The John Thomas
Blues Band

Johnny is a Canadian blues musician who plays Harmonica and shares the vocals in the band. He began his career in the early 1970s playing with several blues projects before fronting the popular Cadilac Hooker band. It was with this band that he had the privilege of sharing the stage with such blues legends as Roy Buchanan, James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, Savoy Brown, The Siegel Schwall Band, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and many others. Johnny, as he is referred to, possesses a gravely singing voice and an unmistakable Chicago-influenced style of Harmonica playing. Johnny uses Hohner harmonicas, Fender amplifiers, and Astatic / Shure microphones.

After watching the 1963 “Blues at Newport” television special, Trip knew that’s what he wanted to do. He started playing guitar in 1965 and formed his first band, The Creation, in 1966, playing a mix of R&B and rock. Throughout the 60s, while trying to start a blues band, he faced resistance from his fellow bandmates. By the early 70s, he was fronting the band Glass Candle, which gave him the opportunity to back up many major Detroit-area musicians. After a five-year stint playing country music throughout Ontario and British Columbia, he returned to his first love, the blues, playing with noted blues musicians such as Stu Heydon, Wild Child Butler, Chuck Cole, Chicago Pete, Dutch Mason, and many others. He also shared the stage with Donnie Walsh (Downchild Blues Band), Mel Brown (Bobby Blue Band), and his brother Mike Trepanier (Out of the Blue). Trip has now settled into his role as lead guitar and vocals for the John Thomas Blues Band.

Wayne is a Canadian blues musician who plays keyboards and occasionally features his harmonica in the band. He began his career a few decades ago, playing in a variety of local bands, and more recently with the Aardvark Blues Review. Wayne also played for the long-time crowd favourite Brand X, with which he had the pleasure of performing at the 2015 Thunder Bay Blues festival with longtime friend Howie Fryer. Wayne plays the Nord Electro 6 and Yamaha Motif XS7 keyboards, and Hohner Harmonicas.

Howie is a Canadian blues musician who plays drums for the band. He began his career decades ago with the band The Town House 5. He also played with the popular Windsor band The Doc Tones alongside blues guitarist Doc Wright. Howie is a veteran of the music scene and never misses an opportunity to sit in on any blues jam that arises, drawing on his years of experience to bring his talents to the table. He plays a stripped-down Gretsch drum kit with both sticks and brushes, a testament to his drumming skills. Howie and bass player Dave Jarrett are the backbone of the John Thomas band.

Dave is a Canadian blues musician who plays bass guitar and shares lead vocals in the band. He began his career in the late 70s, playing in an alternative rock band called Slick Lick. He also played in the local bands Mercedes, a commercial pop outfit, and Derringer, a classic rock band. He now plays with the immensely popular R&B band The Mojo Wailers and holds down the bottom end in the John Thomas band. Dave was influenced by early rock groups such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Cream, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Dave is an experienced musician whose versatility and talent are admired by his peers. He primarily plays Fender bass guitars, the Fender Precision and the Fender Jazz models.