The Blues Brothers opens at Springer

The Intercontinental Blues Revue Band
Gordon Aeichele: Saxophone. Is a member of the Toronto-based ensemble, M.I.B. Horns. He was a founding member of the jazz-fusion group, the Steve Sherman Project and has played with many distinguished artists like Ricky Day (Ink Spots), Chuck Jackson (Downchild Blues Band) Mike McKenna (McKenna Mendelson Mainline), James Anthony (The Mamas and the Papas) and Ernie Varga (Conway Twitty). Recently, he has been playing a number of shows including "The Way It Was," "Oakland Soul" and "Bad to the Bone."
Arnae Batson: Vocalist. Is a Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter and producer. Her roots in blues were firmly ingrained during her years in her hometown of Chicago. They were further solidified during her five-year stint as a producer of the 1920s jazz and blues programs at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Her 30 years as a musical performer includes gospel, R&B, hip hop and children's music. She has toured six world continents with artists like Sweet Honey in the Rock, India.Arie, Kelis, Geri Allen and Henry Threadgill. She is currently a featured singer with the Agape International Choir.
Charlie Cooley: Drums. Was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was a standout at Humber College, where he created a firm foundation in the tradition of drummers he admired like Jeff Porcaro, John Guerin, John Bonham and Carlos Vega. When he moved to Toronto with its history of R&B and ethnic diversity, he began playing with artists like Long John Baldry, Leonard Cohen, Anne Murray, Prairie Oyster, the Guess Who and Sass Jordan. He endorses Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads and Calato/Regal Tip Drumsticks.
James Faherty: Keyboards. Is in demand as a versatile pianists whether freelancing in Los Angeles, entertaining on Princess Cruises or gigging in Minneapolis. A Milwaukee native, he received his bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of Minnesota and went on to play with the Supremes, Johnny Thunder (the Drifters) and Jamila Ajibade (the fifth Dimension). Recently, he performed for Vice President Joe Biden at a private fundraiser in Bel Air, Calif., as well as events at Fox and CBS studios.
David Herron: Trumpet. Has more than 15 years of professional experience and is at home with a wide range of musical styles, from musical theater to swing, from pop to classical and Big Band to soul. He has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra as well as the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and performed with artists like the O-Jays, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Lou Rawls, Bobby Rydell and Frankie Avalon. He has also toured with the Broadway productions of "Chicago," "Evita," "Annie" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
Garrett Jones: Bass. Has performed for various national tours including "Monty Python's Spamalot," "Grease," "Guys and Dolls," "Legally Blonde," "The Taffetas" and the Barter Theater's production of "Forever Plaid." The Arkansas native has opened for acts like Hubert Sumlin and Earth, Wind and Fire and has worked with artists like Joe Purdy, the Strut, Miles Ralston, the KMB, the One-Ups and RJ Mischo.
Kory Montgomery: Guitar. Is steeped in the traditions of blues, soul and funk. He has been playing guitar for most of his life. At the age of 16, he was a finalist at the International Blues Challenge. A graduate of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, he has performed with artists like B.B. King, Earth, Wind and Fire, Lee Ritenour, Steve Vai, Greg Adams (Tower of Power), Buddy Guy, JJ Grey & Mofro, the Muddy Waters All-Star Blues Jam Band and his own group, the Kory Montgomery Band.

