Fran Drew

Vocalist

First singing on the street corners of the New Orleans French Quarter as a teenager and later in a local gospel band, Fran found her passion and calling. After honing her skills at open mics, she fronted a swing blues band before forming her own combo - The Lucky Strikes.

Her acoustic duo, Mad Max and the Hootchie Cootchie Gal entertain with 'Roots, Blues and Bawdy Ballads' during the warmer months at outdoor events.

Gene Donaldson

Lead Guitar, Vocals

Connecticut Blues Hall of Fame Artist Gene Donaldson has been performing with numerous musical acts since the 70's including Phil Guy, LeeShot Williams, Johnny Rawls, Mary Taylor and The Motown Revue as well as his own band The Stingrays. As a solo artist he covers a wide range of musical genres and artists.

Max Samson

Bass

Max competed in the IBC in Memphis in 2018 with the band EasyBaby. He gigs in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island on a regular basis with the Rich Badowski Blues Band as well as house bass player every Monday with the Whip City Allstars.


During the warmer weather he might be spotted busking with Mad Max and the Hoochie Coochie Gal, an acoustic duo. He is also an in demand sub for many of the Ct area Blues Bands. 

Dennis Cotton

Drums

Dennis Cotton has recorded over 35 albums and toured worldwide as a member of the British Blues/Rock group Savoy Brown, as well as Commander Cody, Duke Robillard, and The British Blues All-Stars.

Rich Badowski

Harmonica, Vocals

Rich  has worked as a studio musician recording with blues legends Sonny Rhodes, Eddie Kirkland and Johnny Rawls,

Rich has been a finalist with several bands in the CTBS Blues Band Challenge and in 2012 won the CTBS Blues Band Challenge and played the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in 2013.

Rich covers a wide range of styles including blues, country, folk, jazz, classical, show tunes, Christmas songs, patriotic melodies, oldies and much more.

Henry Spadoni

Guitar, Vocals

Henry has been playing the blues since the 70’s and has shared the stage with James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, and other blues notables. 

He Now plays with Down The Alley, St. George & the Dragons, Morgan Giosa, and Fran Drew & the Lucky Strikes. 

Introduced to the blues by his parents when he was a toddler, he started playing classical piano, but switched to guitar and the blues at an early age.