Betty's Not A Vitamin

For several years in the mid to late 1990s, There was a band that had a tremendous buzz brewing here in central Florida as well as perking up the ears of several national record labels, that band was Betty's Not A Vitamin.

Armed with a demo of 18 original songs arranged and produced by guitarist Todd Staudinger, Betty's Not A Vitamin quickly found themselves thrust into the showcase spotlight performing for Capital A&R reps on St. Patricks Day, 1995. Outlaws/Blackhawk manager Rick Alter also showed interest in helping the band during this period. After an A&R shakeup at Capital, BNAV moved on and was invited to perform for recording label executives at the 1995 Southeast Music Conference. While a deal was never finalized, the band tore into a heavy touring schedule to support the demo and to garner more label interest. During this period BNAV shared the stage with the likes of Tabatha's Secret (later to become Matchbox 20), Sister Hazel, and CMT favorites The Warren Brothers.

Led by lead vocalist Chris Tocco, BNAV found itself touring central, west and south Florida, as well as managing a heavy calendar of dates in it’s home territory of Tampa Bay. Managed by Jane McKee of Jane’s World Talent, 1997 saw BNAV play over 230 dates. This aggressive touring schedule garnered the band a healthy loyal following that found clubs packed from Orlando’s entertainment complex Church Street Station, to Miamis famed south beach venue Tobacco Road. The band played openers for major acts, including Blue Oyster Cult on the 98 Rock Guavuween Stage in Ybor City.

After failed negotiations with A/R guru's John Tovar (The Mavericks / Marilyn Manson) and Scott Robinson (Matchbox 20), the band signed to a Florida based indie label. Despite being hopeful about this deal, the grueling performance schedule finally took its toll. The band played it's last gig on November 30th 1997 at the Green Iguana on Westshore Blvd. in South Tampa, leaving a huge void in the central Florida music scene.

Fast forward to 2005. Betty's Not A Vitamin is back and ready to show the masses what they have been missing. Drawing from influences that range from The Beatles and Stones, Social Distortion, Hank Williams to today’s artists and everything in between. BNAV is a live force to be reckoned with. In addition to being a cover band BNAV also maintains a wealth of original material that has always been crowd favorites thru the years.

Filling out the line-up is former BNAV drummer/vocalist Rick Boucher and the new kid on the block on bass is Steve “Barkin Barney” Barnes. The uniqueness of BNAV is that they are as adept at performing as a blistering electric band as well as an unplugged acoustic group. This diversity allows the band to entertain thousands at various bay area festivals, while still being an intimate entity in a smaller venue. Its almost like having two bands in one.

There is something magical in the air when these guys take the stage. Come see what the buzz is about and for those that remember the glory days, come on back and see us again.