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In February of 2010, four life-long friends got together to jam once a week and share their love of “BLUES” music. Thus, the band Midnight was born. With over 130 years of combined musical experience the transition to writing and performing their original material was a comfortable and natural fit. Within months, Sherry was asked to join the band as a backup vocalist. Five creative and dedicated blues musicians have taken the “once in a lifetime” opportunity to create the unique sound of Midnight.
Steve Herman: Lead Vocals and harmonica
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Steve started playing the harmonica when he was 17. His musical influences include Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Jimmy Reed, Junior Wells, Howlin' Wolf and James Cotton to name a few. Beginning in 1975, Steve played the 'bar scene' - boogies and outdoor venues (pig roasts) with various local bands until 1992 when he decided to take a break from music due to family and work commitments. Now retired, he considers himself fortunate to be back playing the music he loves with life long friends.
Russ Nicholetts: Guitar
Russ Nicholetts is Thunder Bay’s ultimate side man. A multi instrumentalist, he started playing piano at 7, guitar at 11 and bass at 18. Russ joined his first band, Kicks in 1980. His clean, straight ahead fret work has been heard in bands like Diamonds in the Rough and Sue Watson. He has played bass guitar for Rough Mix, the Blue Pretenders and Diamonds in the Rough. Russ is a member of the hard working and talented technical team at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and the Thunder Bay Blues Festival that keeps the show running like a Rolex.
Sherry Aalto: Backup Vocals
A vocalist who takes her cue from “the timeless magic of chosen melodies,” rather than any specific genre of music, Sherry Aalto credits Timi Yuro, Bette Midler, Bobby Darin, Joe Cocker and a host of other blues singers for her life-long love of voice. Having performed on many stages in select venues, Sherry always finds joy in sharing her passion for music with audiences near and far.
Steve Buset: Drums and backup vocals
Encouraged by his parents, Steve was “into” guitar at an early age. While the concept of studying and practicing music was a natural fit, the guitar wasn’t. So, at 16, Steve traded one pick for two sticks and stepped behind a drum kit. A veteran of many bands and genres of music, Steve has been entertaining crowds in numerous nightclubs from the early 1970s. He is proud to place world-renowned drummers like Willie Hayes, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Jim Keltner and Richie Hayward on the short list of rhythmic motivators that still drive him to this day.
Lyndy Norhaugen: Bass and keyboards
Lyndy has been playing bass and keyboards in local bands for more than 40 years. His father taught violin, his mother the piano. Pop influences like Billy Joel, Elton John and Leon Russell tilted Lyndy to the 88s. Early in his career, he played in an 8-piece Blood, Sweat & Tears/Chicago cover band called Pillar. He toured Canada and performed on a cruise ship with the pop-oriented Lovin’ Sound before switching to a more blues-based style in Stoneridge with Wayne Faulconer. More recently, Lyndy appeared at the 2005 Thunder Bay Blues Festival with the Rocker Brothers and with Tommy Horricks & the Milestones.
Submitted Profile
