Brother 2 Brother
Our New CD, Texas Blues Rocks. is dedicated to the memory of our former bass player, Mike "Lowboy"Leubner, who passed away before the CD was finished.
We have some great new originals written by JC, Sandy and Norm, as well as Norm's arrangement of “Summertime” and Lowboy’s arrangement of “Cool Guitars.” Many B2B fans requested that we put these songs on the next CD and we listened!
In late 2006, the first B2B CD titled "Lookin' for Texas" was placed on the official ballot for the 2007 Grammy Awards, in two catagories. The song "Power to Drive the Blues Away" was placed in the Rock Category 16 - Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (duo, group or collaborative performances with vocals -Singles or Tracks only). The actual CD placed in the Blues Category 66 - Best Contemporary Blues Album (Vocal or Instrumental). We're ready to do it again. Check out the News page for full story.
In that same year, B2B placed 7th out of over 100,000 bands from around the world in the Ultimate Band List contest!! Read more about this, too, on our News page!!
Brother2Brother follows in the footsteps of great Texas Bluesmen such as T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and great Blueswomen such as Bonnie Raitt, Lou Ann Barton and Etta James. In addition to their faithful Rock, Blues and R&B covers, the all original CD, "Lookin' for Texas" is a part of the evolution of Texas Blues, incorporating a wide variety of influences from the world of Rock, Country, Jazz, and Blues. The CD received quite a bit of airplay in their home base of Houston, Texas on KPFT 90.1 FM. The Brothers in music were the cover story in the September issue of "North of the Border" entertainment guide, that year. "Lookin' for Texas" also received glowing reviews in "Music News" and "The Scene", two more Houston area mags. B2B can be heard on Blues Programs in Canada, Argentina, Belgium, and around the world!! They have also received airplay on KEOS 89.1 FM College Station, TX, Midnight Blues-Online Blues Radio, NewOrleansRadio.com, and many others. Check out the LINKS page for more!
Two of the founding members, bass player Mike “Lowboy” Leubner and keyboardist Norm Uhl, formed B2B in 2002 after honing their chops backing up Texas recording artist Gene Kelton of Mean Gene Kelton and the Diehards. Well known Blues Vocalist Sandy Hickey and guitarist extraordinaire Jon Cometta joined the band in late 2007. Rock steady drummer Dan Jones made up the rest of the musical team. In the fall of 2009, Lowboy decided to leave the band and pursue another opportunity. Ernie Diaz joined the band to play bass and added a whole new dimension to the ever evolving sound of B2B.
Sandy Hickey - Lead Vocal
Meet the sister of Brother 2 Brother. Sister Sandy Hickey. Sandy has been rocking the Houston music scene since 1985 and has earned her reputation as one of Houston's most respected blues divas. Bluesy, gutsy and sultry, her vocals are the epitome of a Texas Blues singer. She can turn her voice on a dime from growling blues to sweet nuanced tones and can wrap an audience around her little finger.
In the early 90’s, Sandy was co-owner of Mickey’s Mardi Gras on Washington Avenue in Houston. Later, in 1997, Sandy opened Silky’s Blues Bar in that same location and featured some of the most prominent blues people in the area.
Then, in 2000, Sandy released her own CD with the Soul Providers called "Ice Cream, Cigarettes, and a Good Glass of Wine."
She received great reviews and in that same year she was nominated "Best Female Vocalist" in the Houston Press Music Awards!
Not to mention she has also worked very hard to improve Houston's Live Music Scene in various ways including serving four terms as President of the Houston Blues Society!
Norm Uhl - Keys, Harmonica, & Vocals
He used to do the News. Now he does the Blues. Norm Uhl was a fixture in the local television news serving as an on-air reporter for nearly 15 years on Houston's CBS affiliate. He reported live on such major stories as the Waco Siege and the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Over his career, he has filed stories for NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN. The award winning journalist is perhaps better known for his humorous features, especially "Norm at Work", where he featured the working men and women of Texas, often giving their jobs a try.
While in the hectic news business, Norm had to put his music on the back burner. But once he left the news business, blues was one of his first endeavors. Norm played keyboards and harmonica with "Mean Gene Kelton and the Die Hards" for two years, which is where he met Bass Player Mike "Lowboy" Leubner.
Dan Jones - Drums
Drummer Dan Jones was born and raised in Chicago, a city known for it's wind and it's blues. Both would play important roles in Dan's life. As an airline pilot he rides the wind. As B2B's drummer he plays the blues and classic rock. Dan started playing drums in high school. He has played in many bands over the years and has played many styles. He counts among his influences jazz drummers Billy Cobham, Joe Morello and Steve Gadd. Another favorite is David Garibaldi from Tower of Power. Dan says, " I couldn't carry these drummers sticks to their gigs, but I enjoy listening to them and wonder how did he do that?"
How about that! All that talent and he's modest to boot. Don't let him fool you. This guy's a monster on drums. He rocks the blues with jazz finesse and puts a little funk into the equation for good measure. Dan's wide range of influences from rock to jazz to funk to blues adds a new dimension to the B2B sound!
Jon Cometta - Lead Guitar
Jon, or "JC" as he's better known, hails from Tucson, Arizona. He played locally with one of the hottest blues bands in the city when he caught the eye of Lil Brian
from the Zydeco Travelers. Brian liked his playing so much that he offered "JC" a touring gig that lasted for 6 years. JC liked Houston so much, he decided to stay after he left the band in 2004. He played with Sandy Hickey and the Soul Providers when he wasn't touring and stayed on fulltime when he left Lil Brian to start his own company. He has also played with other great Houston artists such as Tommy Dardar, Jabo, Kid Reese and RaRa Carter. JC possesses a skill beyond his years and is a natural for the blues!
Ernie Diaz - Bass & Vocals
Ernie Diaz is the newest member of B2B. His style of his bass playing brings a whole new dimension to the sound of the band. Ernie is an experienced pro who plays many different styles of music from Rock to R&B and Jazz to Blues. Ernie and drummer Dan Jones have played in many bands together over the years and it shows. Dan and Ernie are in lock step and are the strong foundation on which the band's music is built.