BO CAPEBIANCO

Started my career as a singer and guitar player in Christian Music in Santa Cruz, CA in 1983. My first independent recording was in 1985 – “You Are The One”. I went on to do four other independent recordings…”Run Away” in 1988, “The Bo Capebianco Band” in 1989, “Bo Capebianco” in 1991 and a live concert in 1997. Played most dates all over the Bay Area and some in southern CA along with a few in other states. I got frustrated with the church and quit music in 1998. Moved to San Diego, CA. Over the next few years, I taught music in two elementary schools for 6 years, guitar lessons in my home, put together a junior high rock band and was a DJ for a few years. I haven’t been in a band in a while. Got a call and I am excited to be with The Rick Trotter Band!

Tony Nardi

Drums & Vocals,

Out of Chicago and on to San Diego…..performing in bands for many decades.

Rick Trotter

Guitars and Vocals

Native San Diego County Resident….performing and managing bands for many decades.

The Lone Star Band, The RDR Ryders, A 5th of Blues, The Christian Hastings and Hastings Band…. to name a few.

Paul Motter, Guitar, Vocals

Paul started playing guitar at age 9. He played for dances at his schools and some nightclubs. Paul next attended Los Angeles City College as a Music Major where he got an AA degree in music composition.

In 1975 Paul opened his first recording studio in downtown Hollywood. His clientele included artists from Motown, Geffen and other record labels. Paul spent 8 years as a professional recording engineer, recording over 25 albums. His last studio job in Hollywood was for Producer’s Workshop  – a studio where Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac recorded.

At age 30 Paul was hired by a top luxury cruise line as “stage manager” where he directed the onboard shows. In 1982 he opened a live music nightclub in Phoenix specializing in national acts. Working with an agent from New York he booked bands like The Smithereens, Timbuk 3, Jonathon Richman, MIA and J.J. Cale.

In 1990 Paul went back to cruise ships for two years, running live sound for Cabaret. When that contract ended he moved to New York City where he worked in specialty audio for “Sound by Singer.” 

Paul then started one of the first cruise travel information websites on the Internet – CruiseMates, in 1999. Working as a cruise journalist he spent the next 18 years writing for national news outlets.

In 2005 Paul got the music bug again and started playing in live bands. 

Today he is the newest member of the Rick Trotter Band on guitar, and happy to be here.

Joe Gillis, Bass Guitar

My first bass moment was listening to Motown through tiny car speakers—no true bottom, but it grabbed me. My goal: to make that sound, to drive the music.

I studied the Carol Kaye book and played along to records by Led Zeppelin, BB King, Cream, Sam & Dave—the usual suspects. In college.I was often seen pushing a borrowed Ampeg B-15 amplifier a half-mile across campus to play with other musicians.

Moving to San Diego, I joined The Real World, a trio along the lines of The Blasters and The Fabulous Thunderbirds.  When I insisted we perform self-penned songs, they fired me.

The next month, I founded a rock band called Trouble City, which performed primarily originals. During these heavy metal and grunge years, most singers sounded like Guns n’ Roses and Pearl Jam, so we didn’t fit into the scene. But we worked, performing throughout Southern California. It’s a real kick to have a following that sings along as you play your own tunes.

Trouble City focused on writing songs and in having the best musicians to present them. During the our time together, we opened for major acts such as Robin Trower, Mick Fleetwood and Los Lobotomys (featuring members of Toto).  The Sony Music record label took an interest in Trouble City, but that opportunity fizzled when the company fired the guy who liked us.

Since 2009, I have performed as a freelance musician and band member with various R&B, blues, and rock & roll groups.

“Nine years ago I had an idea….. Let’s Play that Music we all loved on the radio that moved us….

I got some top musicians together….

We started playing out..and did it ever take off!

The band is fun and upbeat …we have so much fun doing this…we have had a robust band schedule for quite a while now…I am greatful for the band mates that have become brothers and sisters….”

~ RICK TROTTER