Thunderbear

Their original songs draw on various American roots music traditions, which they morph into their own acoustic/electric style. The musical contribution of each member results in a unique and truly authentic sound. Their material has been described as “classic songs, that you’ve never heard before”, and their live shows have a reputation for getting all ages dancing. Their first album is soon to be released and features Garth Hudson on accordion.


BILL “THUNDERBEAR” BARRETT
 
Bill “Thunderbear” Barrett was born in NYC. He grew up in Woodstock, NY, and received a BA in communications from Hunter College in Manhattan. He wrote, illustrated and published the novel Brown Water Café, his photographs of lightning were featured in calendars by BrownTrout Publishers, and his political cartoons have been featured in Earth Times and the Daily Freeman. He has been writing songs and playing gigs (including a time busking in London) since he was a teenager. In the late 1980s he became involved in the NYC music scene, playing with the legendary Joey Miserable and the Worms and in the acoustic band Les Ismore and his Excess Express which featured Jono Manson, John Popper and Joan Osborne.  Now back in Woodstock, he writes songs, sings and plays guitar in THUNDERBEAR.

ERIC PARKER
 
As a composer Eric has written the top forty hit “Crazy Keep on Fallin” and his song “I’m the One” was featured on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His song “Ramona,” as recorded by Grammy nominated jazz artist Cornell Dupree, was the theme for the 1997 Newport Jazz Festival. Eric has toured and recorded with Steve Winwood, Joe Cocker, Lou Reed, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Ian Hunter, Mick Taylor, Kingfish, Todd Rundgren, and Public Enemy, to name a few.  He has also worked directly with Philip Glass on a number of projects.  He brings his considerable talents as a drummer and composer to THUNDERBEAR.

ROB STEIN
 
Originally from Northern California, pedal steel/guitarist Rob Stein has played with a wide variety of artists, from Broadway show orchestras to the Bob Dylan Band. He relocated to Ireland in 1999, where he became deeply involved in Irish traditional music, working with some of the best and most exciting musicians in Ireland. He was introduced to the Woodstock area playing guitar for the legendary John Herald back in the 1990s—and he’s now back in the USA, back in Woodstock, bringing his unique range of musical experiences to THUNDERBEAR.

DAVID ANDERSEN
 
David studied at Berklee College of Music.  He plays electric & acoustic bass and has performed with numerous local and regional acts.  He is also an accomplished recording engineer, producer, and arranger, and in addition to playing bass, he also engineered the sessions for the THUNDERBEAR CD.