Artist Information Biography NOTEWORTHY CREDITS: Since April 2008, Tom Vella and the Wayside has been noticed by the media: •  Added to the 2009 Gotham Records Music Placemant clientele list •  Winners of the 2009 "G-Rock Rising All-Stars" Contest, collecting nearly 60% of all votes cast •  WDHA 105.5 (NJ) "Homegrown Spotlight" featured artist •  SONICBIDS "Band Spotlight" featured Artist 12/08 •  "2008 Independent Music World Series" semi-finalists •  G-Rock 106.3 (NJ) "G Rock Rising" featured artist •  Song featured on the "MAP Music Compilation CD" (Musicians Against Parkinsons)**(International) •  "2009 SHURE Microphones National Band Search" semi-finalists •  "Type3Media.com" Artist Spotlight    •  Featured by The New York Post, The Aquarian, Three Monkeys Online and multiple local news publications (**Please visit our "Press" section to find out more!**) Since its inception, the band has been fortunate to grace the stage with many national acts such as: •  Tim Reynolds •  Richie Havens •  Everclear •  Bob Marley's Legendary Wailers •  The Verve Pipe •  Rusted Root •  The Alternate Routes •  Jeffrey Gaines •  Cracker •  The Lost Trailers •  Amfibian •  Black Sheep (...we are not kidding) •  The Low Life •  Jenny Owen Youngs •  Captain Geech and the Shrimpshack Shooters •  The Smithereens •  Socratic •  Val Emmich •  Kaki King •  John Rzeznik (of the Goo Goo Dolls) •  Willie Nile On stages such as (just to name a few): •  The Bitter End (NYC) •  The Lion's Den/Sullivan Hall (NYC) •  Kenny's Castaways (NYC) •  Sin-E (NYC) •  CBGB's 313 Gallery (NYC) •  Mexicali Blues (NJ) •  The Stone Pony (NJ) •  Maxwell's (NJ) •  The Crossroads (NJ) •  The Whiskey Bar (NJ) And festivals including: •  Union County MusicFest '08 (NJ) •  Seaside Music Festival 2008, 2009 (NJ) •  The Black River Music and Arts Festival '08 (NJ) •  M.E.A.N.Y. Fest 2008 (NYC) The band supports and performs for several benefits and/or charity events: •  "Light Of Day" 2008, 2009 Concert Series (Parkinsons) (NJ) •  2008, 2009 Parkinson's Unity Walk (NYC) •  Breast Cancer Awareness (NJ) •  Soldiers Across The Pond (NJ) •  Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Jersey (NJ) •  Noah's Arc Animal Welfare Society (NJ) ----------------------------------------- BIOGRAPHY: In an industry where being a successful original band has almost become as realistic as the Easter Bunny and being "tax free,” Tom Vella and the Wayside is bringing a fresh new sound to the collective.  Originally formed by singer-songwriter Tom Vella as the Buster Cox band in 2005, the group has seen its share of personnel changes over the past few years. Regardless, the band has relentlessly remained an undeniable force in the New York/New Jersey independent music scene. Under its new moniker, the band has grown by leaps and bounds towards a larger, more diverse audience.  While the sound is most readily classified as acoustic rock, the newest TVW offerings include the flavors of funk, soul, folk, jazz, and the jam band scene.   In their most recent push towards the top, the band consists of Tom Vella, the principle writer of the TVW catalog, on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Rick Krueger on lead guitar, lap steel, Weissenborn, and background vocals, Steve Milone on drums, Erik Brescher on bass guitar, and Billy Carrion, Jr. on baritone saxophone, flute, and percussion.   Even though the band has its roots planted in the soil of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, TVW has performed as far south as Charlotte, NC and as far north as Boston, MA.  For 2008, Tom Vella and the Wayside is preparing to make their move on the industry.  "Halos & Pitchforks", 2008's anxiously awaited follow-up to the 2005 Buster Cox Band EP, and first full-length offering, is built on songs that TVW fans, affectionately known as the "Campers" of "Camp Wayside," have been singing along to for the past couple of years.  Newly written songs accompany the fan favorites on the album, as well as at every live performance. Whether played live or recorded, each and every song speaks of real life in the most honest way possible.    Since the album was released in April of 2008 the band has garnered critical acclaim.  They have had numerous publications, industry representatives and multimedia houses singing their praises (for direct quotes please visit the "PRESS" section listed above).  But in all seriousness, this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Keep your eye on Tom Vella and the Wayside; they're ready for bigger things, and will do whatever it takes to make them happen. Instrumentation Tom Vella - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar Rick Krueger - Lead Guitar, Vocals Steve "The Dream" Milone - Drums, Percussion Erik Brescher - Bass Billy Carrion Jr. - Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Percussion ****PLEASE NOTE: We are also rehearsed and ready to do acoustic versions for our set, and will do so at the venue's request**** Discography Halos & Pitchforks (2008)* Buster Cox Band EP (2005) *This is the only recording featuring the current lineup. Links http://www.thewaysideband.com Tom Vella and the Wayside Official Website Tom Vella and the Wayside on MySpace