
THE VINCENTHAYESPROJECT
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Led by Vincent Hayes on vocals and guitar, and fueled by one of the tightest rhythm sections in modern blues, the Vincent Hayes Project has recently been receiving world wide acclaim for their new CD release of original inspired blues titled, "Reclamation", which debuted in June 2010 at #20 on the National Living Blues Top 25 Chart, and at #2 on the Michigan Roots Radio Chart. Released in March 2010 on North 61 Records, Reclamation was recorded in Lansing, MI with Grammy winning producer/engineer Glenn Brown (Spinal Tap, Greg Nagy, Root Doctor, Kid Rock), and is available online at the band's website, cdbaby.com, iTunes, CDmojo, and more.
In addition to hosting the popular weekly Sunday Blues Jam at the Deelite, in Grand Haven, MI, and being regulars on the Michigan festival circuit, the band has shared the stage or opened for The Steve Miller Band, Ludicris, Joe Bonamassa, Frank Bang’s Secret Stash, and more. In 2006 & 2007 The Vincent Hayes Project competed as one of 130 semi-finalists in the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN to rave reviews, and in the summer of 2007 the band was invited to tour with counter culture icon and blues guru, John Sinclair (of the MC5) as his backup band of "Blues Scholars".
What makes this group unique is its raw power coupled with subtle dynamics and versatility. The VHP is founded on the Blues, but still manages to find the blues within other musical genres, drawing inspiration from a wide array of backgrounds in funk, reggae, soul, jazz, gospel, rock, Motown, and American folk, as all of these genres essentially trace their lineage to the Blues. The goal is to make good music-whatever that may be. Live, the band is a veritable blues machine, cranking out well-crafted inspired original songs fueled by Hayes’s high-energy stage presence and ferocious guitar work, and driven by an ultra-tight rhythm section made of Dave “The Butcher” Alves on bass guitar, and Donnie “The Guru of Groove” Hugley on drums. With the addition of Christian VanAntwerpen and Steve "Doc" Yankee on keyboards in 2010, the band is diversifying their sound with new layers of melody, improvisation, and musicianship.
In the summer of 2010 the band released an independent short film on their website titled, “The Making of Reclamation”, an 18 minute journey into their studio sessions with Glenn Brown, which includes a brief history of the band and a soundtrack comprised of songs from the CD.
“For those who have had their fill of raucous blues shuffles, the Vincent Hayes Project brings their own personal blend of blues; a culmination of Hayes’ eclectic tastes, expressively cranked out from fierce guitar licks. Combine that with a veteran bassist (David Alves, who Hayes describes as "indispensable") and a guru of groove on drums (Donny Hugley) and you’ve got an explosive blues experience waiting to be lit.” -Lansing City Pulse, 2006
“Man, I like what you guys do!” –Steve Miller
“If you don’t move in one way or three others, you gotta be dead! Amazing stuff!” –Storm Roger, WGVU-FM 88.5/95.3, Grand Rapids, MI
“Hayes not only plays with the big dogs, he keeps up!” -Ed Markowsky, WMBS
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