The Sugar Creek Band

You know, I have said that two other bands were my favorite, but when I have to admit that it was really this one.  This is the only band that I could really say didn't have all the political problems that so many others have had.  Egos were at a bare minimum, and nobody had to be in full control to be happy.  Everybody had a license, a job, and the absence of an attitude.  I'm happy to say I'm still friends with them all as well, and a going to be attending the wedding of the rhythm guitar player very soon.

The band consisted of Mark McGeorge (lead guitar and vocals), Carroll Price (bass guitar and vocals), Tom Gaffney (rhythm guitar and vocals), and me on the drums.  Leonard "Doc" Burrows ran sound, and Kent "Slick" McAllister was our main roadie.  Mark and Carroll previously had a band call the Three Horsemen, and Tom and I just kind of came in and shook things up a bit.  

There were always plenty of band family on had to help carry equipment, and they were always glad to do it.  It was a very unusual situation.  They usually helped at the END of the night too.  We also had a following of groupies, and got lucky quite often, and found ourselves in some interesting situations.  Ask and we MIGHT tell you some of the stories...

The Sugar Creek Band was very popular in the LaSalle County area and played many clubs and grand openings.  We also hosted a monthly jam session at a bar in Sheridan, Illinois called "This is It".  Many bands came down from the Chicago area to attend and it was always a HUGE success.  One night the power went out while we were playing at the jam session.  Brian Herman was sitting in on the drums and had also set up his kit in front of the stage.  It just happened that we were both playing at the time, and when the power went out, we continued playing.  We played a twenty minute drum solo while people held up their "Bic" lighters.  It was a total madhouse.  Anyway, we had a great time.

I remember one night I forgot to bring sticks to the gig.  Not to be foiled- Carroll went out, bent down a branch on a tree, and cut me of some sticks.  They worked quite well, and I had them for a long time as mementos, until they eventually got lost.

Anyway, this band was great fun for almost three years, when I left the band to move back to the Champaign,- Urbana area.  I hated to go, but Brian Herman stepped up to take my place in the band and they went on for a year or two after that.

This last summer, 2006, we had a reunion at Wedron, Illinois at Opies bar and Grill.  Everybody showed.  I was suprised who was there.  The band did pretty well, all in all.  The only thing that disappointed me was that we did not do any of the staples that made up the Sugar Creek Band.  We ended up doing standard rock songs.  Ugh.  And, there was another guitarist on the stage that nobody could get rid of.  I don't think he hurt us any, but it was a Sugar Creek Reunion...  I did have a great time though.  Brians band totally kicked butt.  I never did hear them before, but you could tell that he wanted me to hear it.  Now I know why. ;)  Brian"s a great drummer, why should I be surprised??

Here are some Pictures that were taken of the band shortly after my leaving.  The pictures are dated July 1982.

Break Song - Intro
Elvira - The Oak Ridge Boys
Feels So Right - Alabama
Good Hearted Woman - Waylon and Willie
I've Always Been Crazy - Waylon
Johnny B Goode/School Daze - Chuck Berry
Louisiana Saturday Night - Don Williams
Older Women - Roddy McDowell
Ramblin' Man - Waylon
Peaceful Easy Feeling - Eagles
Rocky Top- Boudleax and Felice Bryant
Stand By Me - Mickie Gillie
Whole Lot of Shakin' - Jerry Lee Lewis
Back in our Shorts
Blue Eyes Cryin in the rain- Willie Nelson
Buck's Polka - Buck Owens
Cocaine - Eric Clapton
Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys
Feels So Right - Alabama
Freebird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Her Strut - Bob Seger
Long Haired Country Boy - CDB
Looking for a Feeling - Waylon Jennings
Call me By My Name - David Allen Coe
Really Got Me/Runnin' With the Devil - Van Halen
Rocky Mountain Way - Break Song - Joe Walsh
Saw Her Standing There - Beatles
Takin' Care of  Business - Drum Solo - BTO
Tulsa Time - Don Williams
Whole Lot O Shakin' - Jerry Lee Lewis
Wooley Swamp - CDB