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Brook Shive and the 45s: A father-daughter musical story Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Brook Shive and the 45s: A father-daughter musical story

Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2011

By Mary Cantell
Correspondent

“I’ve always dreamed of putting a band together and sharing the experience of writing, recording and touring with my daughter by my side,” said professional musician Steve Shive, who produces, manages and is the drummer for Brooke Shive and the 45s — an up-and-coming band making its mark in American roots-rock with bluesy soul-inspired rhythms.

Now on the road performing for just about two years, headlining their own shows as well as backing others, the father-daughter musical team is a dream-come-true. They perform their own spunky home-grown material as well as some of their favorites, which include Lennon/McCartney, Jagger/Richards as well as Bobby Womack, Otis Redding, Etta James and Elvis.

Shive, a professional session player/sideman with 40 years in the biz, never thought his daughter would actually grow up to be part of his music world. He has recorded and toured with such well-known artists as Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates, Robbie Dupree, David Lindley from Jackson Browne, Skip Scarboro from Earth Wind and Fire and many others.

His daughter, Brooke, is the lead singer for the band. Known to leave her heart right there on the stage, her emotional soul-baring can be heard in every note she nails. In her own words, she likes to get “swampy” with the music.

A former Miss Bucks County winner in 2000, Brooke has had success as an actress and has appeared in numerous television shows, such as “Rescue Me,” “As the World Turns,” Hack, “All My Children,” as well as film roles, including “Homecoming” and numerous voiceover commercials.

She’s been hanging around the stage since the age of 2, fondly watching her father perform, and says that anywhere she can perform or entertain people is where she feels most comfortable. It’s where she belongs.

With her good looks and blonde hair, she stands out among the other 45s — all men — who are her dad’s talented musician friends and who, collectively, have their own successful history making hip music with such notables as Billy Preston, Steve Winwood, Steely Dan, Taj Mahal and Don Henley, to name a few.

They include bassist/vocalist Jim Gilheany and guitarist Randall Thompson. Their songwriting partners are George Tiboni and Rick Stafford. Guest artists Andy Goessling and Jay Davidson make special appearances.

“What makes us different is that we are the only father/daughter act in pop music today,” said Shive.

“But it’s like I have four dads,” Brooke jovially added.The group is gaining a following throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the title song of its first album, “Way Past Gone” (Dec. 16 release date) has already garnered the 2011 Montgomery/Bucks Music Award’s Robert Hazard Award for “Best Original Song.”

When the group won the fan-based award, the band members were totally surprised and had no speech prepared.

“That was so crazy!” said Brooke. “It was almost like winning a Grammy.”

“Way Past Gone” has been a collaboration — Nashville style — two years in the making.

“It’s a love story,” said Shive of the album that features such tunes as “Kiss the Sky,” “Trying to Get to You” and “Lie, Lie, Lie.”

“There’s country, blues, rock and soul — like a bluesy roots-rock,” Brooke added.

It appears that Brooke Shive and her 45s are making strides in successfully marketing their brand throughout the region. Their award-winning song is already on its way up the charts, debuting at number 34 out of 50 as of Nov. 30 on Airplay Direct’s Americana Top 50 Album Chart.

You can see them live on Dec. 27, when the group is scheduled to appear on NBC-10’s “10! Show.” They’ll be performing their award-winning song “Way Past Gone.”
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/#!/shows/10-show/Brooke-Shive-Performs/136266448

Brooke Shive & the 45's, All in the Family
"There's no doubt about it. Brooke Shive was born to be an entertainer...the Newtown resident is fronting her own band, Brooke Shive & the 45's, which she formed with her father, percussionist and songwriter Steve Shive. And not only can she can sing, the petite bubbly blonde can belt out tunes with such searing emotion and conviction that the name Janis Joplin has been tossed her way more than once."

-Naila Francis, Bucks County Courier Times, April 14, 2009


Brooke Shive & the 45's to perform at New Hope Fireworks
"Dynamic", "Wide - ranging" "a dazzling performance" and "an eclectically influenced and experienced band"

-Joseph Zogorski, Bucks County Herald, August 26, 2010

Brooke Shive & the 45's to open for Ivan Neville

"The band's one-of-a-kind combination of talent, experience and enthusiasm has allowed them to quickly build a following and reputation in the area. Together for just over a year, Brooke Shive and the 45's are already playing for packed crowds."

-Jack Firneno, Dtown Magazine, February 2011 issue

USA Today article
• In Philadelphia, the late Kate Smith was known for her renditions of "God Bless America" at sports events.

