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Pulling out of Cincinnati, Ohio traveling Middle America in the back seat of his father's '51 Buick, Pepper was introduced to the Rhythm and Blues sounds of the early fifties. It was a time where the back beat was placed to make you snap your fingers an shake your hips. When the honesty of songs from Fat Domino to Wynonie Harris rules the air waves late at night. It was a time when sway, stomp and shuffle were important musical vernacular. It is that spirit that Pepper had led The Sensations from behind his drum set.
The group was founded with swing guitarist and Maine native, Frank Tutwiler. Frank currently lives in Los Angeles playing with The Hollywood Combo and now tours with the likes of Roy Gaines, Big Jay McNeely, and James Harmon. The Sensations have become a little bit like many contempory club bands, with players coming and going. Through it all, Pepper has swung hard, drumming up gigs and keeping talented musicians like Andy Oliver, Bob T, Mark Gunter, Rick Mclennan, Tommy O'Connell, Dave Zangri, Steve Bailey, and various itinerant subs busy in the New England club circuit.
The Sensations line up for The North Atlantic Blues Festival is fortunate to have Mike Hayward joining them on guitar and vocals. Hayward is a hard veteran of the blues scene, fronting his own band, The Red Light Revue out of Portland, Maine for over twenty years.
The Sensations also tour Maine and New England with their popular elementary school program called, "American Music, American Cities". This educational program highlights the geography and cities of America where Rhythm and Blues, Rock n' Roll, Jazz, and Blues began.
Check out the web sites for these alumni of The Sensations:
Bobt: www.bluesbass.com
Steve Bailey: www.stevebaileyband.com
Mike Hayward: www.redlightrevueband.com
Alfredo Grado: www.alfredogrado.com
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