The Coppertones


The Britches Seems "The Britches" has been performing all his life. At 15 he graduated kindergarten with full honors. He played in various bands (always with a horn section) all throughout school. In college Larry worked with the legendary "frat band" ARG, and was recognized as one of the premier musicians in the Charlotte area. He also worked as a member on Major Lance's backup band. "The Britches" was away from the music scene for about 15 years, concentrating on home recording and writing. He then joined the Charleston band, "Blue Eyed Soul" and began working keys into his performance. The Britches and Rainman met, and ultimately formed The Coppertones. His experience with horns has helped him "think like a horn player" to add bite to The 'Tones show. The combination of the two keyboardists in the band gives The 'Tones the ability to replicate any song in any style and any instrumentation. A natural ham, he fronts the show
JR A veteran of the ' Jersey shore bar scene, an area that produced BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY. JR brings a solid bottom to the mix, working in sync with Lou to deliver a tight groove. He also adds the tenor to the 'Tones tight harmonies, and serves as musical director. JR is also a walking encyclopedia of useless musical trivia.
Lou Originally from Kingston, NY, "Fabulous" Lou's career as a drummer has spanned over thirty years. Lou has played a wide variety of music including jazz, rock, blues, and R&B. He has performed in musical productions as well including "HAIR" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". More than just a timekeeper, FabuLOUs adds a syncopation and backbeat to The 'Tones that keep folks feets movin. Over the years he has shared the stage with numerous recording artists such as Robbie Dupree (Heart Rod Hearts, Steal Away), Larry Hoppen (Orleans) and Fred Wesley (James Brown). Lou and his wife Valerie have resided in the lowcountry for the past ten years where he has not been performing with THE COPPERTONES, he joins local favorites including Joe Clarke and Mike Viljac's Elvis Presley Tribute Show band.
Jim Jim grew up in one of the cradles of Southern R&B, Augusta, Georgia. At sixteen he cut his teeth playing R&B. At seventeen he joined the U.S. Navy ( serving on the USS Roosevelt CVA-42) and on the week-ends played in a variety band and later in a kick'n country band. Back in civilian life, he has played in every kind of band imaginable. rock, country,and even in a alternative band. After being lucky enough to see Jackie Wilson perform, he returned to his roots; R&B and soul music. His bigest influence is Steve Cropper. Jim is the perfect R&B guitarist. He can make it snap and bite if he chooses, but his tasteful fills is what sets him apart from all the other guitarists on every street corner. Jim has been living on James Island for twelve years and can not imagine living anywhere else. It is just him and his Jim Hensley signature stratocaster.
Gary Charleston native Gary Hill taught himself to play guitar at age ten. In high school he switched to keyboard, playing in the Charleston area until 1980. He spent the next two decades in the Washington, DC area, performing for Presidents, Princes and Potentates in such venues as the Kennedy Center, the British and Dutch Embassies, and the U.S. Capitol. Gary returned to Charleston in 2003, playing piano throughout the Lowcountry (most notably every Friday night at The Charleston Place Hotel) before joining the Coppertones in 2010, bringing with him another great voice and a musical knowledge and virtuosity that sets The 'Tones apart from the rest of the pack. Gary has played with the Diamonds (“Little Darlin’”), Eva Cassidy, Nils Lofgren (E Street Band), members of the Blackbyrds (“Walkin’ in Rhythm”), and Carl Anderson (“Jesus Christ, Superstar”). In addition to being a performing musician, Gary teaches music at Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston, and he is Music Leader at Harbor View Presbyterian Church on James Island..
Joni Joni Siekawitch grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa (yes, the home of one Walter “Radar” O’Riley…Tom and Edna’s boy), and got her start as a musician before she was in kindergarten when her Grandmother taught her to sing harmonies. In the second grade she started playing piano; fifth grade added the French horn and in sixth grade started guitar. In the eighth grade she learned to play trumpet (because they wouldn’t allow French horns in jazz band), and in ninth grade she started formal vocal training. Her first paying gig (when she was 13 years old) was playing French horn with the local symphony. Her sister taught her to play drums in her sophomore year of high school, and later on mastered the bass guitar. Joni enrolled in the University of Iowa with a double major in voice and French horn, but the road soon came calling and Joni answered doing more than 250 shows per year. To date, Joni has played with 27 different professional bands all across the lower 48 and Alaska and Hawaii including everything from singing in a Manhattan Transfer style jazz quartet to playing in an all-female hard rock band. S’witch brings a combination of drive, professionalism and talent to The Coppertones that has ignited both the vocals and stage presence to a level previously unleashed. Her ear for harmonies is extraordinary. We believe we have only scratched the surface of what she has brought to our show. If you haven't heard her, you're in for a treat. Joni lives in the Charleston area with her husband Robert (also a professional musician), and divides her time between performing with The Coppertones and her fitness career as a personal trainer and Zumba instructor.

