Soul Shine: Bios
Bryan Michael Fischer - Lead Vocals
A twenty-year veteran as a front man, Bryan Michael Fischer has developed his own style as a singer. He draws from years singing in the bars and clubs, belting out everything from AC/DC and Led Zeppelin to Otis Redding and Bill Withers, Bob Seger to B.B. King. He has a warm, friendly personality that makes his audiences feel like they are guests in Bryan's living room, just hangin' with a friend. He leads Soul Shine with confidence, but is also ready to step aside and let one of the other band members shine as well.
Bob Wild - Bass
Bass player Bob Wild, is a native of Traverse City. From grade school through high school he played sax, then when he was 18, at the urging of a friend, he sold the sax and bought a bass. From then on he knew he had found his calling! He played in various classic rock, country, and blues bands over the years. His style has always been influenced by his jazz and big band beginnings and his love of the blues, country blues, Texas blues, West Coast blues, delta blues, Chicago blues, Jump blues, Memphis soul, swamp rock, down and dirty blues, and cranked up, rockin' blues. His job is the low end, you feel it in your seat and it moves your feet!
Bill Newland - Drums
In the drum chair is Bill Newland. Bill is an Ann Arbor, Michigan native who spent his high school years playing in various jazz combos. In 1983 he joined the Ann Arbor based surf band The Watusies, which later became the well known blues band The Urbations. In 1991 Bill became the drummer for the J. D. Lamb band which brought him to Northern Michigan. He now lends his skills to The Boogieman & SOULSHINE, working closely with bassist Bob Wild to form a solid foundation for the band. Bill is rock solid with a great feel and can provide the groove needed for a straight-up shuffle, something a bit funky, or just plain rock the house!
Donn Johnson - Guitar
Donn began playing guitar at an early age when his parents gave him his first guitar, a ’64 cherry red Gibson Melody Maker (which he still owns today!). Born and raised in Detroit, he was strongly influenced by the “Motown Sound” and also the Detroit area's exciting rhythm & blues and rock bands. Discovering the blues and all of its many styles inspired a life long fascination of listening, playing, and performing. Major influences include Muddy Waters, Hubert Sumlin, Pee Wee Crayton, Ronnie Earl, Jimmie Vaughn, Kid Ramos, Hollywood Fats, and especially, Kim Wilson and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Prior to joining Soul Shine, Donn was a guitarist with Shakin’ Sevens and The Bacon and Eggs Blues Band.
Tracy Kent - Guitar
Tracy Kent, one-half of Soul Shine's two guitar line-up, grew up in Northern Michigan, and got his first guitar at 9 years old from his dad. Tracy's dad was his first teacher and inspiration, playing at home and parties. When Tracy was 14, his father passed away. In his later teenage years, Tracy moved to Rochester Hills, MI, playing in high school garage bands. In the early-90s he played gospel blues and country in coffee houses and at gatherings. From 1993 to 1995, he played in a Northern Michigan Christian Rock band, playing mostly original music. From the mid-90s til he became a member of Soul Shine, he did some studio work and also chainsaw carvings. Some of Tracy's influences are BB King, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, SRV, Jimi Hendrix, Chet Atkins, Albert King, and Santana. Listening to Tracy rip through a solo, the Stevie Ray and Santana influences are hard to ignore. He plays with passion, attacking each note like Stevie, but using the sweetness and joy that Carlos Santana brings to the instrument. Tracy is a wonderful showman as well. He knows how to play for an audience, and give them the visual as well as the audio elements of a live performance.