A FESTIVAL SEASONED HIGH ENERGY BAND THAT PUTS "YO" FEET ON THE DANCE FLOOR!
"SOME SERIOUS STRAIGHT FORWARD ROCKIN BLUES IN A STYLE ALL THEIR OWN! GUARANTEED TO BRING YOU TO YOUR FEET!"
- GENE FONTANA -
DIAMOND STATE BLUES SOCIETY
ST. GEORGE'S COUNTRY STORE
Our Story
Barrelhouse was formed in October of 2007...... Since then they have been playing locations throughout the Delmarva region. They have worked hard to build a large following that "Digs" their particular brand of blues. Club & Festival goers alike, agree, that their music is high energy and up in your grille. In 2018 Barrelhouse represented the Central Delaware Blues Society at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. They were one of 270 bands, worldwide, to play on Beale Street in the competition. The boys have opened for numerous well known national blues acts such as, Victor Wainwright, John Primer, Bob Margolin, Ray Fuller, Moreland & Arbuckle, Albert Castiglia, The Night Hawks, and others.... You can find Barrelhouse more and more in the lineup of festivals and major blues locations in the region.....
Tom Nowland
Guitar & Vocals........ Tom was basically born with a 6 string in his hands. Playing guitar from a very early age, he played in various bands around his home town of Delaware City, Delaware. Tom's influences are the likes of Jeff Beck, John Petrucci, Robin Trower, and Steve Vai. As Tom developed his love for the blues, he immersed himself in the search for his own style and sound. His passion for playing has taken him on the path to his signature sound of today. Tom has a terrific ability to interpret a song and develop a lead that is spot on. Tom Nowland is easily one of the more influential guitarists in the area, displaying a style that is often complimented by his accomplished peers.
John McGovern
Originally from the Philadelphia region, John McGovern was a founding member and bass player in the popular rock/funk band "Vitamin F" from 1992 to 1998. He also played guitar, trumpet, trombone and keyboards in the mid-Atlantic wedding band, "The Notables”, from 1983 to 1997. Other bands he played with are as follows: the progressive NJ rock band, Archangel, from 1989 to 1993, the Philly club band, "Nate Clutch", from 1984 to 1987, the bluegrass band, "White Clay Tributary", from 1982 to 1984, "The Dave Marshall Mojo Band" from 2000 to 2003. He has also free-lanced as a sub for many wedding and cover bands in the mid-Atlantic region. John has a great deal of studio experience and has recorded bass parts for many of the local artist located around the region. His latest project was "The Billy Penn Project" out of West Chester, PA. John was a Berklee School of Music certified Pro Tools audio engineer and was the owner of JAM Studios Inc.
In April of this year, we lost our Brother Johnny Mac. He will forever be in the hearts of Tom and I. One half of Barrelhouse's Killer "Engine Room", Mac brought dynamic bass runs with a light hearted friendly smile.
We miss you Brother and will see you down the road at that "Great Jam" in the sky.
Charlie Rickner
Harps & Vocals......... A native of Philadelphia, Charlie has called Delaware his home since 1969. Raw primitive harp licks are becoming Charlie's trademark. His influences were early masters such as, Sony Boy Williamson, Lee Oskar, and Paul Butterfield. Modern day players that grab Charlie's musical soul, are Dustin Arbuckle, and Harrisburg area's Nate Myers. His vocals are sometimes gritty, sometimes almost mellow, but always from the heart. After an appearance at The St. George's Blues Festival , a festival goer told Charlie that his voice was a cross between Tab Benoit and Phil McCormack of Molly Hatchet.... As a founding member of Barrelhouse, Choo Choo works hard to find music that fits the direction of the band's personality. Coming into the music scene late in life, Charlie treats playing music, as a precious gift, given to him to make people happy.