Jake Blues: Wayne Catania began his entertainment career as a drummer and vocalist in the 1970s, touring in rock and R&B band, including the Stampeders. Touring through Canada, Catania began establishing the stage persona he now has. He wrote and recorded for movie soundtracks, including Jim Carrey’s first film, “All in Good Taste.” Besides his musical career, Catania became a member of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio (ACTRA) and has been cast in such work as “Relic Hunter” with Tia Carerra, “Doc” with Billy Ray Cyrus and had a principal role in “15 Minute Death,” which won a Canadian Golden Sheaf Award. After being hand-picked to play Jake by Dan Aykroyd and the John Belushi Estate, Catania found a perfect role. He, Judy Belushi Pisano, Anne Beatts (of “Saturday Night Live”) and his stage partner, Kieron Lafferty, are writing a television show based on the continuing adventures of Jake and Elwood.
Elwood Blues: Kieron Lafferty was influenced by sneaking into his father’s nightclub, the Electric Circus, where he watched artists like Sam & Dave, Credence Clearwater Revival and the Doors. He spent his youth playing the blues, R&B and jazz circuits and doing session work. In the 1990s, Lafferty released his own CDs, including “Sensible Religion” and “Seven Sisters.” He performed in several independent art films including the sci-fi musical, “Synchronicity,” for which he and Sean contributed the songs and the score. Lafferty made his debut as Elwood in 1998 in the Las Vegas revue, “Legends in Concert.” He was in the A&E docudrama, “Lost in Las Vegas,” produced by Paul Jay. Lafferty and Eric Schenkman of the Spin Doctors wrote the score for “Lost in Las Vegas.” Besides his stage work, Lafferty has worked in commericials, narration and animation and is co-writing the pilot for an action/comedy/musical TV show based on the adventures of Jake and Elwood with Judy Belushi Pisano, Anne Beatts and Wayne Catania.

What: “The Official Blues Brothers Revue,” where Jake and Elwood Blues are once again on a “mission from God” as they make a pilgrimage to Columbus to pay their respects to the Mother of the Blues -- Ma Rainey.
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; also, Tuesday through Oct. 1
Where: Springer Opera House, 103 10th St.
Tickets: $15-$38
Pre-show dinner buffet: 6 p.m. Sept. 24, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, $16 a person
Information: 706-327-3688

When Paul Pierce was looking for a show to open the Springer Opera House’s 2011-12 season, he got a call from Beau Bisson, a former Springer actor, who opened a booking agency in New York.

Bisson was working with two actors, Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty, who were putting together a Blues Brothers show. The Blues Brothers were made famous by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

Catania and Lafferty needed a producer and Bisson thought Pierce and the Springer would be the perfect solution.

In March, Catania and Lafferty, Bisson and Pierce met with Judith Belushi Pisano, John’s widow, and Dan Aykroyd, to put together “The Official Blues Brothers Revue.”

Catania and Lafferty first met when they were cast in a “Legends in Concert” show in Las Vegas 10 years ago. Catania plays “Joliet” Jake (the Belushi role) and Lafferty is Elwood (played by Aykroyd).

Like the 1980 movie, Jake and Elwood Blues are on a “mission from God.” This time, they are making a pilgrimage to Columbus to pay their respect to the mother of the blues, Ma Rainey.

“I’m super-excited,” Pierce said. “There is a warm, noble aspect to this show.”

He said it’s almost a lesson about Rainey as well.

“It’s really about how the blues is the quintessential roots music,” Pierce said. “It began right here on this stage in 1900 when Gertrude Pridgett was 14 years old and in a group called A Bunch of Blackberries.”

A minstrel show came through Columbus, featuring “a rather famous man named Will Rainey, who called himself ‘Pa’ Rainey,” Pierce said.

He said young Pridgett and Rainey ran off together and called themselves Ma and Pa Rainey, the Assassinators of the Blues. She was 18 years old.

Later on, Louis Armstrong joined the band. So did Thomas A. Dorsey, who is often credited to be the architect of Southern gospel.

Lafferty says it’s not just blues that you’ll hear during the show.

“It also involves soul, R&B, gospel and wacky 1950s doo-wop stuff,” he said. “And a touch of reggae. It’s an encyclopedia of American music.”

Putting together a band to back Catania and Lafferty was easier for Pierce than he thought. With the advent of Facebook and Youtube, he could listen to various musicians. Most of the band members also had personal websites where they put their music.

The band includes Gordon Aeichele, saxophone; Arnaé Batson, featured singer; Charlie Cooley, drums; James Faherty, keyboards; David Herron, trumpet; Garrett Jones, bass; and Kory Montgomery, guitar.

“It’s not a musical,” Lafferty said. “It’s a musical revue.”

Catania said, “It’s a pleasure being here. Everybody’s been incredible to work with. There’s a good energy that surrounds the Springer Opera House.”

When the show starts touring Oct. 4, it will boast a special guest each night. A local singer will join the cast. In Columbus, Peggy Jenkins will sing “See See Rider,” which is also known as “C.C. Rider.”

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