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Where did The IMPACT Band (known earlier
as the Full Impact Band) come from?
Heres your answer:
In 1992, two brothers decided to put together
a band. Greg Wolfgang had just returned from military duty
in the Middle East in operation Desert Storm. Bob Wolfgang
was working for an engineering firm. They shared a common
goal: to put together a dance / party band and start playing
clubs in the Harrisburg area. Both Greg and Bob were vocalists,
so they started calling musicians and networking to find band
members. Shortly thereafter, the Full Effect Band was born.
The band went on to become the most popular dance band in
central PA., playing the biggest clubs in the area and drawing
the biggest crowds. They started playing bigger clubs out
of the area: Philadelphia, Baltimore, shore points, etc. Greg
left the band in the spring of 1999 and Bob left later that
same year.
In January 2000, Greg and Bob decided to put
together another band. Greg called Glenn Kuhns,
a saxophone player they had worked with before and one of
the best in the area. Glenn recommended drummer Jeff Cox and
keyboardist Greg Touloumes - having worked with them in the
Jimmy D Band. Then Jeff called Chuck Seay, considered to be
the premier R&B bass player in Harrisburg. Jeff and Chuck
had worked together in the Daine Paul Russell Band. Greg then
called Antonio Fountain, the guitarist who had just left their
previous band. There isnt a better rhythm guitarist
in town than Tone B ! says drummer Jeff Cox. Trumpet player
Steve Walthius had worked with Full Effect before and more
recently with Blitz Dynette. While a great trumpet player, Steve's background is symphonic and classical - but you've got to hear him do his Louis Armstrong solo. Steve then got in touch with Bill Gingrich, Harrisburg's premier trombonist (and the only trombonist who wears a beeper) also formerly with Blitz Dynette, and he joined the
band. Bill Gingrich then contacted lifelong friend, partner in numerous musical crimes, and the Godfather of horn players in central PA.- Bill Perbetsky. Bill is head of the music department at Susquehanna High School and is regarded as the best on trumpet and flugelhorn in town! Jeff Falcone, a vocalist well known to central Pennsylvania
audiences, joined the band after leaving as lead
vocalist for Full Effect. Jeff brings unparalleled
energy on and off the stage. Keep your eyes open at our gigs, because Jeff is gonna' be climbing something! The youngest member of the band, female vocalist Janelle Verones, started working with the Impact Band in December 2001. A great addition to the band, she's quickly captured the fans in central PA. Bob Wolfgang retired from the band in 2001 but his influences remain. With Bobs
background in soul music, he was a driving force in building
the band and its organization, as well as the bands
direction, and hes always welcome back on stage.
So theres the short story on The IMPACT
Band. Ten musicians - throwin the funk at cha
- just playin that groove that makes you move ! The
band covers music from the 1970s through 2002: Earth,
Wind & Fire, James Brown, Tower of Power, the Ohio Players,
and KC & the Sunshine Band - all the way up through Pink,
Nelly, Christina Aguilera, and Shaggy. Their version of Lady
Marmalade brings down the house. Once youve heard
them do their Play That Funky Music medley, youll
know what we mean when we call them the groove merchants
!! You can send them an e-mail to: TheImpactBand@aol.com
- and they will add your address to their e-mail list.
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