Bandleader and tenor saxman, Michael Vice, has been playing Soul and Rhythm & Blues music for more than forty years.

Born in Houma, La. in 1947, he grew up listening to the 50s R & B styles of Fats Domino and Little Richard. He dreamed of one day having the opportunity to perform with one of these recording artists and perhaps to receive recognition as a music artist himself. Little did he know that one day his childhood dreams would come true!

 In early 1964, having had no formal musical training, he purchased a used tenor sax for $75 and began to teach himself to play with the help of two friends who were in the high school band.

Michael joined his first dance band, the Shadows, at the age of 16 and began performing at weddings, school dances, festivals and later night clubs. After the Shadows disbanded he continued to perform with several bands including local favorite the Emeralds.

From 1969-71 Michael played baritone sax with the nine-piece jazz-rock group Stone, which showcased the music of Chicago; Blood, Sweat & Tears; and Three Dog Night. For the next two years Michael played with the country group Cotton & the Boll Weevils, and in 1974 joined the local variety group Gerald Babin & the Rhythm Kings. When the bandleader retired Michael became the business manager and over the next several years the Rhythm Kings became one of the most successful groups in South La., opening shows for artists such as Bobby Vinton, Frankie Ford and Percy Sledge.

In 1982 Michael played baritone sax with the Country Sunshine Band participating in the Wrangler Starsearch Country Music Competition. After winning the local and state contests the group flew to Nashville to perform in the national competition on the Grand Ole Opry stage, and was chosen one of the top 10 finalists. This performance was filmed for national broadcast.

In October 1983, Michael joined a new group – The Blue Eyed Soul Revue – which was formed to capitalize on the recent revival of 60s and 70s black music. Michael had finally come back to his musical roots.

The six “funky white boys” began to explore the vast repertoire of Soul and R & B hits of the most popular black artists of the Soul era. Before long the group was in great demand, opening shows for such music legends as Fats Domino; Bobby “Blue” Bland; Chubby Checker; Blood, Sweat & Tears, and others. Michael and Blue Eyed Soul were soon performing concerts backing such artists as the Platters, Percy Sledge, Ernie K-doe, Jean Knight, Sam Moore and King Floyd. The band has performed numerous times at the prestigious New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival backing up several local and national recording artists through the years.

The biggest thrill of Michael’s professional music career came in the spring of 1990 and again in the fall of 1992. He was asked to play baritone sax with the Fats Domino Band on two European concert tours, performing in such cities as Amsterdam, Paris, London, Vienna, Dublin and others throughout seven countries.

Now as manager of the eight-piece Blue Eyed Soul Revue his goal is to keep the group in the music spotlight and to continue to entertain their many fans with the greatest soulful hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s, performed with musical excellence.

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Jim's father played trumpet in school until he went into WWII. Jimbeaux wasn't allowed to play the old horn his dad kept in the closet until he got his permanent front teeth at the age of 12. 

He then began taking private lessons, and played in school bands at the Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio. 

Jim played in the world-famous "Massillon Tiger Swing Band," where they eventually went to Detroit for the International Lions Convention.  They won first place in the marching band competition, and had a picture feature the front page of the Detroit newspaper.  He was also a featured soloist during the halftime show at the Cincinnati Bengals' very first ballgame.

Jim attended Findlay College, where he majored in music.  His first professional music gig was with "The Blues Soul," a soul band he joined in 1967.  The Band played nightclubs, parties, & concerts with groups like the "O'Jays."  He recorded 2 singles that became hits on local radio stations and even played at Jim's junior & senior prom. 

In 1972, Jim joined the traveling show band "Arcade," and toured the Eastern half of the U.S. with them and their sister group, "Krisp!"

After a decade on the road, Jim settled in Houma (La.), and joined the house band at "Madam's" Nightclub, the "River-Bottom-Band." Soon after, he met Mike Vice and played a short time with his "Rhythm Kings." 

Jim & Mike are founding members of the "Blue-Eyed Soul Revue." Says Jim, "this music has come full-circle for me.  I'm playing those great horn parts again that I learned back in high school with the "Blue Soul."

