsals began. Of the original eight, two still remain. The goal is still in sight and they continue to play the music they love. The band has performed all over Birmingham, AL and the Southeast. Besides performing at private events, they have performed at Birmingham's "City Stages" music festival, the "Riverbend Festival" in Chattanooga, TN, "Schooners" in Panama City Beach, FL, AJ's in Destin, FL, Sandestin Resort, in Destin, FL, Ona's Music Room, The Club of Birmingham, and many other venues. Sticking to the principal of not being a "me to" band, the band plays music with a great beat that will have you dancing in minutes. The combination of a solid rhythm section and three powerful horns makes for a killer sound with dynamite vocals from Maggie Blue and Frank Ranelli.
Members
Frank A. Ranelli "Big Daddy"
Drums and Lead Vocals
Frank comes from a musical family of drummers and has been playing musical instruments since the age of 7. First on piano, then trumpet, and played in his high school band. Frank started playing drums at age 14 and started his first band in the eight grade. He has been performing ever since.
Maggie Blue
Lead Vocals
Maggie Glass, known to her fans as "Maggie Blue", moved to the Birmingham area in July 2007. She was lead singer and bass guitar for the Top 40 pop/rock group "VOYAGER" for over 17 years. She has toured Europe, performed in Carnegie Hall, and was a vocal performance major at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK. Her influences include Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Sade, Aretha Franklin, Nora Jones, as well as a wide variety of meaty vocals from the 70's and 80's. She has been an actress in an independent Sci-fi thriller movie called "The Paralyzing Agent", been on television, radio ads, and has recorded original songs with the group "VOYAGER". Maggie's soulful, sultry pop sound can easily weave in and out of blues to current pop hits. She resides on Lay Lake with her husband Frank and enjoys boating, gardening, and has a great love and appreciation for the outdoors.
Ted Kinney
Piano, Organ, Harp and Vocals
Ted hails from Columbus, Ohio and has been playing the piano since the age of 14. He has performed with numerous bands and moved to Birmingham in 2004. After joining the Magic City Blues Society, he was introduced to Big Daddy and filled the needed keyboard slot. "Ohio Ted" brings great experience to the table with soulful solos and great harmonica riffs.
Gary Harbison
Lead Guitar
Gary is a veteran Birmingham musician having played with a host of great bands. His Guitar skills are legendary! He also is a great vocalist. He is a Senior Audio Specialist for Imax Corporation that does sound worldwide in Imax theatres! Music and sound are his life. His influences are all over the spectrum. He can cover everything from the Beatles to Hendrix to BB King and everything in between.
Mike Hill
Bass
Mike
started playing bass in the UAB Jazz Ensemble from 1979-1980 under Dan
Strawbridge, playing standards and getting the basics of music theory. He
joined the Top 40 show band "Vagus" in 1982 and stuck with the same high school
friends/musicians to form "Ralston Valentine & The Casuals" from 1984-2004.
Diverse music is the key to playing in bands ranging from the "Casual3" a
jazz/bebop trio, "Jim Butt's Blues Band", "Thomas Henry" southern rock and the
power pop band of the "Gus Whitaker Band".
Chris Rothe "Sweet Lips"
Trumpet (Horn Section Leader)
Chris started playing trumpet in middle school, and was first chair in his high school band. He performed in the jazz band as soloist. Following high school, he played only on occasion before joining up with the New band from its inception. Chris leads the horn section. He is a founding member and Frank's best friend--they have been buddies for 27 years!
Steve Pryor
Trombone
Daniel Western
Saxophone
