The County J Boys

The County J Boys have been singing and playing since the early 90's. Michael, Ray and Tom at one time all lived on the same County Highway J, and thus the name. We have now "filled out the sound" with the addition of Rich on percussion in '08, and E.C. on the bass in '09. The County J Boys play covers emphasizing tasty vocal harmonies and fun. On any given night, you are likely to hear selections from The Band, Jackson Browne,Dave Mason, The Grateful Dead, Tom Petty, Bob Marley, Eagles, CSNY, and the Beatles to name a few.

RAY KINNEY- VOCALS, KEYBOARD, GUITAR-The son of a southern minister, my musical life began in the church pew where all songs were sung in four part harmonies without any instrumental accompaniment. I started piano at the age of 5 and was progressing rapidly with my classical training until the mid 1960s when the folk music movement was in full force. I learned to finger pick listening to LPs of Merle Travis and other "finger-pickers" and worked my way into performing at coffee houses as a high school student. The harmonies of Peter, Paul, and Mary, Kingston Trio, The Letterman, etc. was something that was familiar, like sitting in the church pew. The J Boys are about harmonies and musically, I am back home. (My 40 year old Martin D-28 that I bought new has been along on this ride and is sounding sweeter than ever!).

EC GOGGIO- VOCALS, BASS, TROMBONE- I am blessed to come from a musical family. My great Grandfather was John Philip Sousa’s lifelong arranger. I have played trombone for 45 years, minored in Music and Electronic Music Composition at UW-Madison in 1974-77 in an elite program under PhD Dan Harris, (protégé of Robert Moog), where I met with John Cage. I then picked up an $18 bass guitar on a ride board at school. 30 Summerfest appearances later, I’m starting to figure out how to play it. Playing with the County J Boys has been an enlightening and wonderful stretching experience for me.

MICHAEL IMES- VOCALS, HARMONICA, GUITAR-Growing up, near the Schuylkill River delta, I learned to love singing while riding in the car with my aunt, brother and sister, and cousins - "We sang every song that driver knew." I picked up a guitar in college and learned the harmonica during long hitchhiking trips. When I first sang with Tom and Ray, it felt like our voices were meant to be together. Over 15 years later we’re still finding new songs that challenge and excite us and we love having EC and Rich, who bring new depth and dimension to everything we do.

RICH LABINSKI- VOCALS, DRUMS-I started playing drums with Lincoln Log sticks on furniture, lessons in grade school and playing with my brother on his accordion.,, High School bands, Drum and Bugle corps for eight years, Polka bands, Jazz trio at Marquette Univ. (the bass player was Pete Bonerz, the dentist on the Bob Newhart show), 21 piece big band, The Satans of Swing!!!, Dixieland with the Six Friars and a Monk, Broadway shows in the pit, and now with the fantastic “CNTY J BOYS"!

TOM REINERS-VOCALS, GUITAR- After years of playing the trumpet, I picked up the electric guitar in 8th grade (late 60’s). I used to hook it up through the family’s Hi-Fi in the living room and there I taught myself a whole new world. While at Colorado College I played lead and rhythm guitar in a Grateful Dead “cover band” where I discovered I really enjoyed vocals and vocal harmonies, as well as composing. I have done rhythm, lead and vocals in 5 classic rock bands and for the last 15 years have enjoyed singing and playing with the J Boys.