Swift Kicks Band
Swift Kicks Band is a very versatile group of musicians. The people in the band have had to adapt over the years to the ever changing musical tastes of the listening public. When asked what kind of music they play, they have often told their listeners “We play everything from Patsy Cline to Pat Benetar and everything in between.” Their motto has always been to play what the people want to hear even when it may not be what they want to play at that moment because if the people are having fun, so are they.
That same versatility is evident in the members themselves. Johnny Fuller (2nd from right) took over the band almost 20 years ago when the former leader retired. He plays bass with a funky groove and charismatic approach to the crowd. Over his fifty years in the business he has played everything from blues to jazz, country, pop and rock, opening and playing with such names as Kenny Roberts, The Everly Brothers, and Country Music Legend Dick Curless.
Jeff “Lonesome Floyd” Rubin (Far Right) and Skip Wright (Far Left) are both excellent lead guitar players as well as back up rhythm players, yet they both have unique styles of their own. Jeff comes from a more folk and Native American background often playing with a Nammy winning group from NY called the Thunderbird Sisters.(Native American Music Awards) Skip has a more old country twang to his even older Telecaster, but rips off classic rock leads like he was born with a guitar in his hands. He also plays a mean blues harp on country and rock songs. Both Floyd and Skip add to the variety with their mix of country and classic rock vocals singing much of the male material.
Mike “The Animal” Dwyer (2nd From Left) is the real rocker of the group on the drums, as well as some lead vocals and harmonies of his own. He was influenced primarily by rock groups through the years, but has just as much fun playing the newer pumping country and the old disco standards, adding a driving new creative beat to an old tune. No matter what the music, he has an energy on stage that draws the crowd in and won’t let them go.
Then there is Becky Walton, lead singer and baby of the band. She has been singing professionally for about 20 years now, 17 of which have been with Swift Kicks. The guys do quite a mix of classic rock, although she does a few herself (Doobie Brothers, Journey), most of her material is new, female country (Carrie Underwood, Shania, Faith Hill, Gretchen Wilson, etc.). Just for fun she throws in a Melissa Ethridge or a Sheryl Crow or maybe even some Bonnie Raitt. She has won vocal auditions to sing the National Anthem for the New Haven Ravens minor league team at Yale Stadium twice, as well as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester singing in front of some 7000 people. She was also a National Anthem regular for the UMASS Minutemen winter sports teams at the Mullins Center the last six years, was KIX 97.9 Country Star 2005, and has performed at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Her variety of styles is a real asset in these musically changing times.
The band has not changed members since 1993 and the tight grooves and melodies seem to show it. They read each other’s thoughts as if they know what the other is going to do next. They interact with the audience and especially try to get kids involved whenever they play family gigs. They have been fortunate enough over the years to share the stage with such national acts as Big House, Rhett Akins, Rockie Lynne, Blaine Larson, and Toby Keith. To sum it up in one sentence, they are a high-energy show with a diversity of styles.