Tags: Bribie Island Entertainers. Musicians. Singers. Songwriters
When Angela and Wayne Carter made the decision almost a decade ago to advertise for a few musicians to join them for the occasional jam session, they attracted the attention of Ernie Montgomery and then Bob Edwards not long after, resulting in a combination of talent and experience that led to the formation of local band The Day Dreamers.
Featured Image(above): Always well received – local band BITS N PIECES
Keyboard player Ernie Montgomery told me that, after a few jam sessions, Angela, as the lead singer, encouraged them to take it to the next level and look for opportunities to perform at market venues and private functions. As we all are very aware, situations change, and the band name Day Dreamers has now been replaced with Bits N Pieces and what was four has now become five with the addition of bass guitar player, Eric Banham just over three years ago.
Eric brings to the band a wealth of experience in the music industry, having played in rock and cabaret bands prior to moving to our area from Tasmania. ‘My introduction to music was when, at the age of seven, I learned the piano accordion and played on the local radio station in Launceston along with my twin brother,’ said Eric. ‘When I was twelve, my father started to learn the guitar and, because that was way cooler than a piano accordion, I went down the same track,’ he explained.
Angela and Wayne Carter have a long history in music and are well known locally, having had a music shop at Banksia Beach, Angela is the band’s lead singer and Wayne plays rhythm guitar and is also the second lead singer. Bob Edwards is the lead guitarist and also contributes with back up vocals and brings many years of experience to the outfit, having played at many Sydney venues before relocating to the Sunshine State.
Sixteen tracks of easy listening
Ernie Montgomery is what can best be described as a super talented keyboard player and he remarked that even when he was a child, he used to take every opportunity to play the piano. Although when he first joined with Angela and Wayne, he played the guitar, it did not take very long for all to realise where his real talent was. Bits N Pieces has an extremely versatile repertoire which includes music from the 50’s 60’s and 70’s and Ernie pointed out that they have music to entertain people of all ages.
‘Everyone from seniors to teenagers,’ he said. Following many requests from those who enjoy their music, the four men of the band have produced a CD of instrumental music which is entitled, “Instrumental Holiday.” The Album features sixteen tracks of tunes by well-known artists such as the Shadows and Bert Kaempfert and provides just under one hour of easy listening.
They also have a few numbers on YouTube and I’m told that Angela has recorded a couple of CDs as a solo artist. This group of local entertainers is always well received wherever they are playing and, as it so happens, they will be entertaining at the October Vibe Markets on the last Sunday of the month at the Bribie Island Arts Centre. They are available to perform at both public venues and private functions so, if anyone would like to enquire about having them play at an event, Eric can be contacted on 0419 557 804.