Top-40 / dance band from the Arbutus area formed in 1974. The original line-up featured Dean Smith (vocals), Gary Shoop (guitar), Mark Towles (guitar), Tom Shoop (bass), Bill Johnson (keyboards), and Rick Witmeire (drums). Rick left the group in 1976 and Gary began playing drums.
The group played the Beltway Motel, Headquarters Lounge (Millersville), Club Brandy, Four Winds (Ft. Meade), Antonio’s on the Bay (Pasadena), Patapsco Inn/Loafers… They also played many social clubs, weddings, private affairs and bull roasts at places such as Martin’s West and the Ocean City Convention Center. Wind began playing functions for the Colt’s Corral in the ‘70s and continued to play for the organization as it became known as the Ravens Roost.
A 1980 line-up featured Gary Shoop (drums), Wendy Shoop-Boulier (vocals), Ken Polcak (bass ex-Gypsy), Mark Brooney (guitar), and Ed Kernan (keyboards ex-Towson State Jazz Ensemble).
Additional members through the years included Joe Marciniak (keys), Gail Vogel (keys), Sharif (keys), Scott Bull (sax)…
With a history of over 25 years, longtime member Gary and his group continued to play in the ‘00s. Ed went on to join Steppin’ Out, Crowded Stage, and could be seen in the ‘00s performing jazz on Sundays at the North Star in Reisterstown. Polcak later with Wild Rice, Captain Quint, Classroom Dragons… Towles later with Equinox…
