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All About Sh-Boom

Overview|A Closer Look|Booking Information|History|Fun Facts

Overview

SH-BOOM, an eight piece rock 'n' roll nostalgia band performed the greatest hits of the 50's, 60's, and 70's regularly from 1983 to 2014. Their highly entertaining and energetic delivery of the greatest rock music ever written kept the group on top for over three decades. SH-BOOM performed extensively throughout the central U.S., with their popularity centered in Missouri and Illinois. SH-BOOM also performed throughout the USA, Acapulco, Cancun, San Juan, the Bahamas, and on cruise ships. In addition, SH-BOOM hosted numerous "fan getaways" to resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Playa del Carmen, Caribbean cruises, and a 20th Anniversary trip to Memphis, TN.

SH-BOOM's schedule concentrated on special fundraising and corporate events, in addition to appearances in the region's most popular public venues and outdoor festivals. Over the years, SH-BOOM events helped raise literally hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities and non-profit organizations.

Over the years, SH-BOOM assembled an incredibly loyal fan base. The success enjoyed by SH-BOOM evolved from a unique blend of talented members, off-stage friendship, and humor. The result is an on-stage delivery of spontaneous and infectious fun. An extensive repertoire, professional showmanship, and unique parodies of musical celebrities like Elvis, Ike & Tina Turner, Sonny & Cher, Buddy Holly, James Brown, and the Blues Brothers, allowed SH-BOOM to delight audiences of all ages.

With remarkable consistency, SH-BOOM was a smash hit at over 2,000 appearances from 1983 to 2014.

A Closer Look  

Versatile Musicians...
The energetic ensemble included a male vocal quartet, two guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, and horns.

"Guest Star" Parodies...
In addition to performing songs from the most prolific era in music history, SH-BOOM also presented parodies of superstars such as Sonny & Cher, Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Blues Brothers, Ike & Tina, Tom Jones, James Brown, Queen, Joe Cocker,, and many more, all choreographed and professionally costumed.

Extensive Song List...
With over 700 songs from more than 500 artists, you were not likely to see the same show twice. Choreography, props, and costumes were incorporated into the show to capture the audience's attention, and keep them continuously entertained.

Every Venue Under the Sun...
SH-BOOM adapted to a wide-variety of venues including fairs, festivals, corporate events, conventions, institutional fundraisers, concerts in the park, Caribbean cruises, benefits, nightclubs, car shows, company picnics, and much more. SH-BOOM proved very popular with theme-oriented events such as 50's sock hops or 60's and 70's parties.

Sh-Boom Unplugged...
SH-BOOM was also available to book as a vocal quartet. The vocalists from SH-BOOM occasionally performed "acappella" for smaller, more intimate venues. The acappella quartet frequently performed the National Anthem at professional sporting events such as St. Louis Cardinals baseball and St. Louis Blues hockey. Anthem performances also included college basketball, professional soccer & professional basketball. SH-BOOM also performed the National Anthem for President George W. Bush.

Reliable and Professional...

SH-BOOM was a Midwest institution, performing together since 1983. Uniquely, SH-BOOM retained many of the original band members. SH-BOOM performed over 2,000 shows together, while re-booking more than 90% of venues played. Clients frequently commented that SH-BOOM delivered more than they expected, with 100% audience satisfaction every time! SH-BOOM's show was appropriate for families and all age groups.

Booking Information

To contact SH-BOOM send an email to sh-boom@sh-boom.com.

Newsletter...
SH-BOOM spared no expense in marketing to their fan base. The band published a newsletter, the Yakety Yak, mailed to over 2,000 fans.

Email Blasts...
SH-BOOM also promoted the band using email to over 1,000 addresses. The band keeps their fans informed of any breaking news, new events, and last minute changes... all via email.

SH-BOOM maintains an active presence on Facebook where the band promotes public shows and events.

History of SH-BOOM

Dave Caito (vocals) and Brad James (vocals) first appeared together as members of the band, "Big Daddy Glasspack and the Muffler Kids", circa 1978. Their first performance together was a choir concert and talent show at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis . Rob Miller (bass guitar) and Scott Lackey (vocals), also Lindbergh grads, appeared as separate entities in the same show. At the time, all four were students in Lindbergh's choral department.

In 1980, Brad, Dave, and Rob met again in the music department at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. They joined forces with classmates Rick Johnson (vocals) and Marc Gaither (vocals) to perform at school functions and community events. The name "SH-BOOM" was chosen by polling students and faculty on campus, and was first used in the fall of 1981.

After performing intermittently for two years with several personnel variations, Scott joined the group in 1983 to establish the vocal quartet that would remain intact for the next 15 years! Subsequently, the group enlisted four musicians who would provide SH-BOOM with the stability to move forward. With the line-up of Dave, Brad, Rick, Scott, Rob, Dave Market (guitar), Jeff Bartholic (guitar), and Dave Wack (drums), SH-BOOM gave their first performance at a private party at Jefferson Barracks Park in St. Louis County in May, 1983.

