At a very young age, Charles wanted to play an instrument, he just didn’t know which one, so he came home and asked his mother if he could play the trumpet. Charles’s mother’s response was; “I’m not going to listen to you blow in a horn all day.” Charles then decided he would attempt the drums, being that it was just a pad and sticks his mom said yes, she probably thought it wouldn’t last, but 48 years later he is still playing. Charles has played in the Connecticut club scene since 1980 with many great bands, way too many to mention but he thinks Country Steel can be his best yet. Influenced by many great musicians and bands such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, etc etc, he has found that country music is a very cool genre of music that can be enjoyed by many!! Charles grew up in Seymour CT and now resides in Waterbury CT.

Bobbi Jo

Lead vocals

Bobbi Jo is making her band debut with Country Steel, she has performed on The Warner Theatre stage on numerous occasions including The Northwest Idol competition. Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, and Carrie Underwood are just a few of Bobbi Jo’s influences that have helped shape her country vocalist style. Bobbi Jo enjoys spending time in the studio where she was able to be included in a few original music collaborations. Her goal is to make her dreams and aspirations become a reality by highlighting Country Steel to be the best country music band in New England.

Gina Beligni

Gina Beligni has been singing since the moment she could speak. She’s participated in local signing competitions at the Goshen Fair, the Durham Fair and Torrington’s own Northwest Idol competition. Gina was raised in a musical family and grew up on and eclectic blend of Big Band Swing, rock and the music of Joan Baez, Simon and Garfunkle and The Mommas and the Papas. Her first memory of learning harmony was to California Dreamin’ and Blowin’ in the Wind. Gina’s passion for music runs deep and she believes there’s nothing better than singing a song from her soul, connecting with an audience and feeling their energy coming back at you.

Steve Grinold

Guitar

Steve’s earliest inspiration came from his country guitar strumming uncle who played sing-along tunes at family gatherings, and his mother who loved to listen to pop music on the radio. Watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in ’64 was a seminal experience, like so many of his generation, and started him on the path to singing and playing guitar. Pop and rock ‘n roll were the initial interests, followed by the blues, jazz and anything that sounded good!

As he grew older, his musical influences expanded to include Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, the Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin and many others. Since his high school years, Steve has been passionate about learning all that he could about music in general and guitar playing in particular. His explorations led him to many other major influences such as Scott Henderson, Derek Trucks and Miles Davis.

In his early career, Steve played in club bands and a guitar duo in the Hartford area, before joining Pulse, one of the busiest bands in the area playing private functions, corporate affairs, holiday parties and the like. During his 15 years with Pulse he truly learned the value of playing almost any style of music, from jazz to R & B, ethnic music to rock, big band swing to country.

For the past five years Steve has played in northeast CT’s classic rock band Off The TraXx. All of these prior experiences have brought him to Country Steel and he is very excited to play for the country crowd!

Kevin Read

Bass, Vocals

Kevin is a 1976 graduate of Hartt College of Music and has been a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist in successful acoustic rock, rock ‘n’ roll, and pop/rock bands over the past several years. He has also played electric and upright bass for the Bristol Chorale, Bristol Brass and Wind Ensemble, and in pit orchestras for local theater productions, award events, and variety shows. More recently, he has chosen to throw in with the country music crowd and have some real fun!!