For the May 3rd First Friday, Cheeky Monkey record store is pleased to bring back the local band The Casuals. Along with the live music, it will be the opening night of a new exciting art exhibit and sale by Plein Air painter Bill Walters.
The Casuals previous appearance at Cheeky Monkey was a bit over a year ago and since then, fans have been asking when they will return with their up beat music.
Consisting of six talented men, The Casuals play popular covers of 60’s and 70’s ‘feel good’ songs designed to put a smile on your face and get your feet tapping. Band members are also members of the Sarnia Yacht Club and have been the ‘house band’ there for the several years.
Members include:
Robert Martin on keyboards, lead vocals, harmony vocals. Bob is a classically trained musician and uses those skills to create the musical arrangements for the band. He is a former member of the Sunset Jazz Band and currently also in Bob Catz who’ll be at Cheeky Monkey for the July First Friday.
Bill Hines is on acoustic 12-string guitar, lead vocals, harmony vocals, harmonica, mandolin. Bill enjoyed a solo career for many years playing and singing at clubs in Sarnia and can also be found playing as a duo with his brother.
David Wright plays acoustic 6-string guitar and electric guitar as well as does harmony vocals. David has resurrected his long dormant musical endeavours with a passion.
Ron Collacott is out front and centre on electric guitar, rhythm and lead. The prototypical ‘late bloomer’, Ron’s guitar playing is inspiring
Will McCuaig’s bass guitar lines establish the groove for the band whether it’s country, rock, jazz or blues in the playlist.
Al Wallace in the back on drums and percussion has a strong sense of timing and rhythm that are essential to The Casuals sound.
To help herald a new season of sunny, warm days, Bill Walters will be unveiling an entirely new art exhibit he calls “ The Easel Has Landed”. With nature being his studio, his paintings are journal entries for places that beckon him to set up his easel, and to capture the mood, colour, and images that inspire him.
With The Casuals providing the live music and Bill Walters providing the beautiful backdrop, stop into Cheeky Monkey located at 130 Christina Street North downtown Sarnia from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. to take in a joyful dose of local culture.
