Playing Volume B of the Encyclopedia of Funk (that's Blues to Buffett).

Based in the Blues Capital of Michigan (Mecosta County), there’s no venue too small or too big, there’s no place too far, no mountain too high, no fee too large to keep us from getting to your complimentary band dinner-buffet.

The KWPBB’s Brews Brothers rhythm section combines with The Mighty Wind Breakers horn section to play “big band blues”—from Chicago Blues to Key West Caribbean. The KWPBB's repertoire features up-tempo, feel-good “Blues-to-Buffett” music that represents the best in classic R&B, blues, and Jimmy Buffett favorites. Our music are original arrrangements created just for the KWPBB.

KWPBB at Sawmill Saloon 8-6-2022 KWPBB at Big Rapids Band Shell

The Bluesers

Rhythm and Vocals Section: The Brews Brothers

Bass, Keyboards & Lead Vocals
•  "Hotrod" Harry Dempsey
Guitar
•  Mike "Dog" Howe
Drums
•  Groovin' Tony DeLillis  

Horn Section: The Mighty Wind Breakers

Trumpet
•  Jeff "Lockjaw" Gabalis
Alto Sax
•  Dave "Saxman" Swart
Tenor Sax
•  Jodi "Blues" Bloss-Ehnis
Trombone
•  Scott "Slide" Whitney

Book the Band

We're ready to load up the bluesmobile and get to the gig... if it's within a few hours of Big Rapids (Google it, there's only one in the USA). We're always up for a good time, and playing a gig is always a good time for us. Send us an email with your request and we'll get back to you.

 Click for email address.

Gig Calendar

Gig History

May 13, 2023
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Apr 15, 2023
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Oct 9, 2022
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Sept 17, 2022
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Aug 6, 2022
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 23, 2022
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

June 25, 2022
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

May 14, 2022
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Aug 28, 2021
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 31, 2021
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 24, 2021
Doyle Bash (Private Party)
Big Rapids

July 10, 2021
Bands, Brews and Barbecue Festival
Hemlock Park, Big Rapids

June 26, 2021
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Feb 22, 2020
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Jan 11, 2020
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Dec 7, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Nov 9, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Oct 12, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

June 26, 2019
Antlers Fireside Grill
Canadian Lakes

Aug 10, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 20, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

June 29, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

June 26, 2019
Echo Through The Timbers Summer Concert Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

May 11, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Apr 27, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Feb 9, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Jan 19, 2019
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Dec 8, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Nov 17, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Oct 27, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Sept 8, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Aug 15, 2018
Echo Through The Timbers Summer Concert Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

Aug 4, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 14, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

June 30, 2018
Birthday Bash (Private Party)
Hungerford Lake

June 23, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

May 12, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Apr 7, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Aug 15, 2018
Echo Through The Timbers Summer Concert Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

Aug 4, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 14, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

June 30, 2018
Private Party
Hungerford Lake

June 23, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

May 12, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Mar 24, 2018
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Aug 11, 2017
Share the Harvest
Downtown Big Rapids

Jul 26, 2017
Echo Through The Timbers Summer Concert Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

Jul 19, 2017
City of Big Rapids Summer Music Series
Big Rapids Band Shell, Hemlock Park

Jun 30, 2017
Music on the River
Bromley Park, Mecosta

Aug 24, 2016
Sounds of the Forest Summer Music Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

Aug 14, 2016
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 10, 2016
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 8, 2016
Music on the River
Bromley Park, Mecosta

Dec 23, 2015
31th Annual Musicians' Christmas Party
Big Rapids Eagles 2535, Big Rapids

Sep 11, 2015
Spectrum Health Employee Party
Big Rapids

Sep 6, 2015
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Sep 5, 2015
Private Party - Friends and Family Fest
Big Rapids

Aug 16, 2015
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Aug 15, 2015
Private Party on Round Lake
Mecosta

Jul 26, 2015
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 17 & 18, 2015
Music on the patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian lakes

Jul 8, 2015
Sounds of the Forest Summer Music Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

Jul 5, 2015
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jun 5 & 6, 2015
Music on the patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian lakes

May 23, 2015
Driftwood Bar & Grill
Croton

Aug 30 & 31, 2014
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Aug 22, 2014
Private Party at Holiday Terrace
Mecosta

