THE EASY STREET BAND
Gene Acree, Percussion, Tom "Dooley" Woolsey, Lead Guitar
Rich "Hop" Hopper, Bass, Ken Harvill, Lead/Synth Guitar
Gene Acree, Percussion, Tom "Dooley" Woolsey, Lead Guitar
Rich "Hop" Hopper, Bass, Ken Harvill, Lead/Synth Guitar
Gene Acree Drummer/Percussionist
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Gene was born into a legacy of musical talent as Gene's father, Andy Acree, has been in the country music business his entire life. Gene's father has been a musician, band leader, president of a record label and a recording studio. Genes' father was inducted into the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973 with the great Patsy Montana. At age 8, Gene started taking lessons from his father's drummer, the great Russ Schroeder, who during his career was on the Grand Ole Opry as the staff drummer. At age 12, Gene, along with Tom Rutledge, who later became Alan Jackson's guitarist, became members of Gene's father's group, Andy Acree and the Country Squires Band. They traveled with the Squires working the road with musical greats such as Conway Twitty, Willie Nelson, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Jr. and many other stars of the Grand Ole Opry. In 1998 Gene was honored to be inducted, along with his father, Andy Acree, and his group Andy Acree and the Country Squires, into the Illinois Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Gene free lanced with several popular Central Illinois groups while in high school and college and in 1988, Gene moved to Florida. He joined up with Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts in the making of the album, Seven Turns, in preparation of their 20th year come back tour. Gene still tours with Gregg Allman today several times a year. In 2006, while playing at the Hoogland Center For the Arts in Springfield, IL, Gene celebrated his 5,000th career performance. If asked, Gene would tell you that he would not take anything away from his early years as they molded him into the person and percussionist that he is today.
Gene plays a variety of drums: Ludwig, Pearl and Premier and plays Zildjian & Paiste cymbals exclusively.
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Gene was born into a legacy of musical talent as Gene's father, Andy Acree, has been in the country music business his entire life. Gene's father has been a musician, band leader, president of a record label and a recording studio. Genes' father was inducted into the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973 with the great Patsy Montana. At age 8, Gene started taking lessons from his father's drummer, the great Russ Schroeder, who during his career was on the Grand Ole Opry as the staff drummer. At age 12, Gene, along with Tom Rutledge, who later became Alan Jackson's guitarist, became members of Gene's father's group, Andy Acree and the Country Squires Band. They traveled with the Squires working the road with musical greats such as Conway Twitty, Willie Nelson, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Jr. and many other stars of the Grand Ole Opry. In 1998 Gene was honored to be inducted, along with his father, Andy Acree, and his group Andy Acree and the Country Squires, into the Illinois Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Gene free lanced with several popular Central Illinois groups while in high school and college and in 1988, Gene moved to Florida. He joined up with Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts in the making of the album, Seven Turns, in preparation of their 20th year come back tour. Gene still tours with Gregg Allman today several times a year. In 2006, while playing at the Hoogland Center For the Arts in Springfield, IL, Gene celebrated his 5,000th career performance. If asked, Gene would tell you that he would not take anything away from his early years as they molded him into the person and percussionist that he is today.
Gene plays a variety of drums: Ludwig, Pearl and Premier and plays Zildjian & Paiste cymbals exclusively.
Tom Woolsey "Dooley" Lead Guitarist/Vocals
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Tom first picked up the guitar at the age of 13, quite by accident. While visiting relatives, he noticed the neighbors having a garage sale. He purchased his first guitar at that garage sale for $3. It couldn't be played without being repaired. Thus began the musical journey. Dooley taught himself how to play while listening to "The Summer of Love" music while living in Little Rock, Arkansas and listening to "Pirate Radio", KAAY, Beaker Street with Clyde Clifford. His family moved to Central Illinois where Dooley free lanced with various popular local groups. He was a member of the popular local group, Zeus. Dooley has been in various groups that have opened for such musical greats as Willie Nelson, Hank Williams III, Highway 101, Mojo Nixon, Phil & the Blanks, Ruby and Greyghost and many others. Dooley has also shared the stage with The Grateful Dead, Roger Wainwright, Bruce Williams of NIL8, Keith Voegele of the The Bottle Rockets and the list goes on. Dooley is known for rockin' it out when playing with Easy Street. When the crowd is having fun, Dooley becomes a show in himself! He is famous on stage for his red shoes! Dooley plays Vintage Fender guitars.
