Welcome to our Tidal Wave Band Website .   Browse, comment and enjoy our new site.  New events and information will be added as it comes in, so come back often! 

A little bit about the band. The band started playing as Tidal Wave about 6 years ago and members have come and gone, however Bobby J has been with the band since its inception. The band has a strong lean towards classic country, but throw in some classic rock, polkas, line dance music and will try to learn whatever their followers want to hear. The band tries to feel out their audience and customize their music accordingly. 
 The band consists of Bobby J, the lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Fred Gravius, the lead guitarist, Darryl Lewandowski, the bass player and Debi Stout, the drummer. Debi is the newest addition to the band and you can read their individual biographies below. 
The band plays a lot of the lodges, Moose, Elks, Eagles, the VFWs, private parties and special benefit events, throughout Southwest Florida.

BOBBY J - VOCALS/RHYTHM GUITAR 

 

Bobby J was born and raised in the Adirondack Region of New York State. Bobby’s maternal grandparents were musically talented, his grandfather playing the fiddle and his grandmother the guitar. Hoping their grandson had similar musical talents, they gave Bobby J a guitar for his 14th birthday. 

Well, the story starts here. Bobby J took that guitar and dragged it around the country, teaching himself to play. He was a trucker for most of his life and had that guitar in the cab of his truck wherever life took him. 

He played in basements, garages and small local bars. After finding a soul mate on the other side of the border, he and his wife moved to Nokomis, Florida, going on 15 years now.  Now, Bobby J became more serious about his music. 

He played in “no name bands” for a number of years until the Tidal Wave Band was born about 5 years ago.  Bobby J has remained the lead singer and rhythm guitarist throughout, and country music has always been his true passion. Musicians that inspired him were Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, just to name a few. Country music is in his heart and soul!

DARRYL LEWANDOWSKI - BASS GUITAR 

 

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, my father, being a well accomplished musician himself, had one rule for us five kids.  Learn an instrument for a while and see if you like it, it may pay off someday. And boy, did it. Being quite  versatile in all forms of music, played with some pretty talented bands including wedding, polka, rock, blues, and the dye your hair black, techno wave outfits.

Retiring at an early age and finding my true paradise here in Siesta Key Florida, The Tidal Wave county band seemed like the best choice I could make. Good music, solid personality's, extra heavy booking schedule, and a brotherhood. Life is good!

DEBI STOUT - DRUMMER

 

Hi, this is Debi and I came to live in Florida by way of Cleveland, Ohio. I began playing drums in the 1970’s in the high school orchestra band, and later in the school’s marching and jazz bands. I stopped playing in the early 1980’s to raise my son and didn’t think I’d ever pick up a set of sticks again.  But almost 30 years later, I was asked if I could just keep a beat at my church’s ministry group.  And before I knew it, I began playing drums for the contemporary services with our church’s worship team in Port Charlotte, where I played for the next 11 years.  
 
My first “professional” drumming adventure was playing in a local 60’s band.  Though I had fun, I quickly discovered that my passion has and always will be, country music.  I was thrilled when I was asked to fill in with the Tidal Wave Band, and as they say, the rest is history.  I look forward to entertaining you all at our next gig!  I’ll be the GIRL DRUMMER in the back!!

 

 

 

FRED GRAVIUS - LEAD GUITAR

 

I grew up in Buffalo, New York and began playing the guitar from the age of 12. I enjoy playing all genres of music from Classic Rock to Christian but my roots have always been Country music. 

Retirement was calling, so I moved to Venice Florida with my wife in 2016. It was here that I began playing music with Bobby J and the Tidal Wave Band and enjoy playing the music that I love.