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Bill Noteman
Harmonica virtuoso Bill Noteman is a Blues veteran who sings and blows harp with a pyrotechnic intensity second to none.  Bill started into his first band in 1964 and was given his first harmonica to learn the opening Harmonica line to the BEATLES song “I Should Have Known Better”. While listening to his older brothers records of Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, Howlin Wolf, and Muddy Waters he found he could play a few notes here and there.

Bill would listen every day when he got home from school and eventually discovered he was learning many more notes and able to play along on some of the solo runs in the tunes. The hook was set and when it took hold the seeds of the Blues were planted and they began growing into the music that would become his passion and release. While serving in the military from 1966-1969 Bill had the pleasure of meeting Eddie Madison, a harp player out of Mississippi, who took the time to teach Bill the true feeling of the instrument as well as the dedication needed to play it.

 On the day they met Bill was walking along playing what he knew when Eddie walked over and asked him “Hey man, ya mind if I see that thing?” Madison ripped that 10 hole Horner up. Bill asked if he would teach him and with a smile Eddie said he would. Eddie taught Bill everything he could and over time Bill started building his own trademark style.

When Bill first heard Paul Butterfield and Charlie Musselwhite he realized this soulful music was timeless, it traveled through all walks of life no matter what race, creed or color you were. As Albert King said “Everybody Understands The Blues”… thank you Albert. Many years and many hours have brought Bill to where he is today, a seasoned veteran of the Blues having played numerous Harmonica festivals with such greats as Charlie Musselwhite, Norton Buffalo, Rick Estrin, Paul deLay, James Harmon, Mark Ford and numerous others Bill definitely has his roots set in the depths of the Blues.

 He had the opportunity to work as a side man with such great bands as Sonny Rhodes, Johnny Nitro, Annie Sampson, Kevin Jarvis and The Scott Joss Band as well as guest appearances with headliners Luther Tucker, Elvin Bishop, Ron Thompson, J C Smith, Volker Striffler and numerous others.

 While honing his talents throughout the bay area playing extensive club dates, events and festivals, Bill shared many Blues stages with his mentors or had the opportunity to open shows for such fantastic artists as Mr. BB King, John Lee Hooker, Paul delay, Rod Piazza, Nick Gravenites, Roy Rogers, Barry Melton, Andy Just, Robben Ford and the Ford Blues Band, Charlie Musslewhite, Tommy Castro, Chris Cain, Carolyn Wonderland, Kenny Neal, Zora Young, Moreland & Arbuckle and more. Bill has recorded for television commercials and done studio work for other bands on their CD projects.

 Bill was lead vocalist and harmonica player with Bill Noteman and the Dusters, which morphed into the Sidewinders, with members Kevin Jarvis, Jimmy Sanchez and Glen Chesari. Bill spent twelve years playing with the Richie Barron Band recording two CD’s, Rather Have The Green Than The Blues and Highway 2000. He also played with Freeway Frank and the Hotwires for eight years as well as a member in a collection of bands since 1964.

Currently working with his own band, Bill Noteman and the Rockets, having written and co produced his own CD “Cream Of The Crop” which is piling up some great reviews both nationally and internationally. While the Rockets continue to perform on a regular basis, Bill has been embarking on a new part time project  with long time friend Kevin Jarvis (Gelb Music) building the Cold Feat Band out of Redwood City, California. Bill continues to enjoy every note he plays, and still finds himself "Burnin' up the Blues" like a flamethrower. Bill is now endorsed by the Audix Microphone Company. read more

 "Mojo" Larry Platz

"Mojo" Larry Platz has been a mainstay on the Northern California music scene since 1980, playing with such bands as Toots, 4 Out Of 5, The Benders, Fargo Brothers, Short Stax, Blue Haze, The Usual Suspects, Uncle Leo, and The Brad Champlin Band. A veteran of literally thousands of gigs since his teens, he's shared the stage with BB King, The Temptations, Robert Cray, Chicago, Elvin Bishop, Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen, David Lindley, Mark Hummel and the Blues Survivors, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Jefferson Starship, The Grass Roots, The Guess Who, Curtis Salgado, Three Dog Night, Tommy Castro David Allen Coe, Wendy DeWitt, Nancy Wright, The Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power. Larry currently maintains a busy schedule with several different bands including The Fargo Brothers, Short Stax, The Hip Replacements, Blues Farm, and Bill Noteman and the Rockets. Casting aside electronic effects, he's most often seen playing his prized 1968 Gibson 335, a custom 66 Stratocaster, or his "mongrel" Tele through a 1954 Fender Super or a1959 Tweed Deluxe    read more