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— Introduction
T.J. is a man with a vision and nearly 40 years of performance experience to back it up.
— Personal
His passion for music began at the early age of 11 when he started playing bass guitar. By the age of 16, he had organized his first rock & roll band known as T.J. & the Hurricanes, which played in various bars in the south. After high school, he moved to Chicago and started his first professional Rhythm & Blues band known as the Johns Bro. Band.
— Experience
Band Leader & Bass Guitarist for Johns Bro. Band
He provided background music for lead vocalist Denise LaSalle and Chicago Willie (Bill Coday). Performed throughout the Chicagoland area and in nearby cities. The band developed a unique sound and began to write its own music while seeking a recording contract.
Band Leader & Bass Guitarist for NITRO
He formed a new band named NITRO and teamed up with a vocal group called the Notations. In 1976, the Notations recorded a hit record named "I’m Still Here" on Curtis Mayfield’s Gemigo Records. NITRO was the roadshow band.
Singer & Bass Guitarist
He still sings and plays bass guitar in Chicago and nearby cities with The Starlighters and Mississippi Raiders.
After years of traveling, playing stadiums and nightclubs as an opening act for major artists including Natalie Cole, The Spinners, Little Anthony, The Staples Singers, The Chi-Lites, and The Impressions, he started writing and recording his own songs.
— Recordings
Recorded four published songs with MAR-VEL label of Hammond, Indiana.
Recorded four-song CD entitled "This Feeling," an R&B-dance flavored project.
Recorded ten-song CD "In Here Tonight." This is a breakthrough CD that not only showcases T.J’s unique vocal stylings, but also his wonderful songwriting ability, as well as his talent as an arranger. The songs range from Delta Blues ("Just Like You"), upbeat Pop Songs ("Trust Me"), smooth R&B ("You and Me"), to good old Rock and Roll ("Rockin’ and Rollin’ In The U.S.A.").
Additional info:
*Regular Thursday night gig at Fuzzy Navel on 33 East Lake Street, Addison. (630) 279-5189.
Past and upcoming gigs include:
*Half Times in Lombard (12/18/99)
*Rosa's Lounge in Chicago (12/25/99)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (1/15/00)
*Orazio's on 333 Center St. Naperville, IL (630) 357-4350. (1/29/00)
*Lucia Joe Orr Road & Dixie Highway Chicago Hights, Illinois (708) 756-2327 (2/4, 2/5, 2/11 and 2/12/00)
*Tuckaway Tavern Route 30, Crest Hill, Illinois (815) 436-2520 (2/15 and 2/29/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (2/18 and 2/19/00)
*Kam's at 131 East Chicago Ave., Westmont (630) 852-5995 (2/26/00)
*Ringside Sports Club 1122 West Devon Ave. Elk Grove Village (847) 895-9444 (3/3/00)
*Sidelines 2843 N. Halsted, Chicago (773) 528-7569 (3/4/00)
*The Long Horn Route 83 and Archer Ave. (3/10/00)
*Sauk Village Bowl 1771 Sauk (3/11 and 3/18/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (3/17/00)
*Club Infinite 620 South Halsted, Chicago Hights (708) 754-5535 (3/24 and 3/25/00)
*Tuckaway Tavern Route 30, Crest Hill, Illinois (815) 436-2520 (3/31/00)
*Barrington Rockhouse 720 S. Barrington Road Streamwood (630) 213-1456 (4/7/00)
*Ye Olde Town Inn 18 W. Busse Mt. Prospect (847) 392-3750 (4/28/00)
*Lucia Joe Orr Road & Dixie Highway Chicago Hights, Illinois (708) 756-2327 (5/5, 5/6, 5/12 and 5/13/00)
*The Bridge Nightclub 201 E. Romeo Road (135th Street) (815) 886-5600 (5/19/00)
*120 West 120 West Green St. Bensenville (630) 238-9550 (5/20/00)
*Kam's at 131 East Chicago Ave., Westmont (630) 852-5995 (5/27/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (6/2/00)
*Tuckaway Tavern Route 30, Crest Hill, Illinois (815) 436-2520 (6/8/00)
*The Front Row 3927 Sauk Trail Richton Park (708) 755-7560 (6/10/00)
*Village Bowl 1771 Sauk Trail Sauk Village (708) 758-2595 (6/16 and 6/17/00)
*Lucia Joe Orr Road & Dixie Highway Chicago Hights, Illinois (708) 756-2327 (6/30, 7/1, 7/7 and 7/8/00)
*MontFord Point Marine Association 7011 S. Vincennes Ave Chicago (773) 375-9230 (7/2/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (7/28/00)
*Miss Kitty's 634 E. Ogden (US 34) Naperville (630) 357-2420 (7/29/00)
*Weinkeller 651 Westmont Dr. Westmont (630) 789-2236 (8/4/00)
*The Bridge Nightclub 201 E. Romeo Road (135th Street) (815) 886-5600 (8/5/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (8/25/00)
*The Front Row 3927 Sauk Trail Richton Park (708) 755-7560 (8/26/00)
*Beale Street Blues Café 1550 N. Rand Road Palatine (847) 776-9850 (9/2/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (9/15/00)
*Lucia Joe Orr Road & Dixie Highway Chicago Hights, Illinois (708) 756-2327 (9/29 - 30/00)
*Lucia Joe Orr Road & Dixie Highway Chicago Hights, Illinois (708) 756-2327 (10/6 - 7/00)
*Toys For Tots Bike Run Dukane Chapter ABATE, Make A Wish Route 25 Batavia (10/8/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (10/13/00)
*Lucia Joe Orr Road & Dixie Highway Chicago Hights, Illinois (708) 756-2327 (10/27/00)
*Private Party St. Brides Chicago (10/28/00)
*The Brauer House 57 North Hillside Ave. Hillside 1 Block North Of Harrison, 3 Blocks West Of Wolf Road (708) 449-8900 (11/3/00)
*Kam's at 131 East Chicago Ave., Westmont (630) 852-5995 (11/11/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (11/17/00)
*The Bridge Nightclub 201 E. Romeo Road (135th Street) (815) 886-5600 (11/24/00)
*Private Party Chicago, IL (11/25/00)
*The PC Lounge Route 53 Bolingbrook (Behind McDonalds) (630) 739-3555 (12/2/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (12/8/00)
*Batavia Bowl (630) 879-7069 (1/26/01)
Radio Play:
WSSD - 88.1 FM Chicago
WXRT - 93.1 FM Chicago
WJKL - 94.3 FM Elgin
WDCB - 90.9 FM College of DuPage
WLLI - 96.7 FM Joliet
WNIB - 97.1 FM Chicago
WCKG - 105.9 FM Chicago
Current Band:
T.J. has now formed The Tenry Johns Band, which intends to promote his current CD. The members include: Larry Kucera (Guitar), formerly with Big Daddy Roaches, Premium Blend, Fishy Motion, and Beggar's Banquet; Bob Crane (Guitar and Lap Steel Guitar), formerly with Crazy Mama, Premium Blend, and owner of Red Dog Music; Ken Barker (Keyboards), formerly with Johnny B. Moore, Bonnie Lee, Freddie Roulette, Willie Kent, NITRO, and The Johns Bros Band; and Ronnie Vykruta (Drums), formerly with Beggar's Banquet, Crazy Mama and Premium Blend. This band is currently available for bookings.
Read our review in Blues Revue, Issue 54, January/February 2000.