The Mainely Country Band

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Jeff Simon Lead vocalist, harmony vocalist & lead guitar

Jeff Simon started performing at the early age of 10, along with his sister, Jolene, on a local television show which was televised weekly from WEMT-TV Channel 7 (now WVII-TV) studios in Bangor, Maine. He and his sister, Jolene, performed regularly on “Frankenstein’s Country Jamboree”, which in later years became “Stacey’s Country Jamboree”. While being featured performers on Stacey’s Country Jamboree, Jeff and Jolene made frequent appearances throughout Canada with the cast of the TV show. Jeff’s dad was also a part of the musical talent on Stacey's Country Jamboree as well. Jeff and his sister also made occasional appearances on The Curly O'Brien Show.
During his latter years of high school, Jeff*s interest in music influenced him to start his own band, The Mainely Country Band. In 1979, Jeff recorded his first album, "Journey Through The Country", with liner notes written by Maine's own, Dick Curless. Later, in 1988, Jeff recorded another album with Bob Fillion, titled "From Us To You", which won first place honors in 1989 by one of Maine's premier country music organizations, The Down East Country Music Association In 1992, Jeff and his band were the house band for several tapings of The National Country Music Jamboree, taped in Ellsworth and Cherryfield, Maine and was televised weekly throughout North America via satellite.
Jeff, along with the band, has received numerous awards throughout the years from the Down East Country Music Association, Maine Country Music Association, Pine Tree State Country Music Association and the Tennessee based international country music organization, North America Country Music Associations International.
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Richard Knipping - Drums

Richard Knipping started playing the drums at age 8 on a kiddie drum set . After reaching the age of 13, he got a set of Ludwig's and had been taking lessons for a few years. Richard played his first professional gig at the age of 13.
After his high school years, he then hooked up with “The Central Park Band”, a five-piece club/show band performing at various locations on the Jersey Shore and in Philly. The Central Park Band then gained popularity and recognition and were added to the roster and being booked by the prestigious Rothbard Agency in Philadelphia. The band performed at many society gigs, hotels, clubs and casino’s, working with individual singers and comedians.
Then after several years of traveling up and down the east coast, Richard relocated and started playing with the Portland based band, ”One Last Swing”.
In the early 80’s, Richard joined the “Hot Wax” band, a very popular Bangor based band. “Hot Wax” later became “The Rockin’ James Band”. Then after the departure of their lead vocalist, Chuck Jameson, the band became “The Sista Sadie Band” with Sara Peavey as their new vocalist.
In 2012, his musical adventures led him to become the drummer for the popular local country band, “Desperado”. Richard performed for a couple of years with “Desperado”, and is presently laying down the groove with “The Mainely Country Band”.
Richard is a very experienced and versatile drummer who has the ability and finesse to play big band, swing, rock, blues and soul, ragtime, celtic, bluegrass, and country music. As an independent drummer, Richard has also worked on stage and in the studio with Bill Chinnock, John Kay, Mark “Guitar” Miller, Blind Albert, Derrick Semler, Big Daddy and The Accelerators, The Bad Daddy’s, Dave Wooley, Nevah, St. Huckleberry and a host of others.
Richard Knipping is the newest member and a great addition to The Mainely Country Band.
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Ron Gaudet - Lead vocalist, harmony vocalist & bass guitar
MORE INFO COMING SOON!


Mark Miller - Vocals & Lead Guitar
MORE INFO COMING SOON!