505 Blues

505 is unique blend of musicians from many walks of life, brought together in 2007 to create a blues and funk combination sorely needed in the music industry. 505 steps up to the plate with a spicy twisted dance party of blues, rock, and funk.

Jacob Crawford, Lead Guitar and Vocals: Baltimore, MD. Jacob found the guitar at 13. Along with his brother Jeff on drums, they formed their first band, Thursday Night Special and were spurred on by friends Riddy Becker of The Grilled Lincolns, John Petr of Brass Uncle Band and Mike Blumberg of Revolutionary Side Effects. While in college, Jacob explored songwriting and recorded his first CD, Taster Menu. Now in Grad school and 505, Jacob is unleashing his unfettered guitar licks on hot, contemporary blues with no boundaries and no end in sight.

Donald Specker, Bass: Born in Queens, NY, Donald comes from a musical family and started his music career in public school, playing with his first band at age 14. In high school, Donald joined a band, later becoming the original "Nirvana,” with guitarist Steve Bargonetti, now a professional musician doing Broadway shows. He played throughout NYC and in Ithaca during grad school, Donald played with the funk and dance band Foots. His musical siblings include Alex Specker (guitar) and John Specker (fiddle). In 505 Donald is known as “Mr. Smooth.”

Dennis Montgomery, Keyboards: From Chicago, Dennis started playing in high school acts and immediately after graduation went on tour with The LeRoy Taylor Soul Explosion out of Washington, D.C., touring the east coast in the college circuit. In 1970 Dennis went to the Berkeley School of Music, then back on the road with an original rock group Jonas Por, (Guitarist later played with Alice Cooper, Joe Cocker, and Janice Ian) Dennis has shared the stage with ELF, Ronnie James Dio, Jam Factory (drummer played with McCartney and wings) and Lynn Anderson.

Don Fenton, Harmonica and vocals: Born in Ithaca, NY, “Rooster” as the band affectionately calls him, started playing harmonica (harp) at 17 and has now played for almost 40 years. Self taught, he fashions his playing style to harmonica greats, Sugar Blue, and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. He got serious after jamming Blue Mondays at the Nines in Ithaca and decided to start a blues band to fulfill a life long dream. Along with Russ Maracle in 2007, 505 Blues was born.

Russ Maracle, Drums and vocals: Russ grew up in Buffalo, NY and started banging on boxes and pails at 13. He played with 75RPM, Close But No Cigar, and The Voice throughout the 70’s and 80’s and joined Pete Panek & the Blues Cats in 1987. Russ is lucky enough to have shared the stage with blues giants, Buddy Guy, Lucky Peterson, Koko Taylor, Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Neil, Charlie Musslewhite, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Eddie Shaw & The