One of Jim's greatest rewards in music was in 2002, where "Blue-Eyed Soul" was inducted into the Louisiana Music Legends  Hall of Fame.

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Born and raised in Houma, Louisiana Travis Lovell was practically birthed with drumsticks in his hands. At an early age, he pursued the endurance of his heart with the talent God had given to him to play drums. He has molded a versatile and innovative approach to the drum kit allowing him to become a disciplined and controlled musician in many known bands.

A few of his musical influences include Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Ohio Players, The Meters, Rebirth Brass Band, 311, and Incubus. At the age of 10, he was asked to begin playing for his local church. This gave him the ability to play in many churches and festivals from Louisiana to New York City and also several studio experiences. At the age of 18, Travis was in contact with Randy May of May International and was titled a Regional Artist of May International, the inventors of the internal drum miking system.

Travis began performing in clubs, festivals, and also hosted several jam nights to establish a name for himself and experience new atmospheres. Known for his “solid and in the pocket groove” he found himself playing 3-4 nights per week with different bands across the state of Louisiana.

Travis was contacted to begin a three night per week contract on “World’s Famous” Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. Playing clubs such as The Famous Door, Bourbon Street Blues Company, Razoos, and the Krazy Korner, he began meeting and performing with some of the most talented musicians in the heart of the crescent city.

Upon completion of this contract, Travis was contacted to audition for Blue Eyed Soul Revue. Travis excelled in the audition and began performing shows with an attitude that the sky was the limit. He has shared the stage and shows with popular bands such as Papa Roach, Trust Company, Trapt, The Black Crowes, Cheap Trick, Sir Mix A Lot, Diamond Rio, and John Michael Montgomery. Travis is the youngest drummer to ever sit behind the “2005 Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame Inductee” and “The Golden Voice of Soul” Percy Sledge. 

“At the age of 25, it’s a great honor to be an essential ingredient of the Percy Sledge show and I look ahead with excitement to what the future has in store for my life” -Travis Lovell.

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Owner, engineer of the Upstairs Studio 985-798-7616 ... specializing in Karaoke music tracks and production of music CDs.

Equipment: Rolands piano, Hammond xb2 with Leslie, Alesis 6.2 synthesizer.

Started playing professionally at age of 12 on guitar and drums. Progressed to keyboards and found a nitch there.

Worked with: Debbie and the Ladds, The Bad Habits, Stone, Nation,  Wade Bernard, Percy Sledge, Seabrook, Vin Bruce, Gary T., The Bayou Kings, Frogman, Roy Head, Troy Shondelle, The Treater Band, D.J. Collins, just to name a few.

Currently enjoying the pure essence of soul music with the Blue Eyed Soul Revue and having the honor to work with Percy Sledge once again.

Ronnie has produced many CDs for several local artist including: The Bayou Kings, Seabrook, Gene Rodrigue, Wade Bernard, Gilligan, The Collins Family,  Vin Bruce, Mike Borne, etc...

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Tammy was born Sept. 28, 1957 and always wanted to be a singer.  Tammy went to a private school growing up where she was inspired by Sister Dolores.  She was the "Singing Nun"  so to speak and that is how she developed her love for the ukulele. She also played in church growing up, playing her guitar and singing.  She plays piano and guitar and teaches  Creative Music classes to young children. She's also a Cosmetologist of 21 years.  

She started singing at the age of 5.  Her first performance was at the age of 6. Tammy started competing in local and state talent shows at 11.  At state levels she won 1st and 2nd Place each year. 

Tammy's recorded with several different artist but never saw herself as a Soul singer. She soon found it to be her calling.  Tammy has played in many local groups, rock, country, you name it.  Her love for music only grew stronger.  She had many record company's interested in her music but decided that wasn't where she wanted to be at the time.  On the road seemed like a long and unknown journey, so she decided to pass up her opportunity at the time and work locally. 

Growing up she was inspired by Stevie Nicks, Pat Benetar, Heart, Bonnie Raitt, and many others.  She had no doubt that she would end up singing rock and roll.  However, when she joined Blue Eyed Soul in 1996 everything changed.  Her horizons in music expanded to areas she never dreamed she would be singing. 