Mike Watermann (drums) joined SH-BOOM in 1984, Ben Lackey (guitar) in 1988, and Tom Gerke (guitar) in 1988. In 1998, vocalist Rick Johnson retired from SH-BOOM. Lamar Pilsing (vocals) was added to the group in the fall of 1998. In June of 2002, Mike (drums) moved to Santa Rosa, CA. Dennis Roussin (drums) was added to the group in 2002. In 2007, Ron Roskowske replaced Tom Gerke on guitar. In 2010, Scott Lackey (vocals/sax) retired from the band, but returned for the band's final year together. In January, 2011, Justin Straight (sax/flute) was added to the band. Other band members have included Gary Minnick (drums 1984), Gene Ackmann (keyboards 1984), Mike Cooke (keyboards 1985), and Tom Lolley (vocals 2011).

SH-BOOM's final line-up consist of:

  • Dave Caito (vocals, keys): Founding member 1983
  • Brad James (vocals, keys, bass): Founding member 1983
  • Rob Miller (bass, keys, vocals): Founding member 1983
  • Scott Lackey (vocals): Founding member 1983
  • Ben Lackey (guitar, vocals): Joined in 1988
  • Lamar Pilsing (vocals, trumpet): Joined in 1998
  • Dennis Roussin (drums, vocals): Joined in 2002
  • Ron Roskowske (guitar): Joined in 2007
  • Justin Straight (sax/flute): Joined in 2011
  • Pete Colombo (stage manager): Joined in 1987
  • DJ Kent (sound and lighting engineer): Joined in 1998

Sh-Boom Fun Facts

  • Ben began as a member of the road crew, then auditioning on guitar when one musician left.
  • Ben and Dave are cousins.
  • Rob operates a recording studio called "Fastrack Productions", and teaches music in the public schools.
  • Brad was a cellist with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and toured with the group in Great Britain.
  • Tom Gerke toured for several years with the nationally known Elvis impersonator, Ron Furr.
  • Former drummer, Mike Watermann (1984-2002) resides in Santa Rosa, CA and still works in the radio industry. Mike was a well-known radio personality and executive in St. Louis. He now plays drums for various bands in the San Francisco area.
  • "Big Daddy Glasspack" was Scott Nienhaus who's past credits include touring with The Byrds, Firefall, and the Nicolette Larson Band.
  • Sh-Boom has provided the vocals for several radio jingles and commercials.
  • In April, 1999, Sh-Boom was the recipient of the first ever, "Meramec Alumni Walk of Fame" award at St. Louis Community College at Meramec. The Walk of Fame was created as a site to recognize successful former college students.
  • One of Sh-Boom's career highlights was an hour-long interview on KMOX radio with the late Hall-of-Fame Sportscaster, Jack Buck.
  • Fontella Bass (Rescue Me) has performed with Sh-Boom.
  • Retired NFL Tight End and NFL Hall-of-Famer, Jackie Smith, once sang "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" with Sh-Boom.
  • Former NFL Defensive Lineman, Pete Lazetich has performed with Sh-Boom.
  • Since 1988 Sh-Boom regularly performs the National Anthem and "God Bless America" at Busch Stadium for St. Louis Cardinal baseball.
  • Sh-Boom sang the National Anthem for a George W. Bush rally in 2000.
  • Sh-Boom once purchased four pink bridesmaid dresses they saw at a wedding reception where the band was performing. The dresses became the wardrobe for Sh-Boom's "Sh-Bimbo's" skit! The wedding was that of the sister of former Sh-Boom vocalist, Lil' Ricky.
  • Speaking of those dresses, Bad Brad once shook hands with former U.S. Attorney General, John Ashcroft (then, Missouri Governor) while wearing a dress. Brad wore the dress, not Mr. Ashcroft!
  • Sh-Boom performed for one client for more than 27 consecutive years! Thanks to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Oakville, MO.
  • Sh-Boom was one of the first bands in the Midwest to establish a web site in the mid-1990's.
  • Sh-Boom estimates they have performed the song, "Louie, Louie" over 1,700 times.
  • Sh-Boom once made Page #1 of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (it's a long story!).
  • Sh-Boom has chartered planes some 70 times to fly to various performances. 68 of those flights were trouble-free!!
  • In 2006, Sh-Boom was flown by charter jet to the famous Greenbrier Resort in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia for a corporate function. The resort is the site of the once-secret bunker constructed for the US Senate and House of Representatives during the cold war era.
  • For Sh-Boom's annual Halloween shows at the Casa Loma Ballroom, the band has dressed up as all of the following; a polka band, a country band, the "Pit Bulls from Hell" punk band, escaped inmates, the KISS band, Gilligan's Island characters, dead rock 'n' roll musicians, the Wizard of Oz characters, an all-Elvis band, characters from the movie Grease...and numerous others we don't even remember!
  • SH-BOOM has performed in California on three separate occasions; 2014, 2015, and 2016. These concerts were reunions with former drummer, Mike Watermann.
  • In 2016 in Santa Rosa, California, SH-BOOM performed "Spirit in the Sky" with the man who originally wrote and recorded the song, Norman Greenbaum! The video of that performance is on YouTube, and has received more than 55,000 views to date!

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Sh-Boom Oldies Band
P.O. Box 752 Eureka, MO 63025 (314)48SHBOOM (314)487-4266
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