THE MID-YORK WEEKLY & PENNYSAVER-OPEN MIC
By Mike Jaquays
APRIL 4,2002
CAROLINE BLUE is something a little different on the CNY Music Scene. You never know who will be up there playing with leader Wayne W. Johnson. Current members are Roy St. James, Dave Victory and Wayne.
When Wayne W. Johnson left his gig as bassist with Four Large Men, he decided to try a project that was totally different.
He went back to guitar, started singing lead vocals and formed Syracuse area rockers CAROLINE BLUE with a revolving lineup of musicians he called “hired guns.”
“This is really unique because the only permanent member of the band is me.” Wayne explained. But, although Wayne said his is always the final decision, he welcomes input from the musicians he works with.
“I’m in the producers seat, but anyone involved can feel free to say whatever they want to.” Wayne said. “They’re helping me out and I appreciate that.”
The band lineup since this past August has featured Roy St. James on bass and vocals, and Dave Victory on drums. They specialize in what Wayne called “classic hard rock,” currently playing tunes from the 70s, 80s and some 90s from bands like KISS, Aerosmith and Motley Crue.
Wayne said that the band is gearing itself up towards playing all original material. Currently they have filled half their set lists with their own songs, as they build a fan following. He hopes by the end of the year to drop the cover material all together, he intimated.
With that kind of abundance or originals, you can expect a CD collection from CAROLINE BLUE coming soon; the band is heading into the studio even as you read this to work on their first CD, with another planned to follow by the end of the year. Its an ambitious plan, and one Wayne said he enjoys the challenge to accomplish.
“It was time to stop fooling around, so I threw myself into this.” Wayne explained. “I’m not getting any younger and I didn’t want to someday be in my 60’s and wonder what could have been. I’ve got my work cut out for me with this project, but I’ve never been as enthusiastic or charged up as I am now. I’m going to take this as far as I can.”
For more info, and a hilarious piece of entertainment in itself, check out their official website at http://carolineblue.com/ Tell em Open Mike sent you!
To get your own entertainment news in the Open Mike spotlight, drop a line to 104 W. Hamilton Ave., Sherill, NY 13461; email to tcweekly@dreamscape.com or call 315-366-0564
CAROLINE BLUE 