Aug 22, 2014
Music in Pocket Park
Big Rapids

Aug 16 & 17, 2014
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Aug 15, 2014
Music on the patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian lakes

Aug 9 & 10, 2014
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 19 & 20, 2014
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 12 & 13, 2014
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 9, 2014
Sounds of the Forest Summer Music Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

Jun 6 & 7, 2014
Music on the Patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

May 24 & 25, 2014
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Aprr 25, 2014
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Apr 19, 2014
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Nov 27, 2013
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Nov 2, 2013
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Oct 19, 2013
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Oct 5, 2013
FSU Criminal Justice 40th Celebration
Holiday Inn, Big Rapids

Sep 28 & 29, 2013
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Sep 14, 2013
The Inn at St. Ives
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

Aug 10 & 11, 2013
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 27, 2013
Blue Lake Tavern
Mecosta

Jul 26, 2013
Music on the Patio at St. Ives
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

Jul 24, 2013
Big Rapids Band Shell Summer Concert Series
Hemlock Park, Big Rapids

Jul 14, 2013
Reuther Music Pavilion
Canadian Lakes

Jul 10, 2013
Echo Through The Timbers Summer Concert Series
Wenger Pavilion, Baldwin

Jun 29, 2013
Caribbean Night Party
Inn of St Ives, Canadian Lakes

Jun 19, 2013
Senior Enrichment Day
Big Rapids High School Gymnasium

Mar 23, 2013
Cranker's Brewery
Big Rapids

Mar 2, 2013
Cranker's Brewery
Big Rapids

Feb 16, 2013
Cranker's Brewery
Big Rapids

Feb 2, 2013
Cranker's Brewery
Big Rapids

Dec 23, 2012
28th Annual Musicians' Christmas Party
Big Rapids Eagles 2535, Big Rapids

Oct 26, 2012
Cranker's Brewery
Big Rapids

Sep 14, 2012
Music on the Patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

Aug 24, 2012
Music on the River
Bromley Park, Mecosta

Jul 28, 2012
Cranker's Brewery
Big Rapids

July 22, 2012
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 15, 2012
Music on the Patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

July 11, 2012
City of Big Rapids Summer Music Series
Big Rapids Band Shell, Hemlock Park

Jul 8, 2012
Blues, Brews, and Barbeques Festival
Mecosta County Fairgrounds

Fri Jun 22, 2012
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Jun 15, 2012
Music on the Patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

May 27, 2012
Memorial Weekend Party
Gregory's Grille
Canadian Lakes

May 22, 2012
Dedication Celebration
Morton Township Library
Mecosta

Feb 25, 2012
Heinie/Cook Wedding
CK's Place, Big Rapids

Dec 23, 2011
27th Annual Musicians' Christmas Party
Big Rapids Eagles 2535, Big Rapids

Dec. 2, 2011
Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Gala
Holiday Inn, Big Rapids

Sept 9, 2011
Music on the Patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

Aug 19, 2011
Music on the River
Bromley Park, Mecosta

Aug 17, 2011
City of Big Rapids Summer Music Series
Big Rapids Band Shell, Hemlock Park

July 1, 2011
Music on the Patio at the St. Ives Clubhouse
St. Ives, Canadian Lakes

June 19, 2011
Clay Art & Fire Festival
Mitchell Creek Park, Big Rapids

April 29, 2011
Copper Top Pub
Stanwood

Jan 22, 2011
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Dec 11, 2010
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Sept 4, 2010
City of Big Rapids Summer Music Series
The Gate, Big Rapids

Aug 20, 2010
Music on the River
Bromley Park, Mecosta

Aug 13, 2010
Music in Pocket Park
Big Rapids

July 31, 2010
Reggae Night Party
Higgins Lake Boat Club
Treasure Island, Higgins Lake

July 10, 2010
Ferris State University Parade Unit
National Cherry Festival Cherry Royale Parade
Traverse City, MI

June 5, 2010
Clay Art & Fire Festival
Mitchell Creek Park, Big Rapids

Jun 4, 2010
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Apr 23, 2010
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Dec 23, 2009
25th Annual Musicians' Christmas Party
Big Rapids Eagles 2535, Big Rapids

Sept 5, 2009
City of Big Rapids Summer Music Series
Big Rapids Band Shell, Hemlock Park

Aug 21, 2009
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

Aug 20, 2009
City of Big Rapids Summer Music Series
Big Rapids Band Shell, Hemlock Park