Dooley plays a '74 Strat, a '93 Strat, and a '60's Mosrite Celebrity.
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Tom first picked up the guitar at the age of 13, quite by accident. While visiting relatives, he noticed the neighbors having a garage sale. He purchased his first guitar at that garage sale for $3. It couldn't be played without being repaired. Thus began the musical journey. Dooley taught himself how to play while listening to "The Summer of Love" music while living in Little Rock, Arkansas and listening to "Pirate Radio", KAAY, Beaker Street with Clyde Clifford. His family moved to Central Illinois where Dooley free lanced with various popular local groups. He was a member of the popular local group, Zeus. Dooley has been in various groups that have opened for such musical greats as Willie Nelson, Hank Williams III, Highway 101, Mojo Nixon, Phil & the Blanks, Ruby and Greyghost and many others. Dooley has also shared the stage with The Grateful Dead, Roger Wainwright, Bruce Williams of NIL8, Keith Voegele of the The Bottle Rockets and the list goes on. Dooley is known for rockin' it out when playing with Easy Street. When the crowd is having fun, Dooley becomes a show in himself! He is famous on stage for his red shoes! Dooley plays Vintage Fender guitars.
Dooley plays a '74 Strat, a '93 Strat, and a '60's Mosrite Celebrity.
Rich Hopper "Hop" Bass Guitarist
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Hop got his first guitar from Sears in 1958 at the age of 14. He saw the Thin Line Air Line guitar and had to have it. It was green with silver metal trim. It was cool. It was electric and it was his! Hop taught himself the cords and recorded them. He would then play a lead along with playing his recorded cords. A young lady who lived across the street from him heard him play and thought he was good. Hop immediately knew that being a musician was exactly what he wanted to be! An early influence for Hop was a group called The Harmony Brothers. They played at one of his Jr. High dances and Hop decided to start a band. He found some kids who played instruments and that was the beginning of Hop's trip into the music biz. Around 1960, Hop played with a group called Jonnie and the Cyclones. They recorded a record in St. Louis with Twisted Fender on side A and Scrub Bucket on Side B. Both songs can still be heard on 50's/60's oldies stations today. After high school, Hop went with a band on the road and wound up in San Angelo, TX where he met up with and played bass for J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers who had the big hit Last Kiss in 1964 when "Car Crash" ballads were popular. In 1998, Pearl Jam covered the song. Hop worked around TX for awhile and then decided to move back to Central Illinois where he met his wife and settled down. He played bass for The Harmony Brothers for awhile and several other local bands. He was also the bass player for the house band at the once popular club, Nashville North in Taylorville, IL. Hop had to give that "gig" up as he became a Sangamon County Deputy. For several years Hop played with Judy Kaye and the Nashville Sound. He played with a local popular group, Second Time Around Band for 5 years and then joined the Easy Street Band. Hop will tell you that playing with Easy Street has been the most fun he has ever had playing bass.
Hop plays his trusty Peavey 5 string basses or his Music Man 5 string bass.
