Bobby Thursby: Bio

Bobby Thursby - Lead Vocals,Keyboards

Bobby began singing as a teenager in his hometown Odessa Texas, at Blackshear High School. Here he began singing and playing with a group called the Velvets. They were lucky that Roy Orbison heard them one day and took them to Nashville where they cut their first record, and later a hit “Tonight Could Be the Night”, that was to become number eight in the nation. The Velvets went on to record several other songs, four of which were written by Roy Orbison. In May 2000, the Velvets were called upon to go to Pittsburgh PA to tape a nationally televised TV show “Doo Wop 51”that aired in November on PBS. Some of the bands he shares the show with are headliners like the Shirells, the Chiffons, Louis Lymon & the Teenagers, the Drifters, the Coasters, the Dells, Don & Juan, Jerry Butler & Betty Everette and many more from that era.
After High School Bobby moved on to a band the B-29ers his first blues band and they landed a gig in Anchorage, Alaska. They lasted a few years, but Bobby returned to Texas, not for long before he moved on to Denver where he met up with a bunch of jazz and blues musicians where he began working with various bands as a singer. Bobby returned again to the cold North in Alaska and started singing with the Gordon Sims Jazz group, which he played with until the cold got to him and Hawaii called. In 1978 his vacation turned into his location and here he has been ever since. In 1985 he formed a band called the Blues Bandits and they played the local circuit for a number of years until they disbanded. During these years he was a key member of the Honolulu Blues Society and was involved in a large Blues show where he is featured on a CD that was cut as part of the show. He began playing with a new band Night Train and developed a real following at the Honolulu venue “ Sand Island R&B” nightclub until it was sold. Bobby is currently playing with Night Train at Aloha Tower at Gordon Biersch and Kapono’s, Also he plays at the Hawaii Yacht clubs. He was recently featured at Hawaii Theatre International Jazz Festival’s, Ray Charles Tribute.
Bobby has a unique style of singing and playing that is not commonly encountered. Before the end of this year he will be releasing a new CD called “Grease in My Gravy in which a number of original songs are featured. He teamed with guitarist/ engineer Arthur Walton for this latest project and what a team they make! Coming Soon!

Arthur Walton - Lead Guitarist

Born in Hartford Ct. Arthur Walton began his journey as a drummer, exploring rock & roll of the late 60's & early 70's. Arthur grew up in a musical home where his mother was a music teacher in the Connecticut public school system and taught privately at home. In 1971 he studied drums, percussion, composition and theory at the Hartt College of Music and toured with the award-winning "Hall High School Jazz Band". He recorded his first record with them called "Pop & All That Jazz" produced by Columbia Records. Arthur hooked up with Electronic Music Labs in Vernon, Connecticut conducting demonstration clinics on the first guitar synthesizer called the "Syntar" which was developed by John McLaughlin and Electronic Music Labs. Clinics included demonstrations to Rick Derringer, Pat Martino, Vic Juris and the heads of Kaman International, distributors of Ovation guitars.In 1973 Arthur studied privately with Chuck Wayne and Pat Martino which included extensive studies in harmony, theory, modern guitar techniques and jazz improvisation. In 1980 Arthur moved to Norway as a studio musician and commercial songwriter doing spots on Norwiegian radio NRK. He also toured Europe with a commercial dance band called "Data". In 1984 Arthur attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Califonia. He studied with Frank Gambale (Chick Corea) and graduated in 1985. From 1985- 1987 he taught music privately as well as touring with a band featuring Norwiegian bassist Are Skisland. In 1987 Arthur returned to the states and got a job with Whole Life Promotions in Los Angeles, California. He recorded two records; one with Chuck Jonkey Called "Ah Ma Ta Teh". the other "Spoken Under the Moon and Stars". In 1992 Arthur started Samurai Music Productions Inc. where he has recorded his latest two releases "Configurations" & "Shades of Blue".After packin up and moving to Hawaii,in 2000 Arthur hooked up with Bobby Thursby.We've been makin music ever since.