Tammy's hobbies are coaching baseball, finding homes for abandoned pets, and just being a mom.  She has 3 children,  and soon to be grandmother.....

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Buddy Benoit
Vocals

Born and raised in South Louisiana, Buddy has lived music for nearly 3 decades.  He was always around music because music was always around him.  His career started in Junior High School playing in the Jazz Ensemble  (Trombone, Bass Guitar).  Soon after graduating he began to play in local groups for weddings and private parties.  Living on a steady diet of Rock and Rhythm and Blues, he moved on to playing regionally in several bar bands before landing a side job with The Blue Eyed Soul Revue, and touring internationally with Percy Sledge.  But between family commitments and his full time job, he had to bow out in 1996.  Well, it's been 10 years and he's back ready to go to work.  List of credits include:  Percy Sledge, Frankie Ford, Jean Knight, Oliver Morgan, Tab Beniot and Knight Studio.

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A native New Yorker, David now resides in Hammond, LA. He began playing the acoustic upright bass at age 5 and switched to the electric bass at 10.

He studied classical bass through college with Robert Roke of the New Orleans Symphony and later at the University of Wisconsin with Richard Davis.

During the course of his career David has played with such notables as Chuck Beery, Bo Diddley and many legendary Blues artists such as Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Katie Webster, Phil Guy and Lazy Lester.

His TV credits include the Tonight Show with Jay Leno when he was the road bassist with Delbert McClinton as well as Austin City Limits.

Movie credits include "Blaze" with Paul Newman and "The Big Easy" with Dennis Quaid.

Recording credits include "Back to Bogalusa" with Clarence Gatemouth Brown, "Wish You Were There" with Bobby Charles and "Johnny's Blues" with Johnny Cash.

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Back in the day a young 15 year old Ronny Arcement was learning every guitar lick he could get his hands on.

Practicing around the clock he was surely destined to be the next rock guitar God. That was until that fateful day. The father of the bass player at the time made a statement that would change everything.

“Play Matilda and I’ll buy you boys a PA”.  

For those of you who may not be familiar with the classic tune, let’s just say it represented what our parents’ listened to. Although we did get a PA out of the deal, playing the tune to our friends at school often left us without lunch money.            

It didn’t take long to realize that success wouldn’t come from playing the technically challenging rock he had mastered.  Making a buck and playing to a crowd meant conforming to the masses. It was a fortunate turn of events. “Being forced to cover many styles of music definitely helped to mature my playing.”       

Since then he’s been in all types of bands, country, rock, swamp pop, soul and even switches to bass on rare occasions.

His desire to learn music from every angle eventually led to the building of his own recording studio. There he recorded everything from cajun, country, heavy metal to Christian rock. It was also an outlet to create and record his own brand of over the top instrumental guitar music.

“During my recording days I was surprised to be inspired by the most unlikely forms of music considering my tastes at the time.  William “Bill” Bricnac who I miss dearly was talented beyond his years and introduced me to traditional Cajun music. A young (at the time, he he) Christian rock group called Insitu opened me up to another form of music I would have never delved into otherwise. ” 

The highly acclaimed album “Swamp Pop Fever” was recorded in his home studio which featured Derek Shane, the cavalire Dean Charpentier and Gary “Ace” Angelette. For this project he would assume the role of guitarist and producer.   

In addition to his musical ventures he recently earned a degree of science from Charity School of Nursing. There he also earned an award for Outstanding Clinical Performance in Mental Health Nursing.  “The highlight of that experience has to be the clinical time I spent post Katrina in the few remaining functional hospitals in and around New Orleans. One being a high tech fully functional tent hospital deemed “The Spirit of Charity”.  I was honored to learn from and work with the most incredible medical staff one could imagine. Their dedication and selflessness is beyond words.”     

As guitarist and vocalist for Blue Eyed Soul Ronny honors the roots of Soul while adding a bit of edge.

Edge meaning those insane irritating guitar licks he couldn’t make a buck with originally.

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