BILL FEAHENY - Founder, Songwriter, Bass Guitar...
...is not only responsible for the band’s melodic backbeat but is also the creative force behind many of the original songs which define Juniper Row’s unique lyrical and musical perspective. Bill, a true New Orleans native whose first memories were of his early childhood in the French Quarter, began his formal musical training as a trumpeter. However, a couple of high school friends convinced him to trade his brass mouthpiece for a 1973 Fender Precision and the freedom of Rock ‘n’ Roll. While attending Louisiana State University, Bill sold his prized bass to help finance a car and temporarily shelved his musical aspirations. Shortly after completing graduate school and upon his return to New Orleans in 1991, Bill was approached by a former high school buddy who wanted to get together and “just jam”. Unbeknownst to him, this chance meeting would provide the impetus for Bill to embark on his true musical odyssey. Bill’s prior musical projects have included local bands "Trigger Happy" and "Spirit Dog". With a dual career as both a musician and full-time environmental professional, Bill is not only creatively contributing to repairing the damaged psyche of the city but is also providing his professional indoor air quality services to rebuilding Post-Katrina New Orleans.
STEVE NORTON - Songwriter, Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Originally from Northern New Jersey, Steve moved to New Orleans in 1974 to work for Shell Oil after receiving a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He played in bands in Northern NJ and NYC all through high school and part of college until he realized that he wasn’t going to make it out of college if he didn’t stop gigging every weekend. Biggest claim to fame was playing at the Cheetah in NYC in 1969 with his band “The Young Republic”. The bass player in that band was Vincent Curatola who played gangster Johnny Sack on “The Sopranos”. That band also included drummer Gerry Davis, who played with the “LA Boppers” and other Southern California bands and Rory Solga who went on to play in the NYC area in the “Basic Black Band” with drummer Frank Marrara and guitarist Richie Orlando. Steve also played with Larry and Alfonse Mizell who wrote for “The Jackson Five” at Motown and went on to produce some fine records at United Artists/Blue Note. He also got to work for Larry Rosen of GRP fame in his original music store, The Drum Workshop in Englewood NJ.
Work prohibited actively participating in the New Orleans music scene until taking early retirement from Shell. Steve joined Juniper Row in January of 2004 and is enjoying a second career in music.
KELLIE RISH - Lead Vocals
Originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, Kellie began singing at a very early age and was actively involved in choirs and musicals in grade school and high school. She attended Millsaps College on a voice scholarship where she sang with the Millsaps Singers and performed with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. Graduating with degrees in English and Political Science, Kellie went on to LSU Law School. She joined the Orleans Parish DAs Office and worked her way up to an appointment as a Special Prosecutor in the Homicide Division. In 2006, Kellie joined Deutsch, Kerrigan & Stiles and became an associate in the Environmental Law Department. Juniper Row is her first venture into Rock and Roll performance.