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Hop got his first guitar from Sears in 1958 at the age of 14. He saw the Thin Line Air Line guitar and had to have it. It was green with silver metal trim. It was cool. It was electric and it was his! Hop taught himself the cords and recorded them. He would then play a lead along with playing his recorded cords. A young lady who lived across the street from him heard him play and thought he was good. Hop immediately knew that being a musician was exactly what he wanted to be! An early influence for Hop was a group called The Harmony Brothers. They played at one of his Jr. High dances and Hop decided to start a band. He found some kids who played instruments and that was the beginning of Hop's trip into the music biz. Around 1960, Hop played with a group called Jonnie and the Cyclones. They recorded a record in St. Louis with Twisted Fender on side A and Scrub Bucket on Side B. Both songs can still be heard on 50's/60's oldies stations today. After high school, Hop went with a band on the road and wound up in San Angelo, TX where he met up with and played bass for J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers who had the big hit Last Kiss in 1964 when "Car Crash" ballads were popular. In 1998, Pearl Jam covered the song. Hop worked around TX for awhile and then decided to move back to Central Illinois where he met his wife and settled down. He played bass for The Harmony Brothers for awhile and several other local bands. He was also the bass player for the house band at the once popular club, Nashville North in Taylorville, IL. Hop had to give that "gig" up as he became a Sangamon County Deputy. For several years Hop played with Judy Kaye and the Nashville Sound. He played with a local popular group, Second Time Around Band for 5 years and then joined the Easy Street Band. Hop will tell you that playing with Easy Street has been the most fun he has ever had playing bass.
Hop plays his trusty Peavey 5 string basses or his Music Man 5 string bass.
Ken Harvill Lead Guitarist/Synth Guitarist/Vocals
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Ken is the musical youngster of the group as he was 30 before he started to play the guitar. However, he picks his guitar like he's been playing for 50 years! Kenny grew up in Texas with a country music background and his favorite style of playing reflects that heritage. Kenny had a 2 year gig with a road group out of Longview, TX where he played country swing and Texas dance hall music. Kenny's early influences were Chet Akins, Roy Clark, Hank Thompson, Bob Wells and a bevy of other country musicians. Kenny then began to be influenced by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. With the emergence of country rock groups like Alabama, Kenny began to change his style of playing and finds himself as comfortable playing classic rock as playing country. After moving to Central Illinois and starting a family, Kenny put an end to traveling the road and played in local groups while his children grew into adults. Kenny has played in various local bands and has shared the stage with Joe Diffey, Montgomery Gentry, Brian McComas and many other musical greats.On stage you'll usually find Kenny playing one of his trusty telecasters through a Rivera Chubster 40 Amp. This is his "Elvis" sound as he kicks out those James Burton licks. If you hear the sound of a tenor sax or a riff of a piano, and you're wondering where it's coming from, you'll find that Kenny has his Roland guitar synthesizer hooked up. This little gem sets him apart from most local players. He is able to add multiple instrument sounds to the band while still playing his guitar. No longer a novelty, guitar synths are certainly more common, but Kenny's 10+ years of experience playing on one has helped him develop a very distinct style with it.
Kenny plays his trusty Telecasters and his Roland guitar synth.
Music industry veteran of 30+ years with extensive experience as a musician.
Ken is the musical youngster of the group as he was 30 before he started to play the guitar. However, he picks his guitar like he's been playing for 50 years! Kenny grew up in Texas with a country music background and his favorite style of playing reflects that heritage. Kenny had a 2 year gig with a road group out of Longview, TX where he played country swing and Texas dance hall music. Kenny's early influences were Chet Akins, Roy Clark, Hank Thompson, Bob Wells and a bevy of other country musicians. Kenny then began to be influenced by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. With the emergence of country rock groups like Alabama, Kenny began to change his style of playing and finds himself as comfortable playing classic rock as playing country. After moving to Central Illinois and starting a family, Kenny put an end to traveling the road and played in local groups while his children grew into adults. Kenny has played in various local bands and has shared the stage with Joe Diffey, Montgomery Gentry, Brian McComas and many other musical greats.On stage you'll usually find Kenny playing one of his trusty telecasters through a Rivera Chubster 40 Amp. This is his "Elvis" sound as he kicks out those James Burton licks. If you hear the sound of a tenor sax or a riff of a piano, and you're wondering where it's coming from, you'll find that Kenny has his Roland guitar synthesizer hooked up. This little gem sets him apart from most local players. He is able to add multiple instrument sounds to the band while still playing his guitar. No longer a novelty, guitar synths are certainly more common, but Kenny's 10+ years of experience playing on one has helped him develop a very distinct style with it.
Kenny plays his trusty Telecasters and his Roland guitar synth.
