Bios of the Players
Ray Wilkerson -
Keyboards, vocals
A seasoned veteran musician with 40 years of live
performances, Ray is an “old school” keyboardist with
roots in the 60’s and early 70’s.
In his early professional days he played with The
Electras, a seven piece soul and horn-rock
band out of Emporia, Va. The Electras traveled the east coast
as back-up band for The Showmen and Percy
Sledge, and as opening act at colleges for
Sly & the
Family Stone, Janis Joplin, America and others.
He still relies on the fullness of the sounds
of the Hammond organ and various pianos that
were prominent in the rhythm and blues, soul and early rock and roll
days.
Ray’s
unique vocals were once described by
Jim Mason in an article in the Richmond
Times Dispatch:
“Brickhouse
is super fun for both band and dancers
the way Union Pacific covers it, and
Wilkerson’s earthy, raspy voice
is well suited for the lead on this
as well as on several other rhythm
and blues tunes”.
Ray met Dave Donahoe
and Gary Crane in the middle 70’s
while attending the University of
Richmond and became the original
keyboardist in Union
Pacific.
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After
a 12 year hiatus, Ray began playing
in various bands in Richmond
until fate intervened. The band
he was playing in needed a guitarist
and his “musical soul mate,”
Dave Donahoe, filled the spot.
Ray
and Dave have been playing together
since that fateful night, first
as the Satisfaction band
and then, as the
original members of UPB resurfaced
one by one, the Union
Pacific Band was reunited.
And
it feels so good.
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