July 31, 2009
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

July 31, 2009
Music in Pocket Park
Big Rapids

Sept 27, 2008
MCMC Foundation Northern Lights Awards Show
Big Rapids

July 24, 2008
Troutarama
Baldwin

June 21, 2008
Friends of the Library Benefit
Sawmill Saloon, Big Rapids

June 13, 2008
Music in Pocket Park
Big Rapids

March 1, 2008
Festival of the Arts Big Band Dinner
The Gate, Big Rapids

December 2, 2007
Voca Lyrica Christmas Concert
Big Rapids

A couple of times in 2007
Sawmill Saloon
Big Rapids

A handful of times in 2007 and 2008
Northern Shores Supper Club
Mecosta



KWPBB Music Library

  • Ain't Too Proud To Beg
  • All Summer Long
  • Always Saturday Night
  • At Last
  • Bad Guy
  • Beer In Mexico
  • Blues Is My Business
  • Brandy
  • Brick House
  • Brown-Eyed Girl
  • Burn On
  • Chameleon
  • China Grove
  • Comin’ Home Baby
  • Crossfire
  • Do It Again
  • Down By The River
  • Dreams
  • Everybody's Everything
  • Everybody's Talking
  • Expressway To You Heart
  • Fins
  • Fire And Rain
  • Five O'clock Somewhere
  • Funk The Soul (Medley)
  • Get Ready
  • Getting The Picture
  • Gimmie Some Lovin'
  • Go Down Gamblin'
  • Hard To Handle
  • Haunted Castle
  • Hey Bartender
  • Hit Me With Your Best Shot
  • Hot-Hot-Hot
  • I Can't Turn You Loose
  • I'm A Man
  • I'm In Love With The Other Woman
  • I'm So Excited
  • Introduction
  • It's So Easy
  • Josie
  • Jump Right In
  • Keep Playin' That Rock & Roll
  • Late In The Evening
  • Lawyers, Guns, And Money
  • Let The Big Dog Eat
  • License To Chill
  • Love Letter
  • Margaritaville
  • Memphis Train
  • Mexico
  • Money
  • More And More
  • Mustang/Midnight
  • Not While I'm Around
  • Out Of Touch
  • KWPBB Overture
  • Permafrost Blues
  • Pick Up The Pieces
  • Pink Cadillac
  • Please Come To Boston
  • Rehab
  • Ride Captain Ride
  • Rolling In The Deep
  • Rum And Coconut Water
  • Rumba Man
  • Sea Cruise
  • Sent For You Yesterday
  • Shaky Ground
  • She Caught The Katy
  • Smooth/Havana
  • Smooth Operator
  • Southern Cross
  • Spirit Of The Great Heart
  • Spooky
  • Sweet Home Chicago
  • Take Me To The River
  • That's Enough Of That Stuff
  • That's My Story
  • The House Is A-Rockin
  • The Tiki Bar Is Open
  • Time Won't Let Me
  • Trip Around The Sun
  • Two Piña Coladas
  • Volcano
  • You Are The Best Thing
  • You Got Me Hummin'
  • Walking In Memphis
  • What Doesn't Kill You (Makes You Stronger)
  • What's Up?


Creating a Blues Name

If you are going to play the blues, a good blues name is essential. However, finding the inspiration to come up with just the right name can be tough. The parts of a proper blues name come from three sources.

  • First, think of an ailment or affliction (yuppie-type ailments such as tennis elbow are not suitable for a blues name). This is your first name.
  • Add the name of a piece of fruit, and you have your middle name.
  • End it with the name of a former U.S. President. Put them together and you have a proper blues name.

    • A good example is the blues name Blind Melon Jefferson.

    Use our handy generator to create a potential new blues name. It's easy! Just click the button until you find your perfect blues name.

KWPBB Blues Name Generator

Find Your Blues Name

Photos

The band in action at the Mitchell Creek Band Shell.

KWPBB Brews Brothers Rhythm and Vocals Section

The Brews Brothers

Rhythm and Vocals Section.

Hotrod Harry Dempsey

Our Fearless Leader!

Bass, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, and Composer.

KWPBB Mighty Wind Breakers Horn Section

Mighty Wind Breakers

Horn Section.

Video

A compilation of fan-made video pulled from Facebook.