The Buffalo Ridge Band and Friends

The Buffalo Ridge Band, one of the acclaimed backup bands in the area, will be featured at The Gathering Place in downtown Cherokee during the Saturday, Jan. 9 Pub Crawl at the 10th Cherokee Jazz and Blues Festival.

Jimmy Davis

The Buffalo Ridge Band was formed in early 2009 as the backup band for Shawn Mayer, shortly after the vocalist from May City placed third on the primetime television show, "Nashville Star." Shawn Mayer and the Buffalo Ridge Band performed 12 concerts over the summer of 2009, playing at some of the region's largest venues, such as Rosefest, and Sticks and Stones Country Bash. The group played alongside such notable artists as John Michael Montgomery, The Guess Who, Andy Griggs, and Josh Gracin.

Jimmy Davis, the organizer of The Buffalo Ridge Band, says the band will continue in its primary role as a backup band when they play at the 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Sat., Jan. 9 Pub Crawl at the Gathering Place, highlighting the talents of other area musicians. Among the "Friends" who will join the BRB that night will be Mark Casey, Paul Sleezer, Michael Hoover, Steve Thomas, Charlie Leissler, Randy Martin, Tiffany Dirks, Keenan Crow, Barb Johnson, Melinda Kimblad and Laura Bernhardt.

Don Demers

The members of the Buffalo Ridge Band are:

Jimmy Davis, Electric Guitar, and Vocals

Born and raised in Cherokee, Jimmy became fascinated with the guitar in his early teens, which led him to play professionally for several years after graduating from high school. Davis returned to Cherokee in 2002 to pursue his musical ambitions, and since then he has helped establish the local music hub "The Gathering Place," along with partners Brian Fulton and Steve Thomas, and has been the band director for two Cherokee Community Theater projects, "Pump Boys & Dinettes" and "Bee Hive."

Davis is a founding member of the locally popular CSN tribute band "Daylight Again," and also performs in other local bands such as The Soggy River Bottom Boys, and The Rock Pilots.

Don Demers, Electric and Acoustic Bass, Vocals

Born and raised on a farm outside of Storm Lake, at age 24 Don bought his first bass guitar and taught himself how to play. Within five years, he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he played backup for such stars as Tanya Tucker, Tracey Lawrence and Shelly West, making numerous television appearances. He currently resides in Storm Lake, where he plays with the musical groups Touch of Broadway, Who's Driving, and The Tom Gary Blues Band, and also performs at his church.

Dave Hinners

Steve Alingh, Keyboards (piano, organ, synthesizers)

Born and raised in Cherokee, Steve started playing music as a child. Shortly after graduating from high school in the mid 70's, he was playing keyboards for a living. After years of playing in the basement, he has come out to share his gift of music with us. Steve is a member of the locally popular CSN tribute band "Daylight Again," and has just completed playing for the Cherokee Community Theater musical, "Bee Hive." Steve resides with his wife and son in Cherokee.

Dave Hinners, Drums, Vocals

Steve Alingh

The multi-talented Dave Hinners has been an active member of the Northwest and Central Iowa music scene since the 1970's. Currently his other gig is playing with "Third Warning." Dave resides in Storm Lake, and is a self-employed piano tuner and repairman.

Come enjoy the music of The Buffalo Ridge Band and their friends at the Cherokee Jazz * Blues Festival Pub Crawl from 10 p.m.- 1 a.m. on Saturday January 9, 2010 at The Gathering Place on West Main Street in Cherokee.