REVIEWS

The Coppertones, up until now the best-kept secret in Charleston, SC have already caused a stir among the Beach music scene. Listen to what others say;

“ You guys and gal have a real future. Let me know how I can help.”

Harry Turner, President Beach Music Association International

“The Coppertones just out did themselves. They will be the upcoming Beach band.”

Harriet-Grady Thomas, Cammy award winner and owner, JB PIVOTS

Vice President Beach Music Association International, Member National Boppers Hall of Fame.

“ Put on your shaggin’ shoes. The Coppertones will take you back to a time when the Strand was grand!”

Lorne Chambers, Charleston City Paper

“Would love to do a show with you sometime. Great name for a band!”

The Party-Time Band, Columbia, SC

The Coppertones played at our wedding in April 2007. Not only are they a great shag band, they were so easy and fun to work with. They made sure our guests had a great time - in fact, friends are still commenting on what a fantastic job the band did. We 110% recommend The Coppertones!!!

Amanda and Tom Hashem

Charleston, SC

"I wanted to thank you again for a wonderful job by The Coppertones at our reception. You all made our event a success and we couldn't be more pleased. We have received numerous compliments from our guests and everyone we've talked with since the wedding has agreed that the music was fantastic. The atmosphere you created was exactly what we had envisioned - with little direction from me or the wedding director. In spite of our shortcomings in communicating with you, the group handled everything very well.

Thanks again and we will certainly recommend you in the future - we have lots of friends and classmates in Charleston who are engaged or who will be soon, and we'll try our best to send them your way."

Mr and Mrs Joshua Robinson

Asheville, NC

"The Lowcountry's favorite Beach band."

South Carolina Homes and Gardens Magazine

"We are back from Jamaica and are slowly adjusting to being back to reality. The wedding was absolutely perfect. Everything went just as we wanted it to!!! We, along with everyone that we have talked to, were extremely impressed with the band!!! Scott and I really enjoyed having the Coppertones be a part of our special day. We could not have asked for better music and entertainment. I really appreciate you working with my mom on the TIGER surprise too. I know that was hard for you!! Thanks again for everything and feel free to list us a contacts and resources on your website. Thanks. Have a great week!!"

Erin McCall Meece

Wanted to let you know the concert yesterday was great. You even played one of my all time favorites Brown Eyed Girl. I felt as if you were singing it just for me. I really enjoyed all of your music. Just wished the concert could have lasted longer. Your music brought back a lot of fantastic memories. Love your CD and look forward to purchasing your next one. Please let me know where you will be playing in the Charleston area. If it is a wedding I'll just have to be a Wedding Crasher!! Honest, you all are very talented. Keep up the great work.

One of your Copperheads,

Peg Mathis

Real Man is going places... I've been playing it on my show for several weeks and have begun to get requests and calls about it...

I have not calculated the numbers yet, but I would not be surprised to see it in my Top 20 for September.

Keep up the good work

Jay Jenkins

Syndicated Radio Host

I played your single off the KHP cd and it had the floor full. Thanks so much. It makes a dj's job easy with great songs like yours. Thanks.

Jeff Foster

Spartanburg SC

Just wanted to say "Thank you" to the entire band for a wonderful job.
Everyone really loved the music and the harbor cruise.
Not sure what our plans are for next year, but if it includes music , I will definetly call you!

Tammy Swartz

Square-One Meeting Planning

Hi there! You guys played at my wedding a little over a year ago, you were awesome. I'm over here in Iraq presently and will be for another 10 long, boring, sandy months, but I wanted to say how sorry I am that I'm going to miss you at the Chas Beach Music and Shag Festival! I would give anything to be back just for that!! I've sent a few of my friends and family the dates, so I'm sure I'll hear how cool it was, but I wanted to let you guys know that you would have one more supporter there were it not for this beige country!

Good luck and all the best!

Captain Erin Hadlock

United States Army Air Corps

You guys (and gal) played at my daughter's wedding in Yemassee, SC last April and did a great job. She is now a Captain stationed in Irag as an Army pilot and forwarded me the 'Tone News' page that she received the other day. She would sure love to show up for the Folly Beach performance Saturday and the big Shag Fest in August but I agreed to attend on her behalf. Please add me to your mailing list so I won't have to get news via Iraq and take a chance of missing a good time.

Best Regards

Rick Davis

Build Me Up Buttercup.mp3

Party Down the Street.mp3

I Grew Up on the Beach.mp3

The Way You Do the Things You Do.mp3

Ooh Baby Baby.mp3

Hey Baby.mp3

He Will Break Your Heart.mp3

Be Young, Be Foolish.mp3

Every time I Roll the Dice.mp3

Eat Mo' Grits.mp3

Acoustic, Folk and Blues

Contemporary and Dance

Country and Southern

Modern, Alternative and Classic Rock

Motown, Oldies and Beach

R&B, Funk and Disco

Retro 70’s and 80’s

Standards, Swing and Jazz