Harmonica & Lead Vocals

BBryan is a Polk County native living on the shores of Crooked Lake in Babson Park. He has been with the band since the third week we got together.

Working with several top Blues/Rock groups, including touring with James Peterson, BB is a Blues veteran with the scars to prove it. Writing the lyrics and music for all but two of the tracks on our new CD, “Hook, Line & Sinker,” BB is a prolific songwriter and force of nature on stage. Longtime member of the Wild Shiner Krewe for the Lake Wales Mardi Gras, BB is well known in Polk County for his searing harp playing. His words to live by are, “don’t be silly, rock with Joe Willy!”

Drums & Lead Vocals

Brian began playing drums and guitar when he was 9, trumpet at 12 and congas when he was 22. Playing Jazz Band, Marching Band and Concert Band through High School, Symphony, Chamber Orchestras, Brass Quintets, Theatre Orchestras and Choirs through College and long after, Brian majored in Music at Eckerd College in St Petersburg, FL. Traveling for three years on the road with a Top 40 group after college and playing many other rock and blues bands, he brings nearly 50 years playing experience to Joe Willy. The only remaining founding member of the band, Brian has created all of their facebook and web graphics, logos and CD art.

Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals

Ansel Buhrman was the second lead guitar man for the group, joining us in the early days when we played frequently at Trader’s Pub in Lakeland. Also a Polk County native living on Crooked Lake in Babson Park, he is a third generation Citrus Farmer & male model for GQ. Well, that’s what he told us when we saw this picture of him. Ansel co-wrote the music for our CD, “Hook, Line & Sinker,” and played all the bass tracks and guitar tracks as well. He is a consummate guitar professional, equally skilled on acoustic and electric guitars and the electric bass. His expertise is unique and extensive and he provides musical director functions for the band.

Lead & Rhythm Guitar

“JD” Jones came to us when he answered an ad for auditions for a bass player for a special project group Joe Willy formed for a Cancer Benefit we played. Once we heard his guitar playing, we fired him at once on bass and added him as our second lead guitar for the Joe Willy Band. “JD” was a co-founder of the “Air Margaritaville” band in Detroit, Michigan, a large Jimmy Buffett tribute band that was extraordinarily successful playing large outdoor venues and concerts. His lead work and slide playing are truly unique and very powerful, and we are  thrilled to have him sharing leads and rhythm with Ansel.

Want to hear the true story of where we got the name, “Joe Willy, Neckbone & the Fishheads”? — just click here                          to find out. Really, we ain’t lying!

Bass Guitar  & Lead Vocals

Welcome our newest member, Alan Nickerson on bass and vocals. Alan picked up the clarinet at 10, the drums at 11, the guitar in High School, (let’s see, marching band or rock band, which would the girls like?) and in the late 70’s, bass. He has been laying it down on the bottom ever since. Growing up in “sweet home Chicago,” Alan honed his musical chops on pop, rock, blues, country and heavy metal. And he has a powerful singing voice that speaks of that experience on the road and in life. He is a phenomenal bass player that has significantly upped our sound and gives us a foundation of pure ROCK!