In the arena before the Saturday night's finals, Philadelphia area recording artist Brooke Shive delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. In fact, she delivered two of them that day.

In an area underneath the stands, more than an hour before the start of the finals, with almost nobody around. the sound of Shive's voice could be heard belting out the anthem.

The sound was coming from inside a rest room, where she was doing a full run-through.

-Gary Mihoces, USA Today, March 21, 2011

Brooke Shive & the 45's to make World Cafe Live debut
By Naila Francis Staff Writer

They've been tearing up stages across the region for so long it's hard to believe the Bucks County-bred Brooke Shive & the 45's has yet to grace the venerable World Café Live in Philadelphia.

But on May 27, Shive, the Pennsbury High grad who started the blues-influenced rock and soul band with her father, drummer and songwriter Steve Shive, will make her World Café debut as she and her band headline the Conquer Entertainment Showcase. Conquer Entertainment provides services to help artists start their own label.

Along with vocalist and bassist Jim Gilheany and guitarist Randall Thompson, the quartet will deliver its distinctive, incendiary blend of rock, blues, soul and country. The band will be performing songs from its forthcoming full-length debut, "Way Past Gone," which was produced by Lance Davis and is slated for independent release this fall.

Shive, a petite vocal powerhouse at just under 5 feet 2 inches tall, has often drawn comparisons to one of her own icons, Janis Joplin. But she's more than come into her own in recent years, with a busy performing schedule that's only solidified her assertions that she was born to entertain.

The Conquer Entertainment Showcase will be held Upstairs at World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.

Brooke Shive & the 45's Headline World Cafe Live Show
"A Bucks County band with growing regional acclaim, Brooke Shive & the 45's, will be a headline act May 27 at Philadelphia's World Cafe Live. In today's competitive music scene, she has earned a reputation as a performer that leaves everything on stage."

-Curt Yeske, Bucks County Herald, May 25, 2011

Concert at Wild West City
Buck Dilly and Live Bait with Brooke Shive and the 45's to appear at Wild West City Sept. 17

BYRAM — Buck Dilly, longtime member of the Blue Sparks From Hell, and his new band, Live Bait, along with Brooke Shive and the 45's, will kick off the fall music season at Wild West City in Byram Township on Saturday night, Sept. 17. Doors open at 8 p.m. Show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 each.

Live Bait performs originals and other gems that Dilly says can be loosely called "Americana." Best known for 30 years of sonic, sizzling guitar virtuosity with Blue Sparks from Hell, Dilly has lent his chameleon-like versatility to Kings in Disguise, Chuck Berry, Rick Danko, Railroad Earth, Peter Karp and others. Equally adept at blues, country, rock 'n' roll and beyond, he has performed and recorded with a variety of major label and independent artists and is relishing his turn at the helm with Live Bait.

Brooke Shive & the 45's is fast becoming one of the hottest bands emerging on the scene today. Fronted by the striking Brooke Shive on lead vocals, this band is comprised of seasoned professionals who give an exciting, inspired and precise foundation for the gritty, elegant and emotional singing of Brooke. Brooke's emotional and intense presence is made even more so by the talented musicians who make up the 45's. On drums is her father Steve Shive, who has played drums with Daryl Hall, Tim Moore, Kingfish, David Lindley and Robbie Dupree to name a few. Jim Gilheany on bass formerly backed up Rick Danko, Lonnie Shields and Sonny Rhodes, and was a member of Kings in Disguise. Last but not least is super guitarist Randall Thompson who has toured with slide guitar master Billy Goodman and Steve Kimock, among others.

Ex-Monkee Peter Tork to Perform
In the '90s, Tork turned away from prefab and experimental rock to focus on the blues, and thus, the shoe suede blues was born. At age 69, he’s still got the heart, soul and fire that he had as a younger buck — but with more experience and stories to tell.

Find him on Facebook to sample his sound or learn more at facebook.com/PHTork1.
Advance tickets to tomorrow night’s show at the Record Collector are $25. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; the show starts at 8. The Record Collector is located at 358 Farnsworth Ave. For more information, call (609) 394-0880 or log onto the-record-collector.com.

Tonight’s performance at the New Hope Winery starts at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7) and tickets are $30. VIP tickets are already sold out.

Opening for Tork at the winery show is Brooke Shive and the 45s — a blues meets rock and soul group formed by Brooke with her father, Steve.

The group is a local favorite in the Garden State and known for down-home grittiness, honest and emotional lyrics, and a whirlwind of instrumental fire.

Brooke Shive & the 45's: Keeping It In The Family
“The band’s one-of-a-kind combination of talent, experience and enthusiasm has allowed them to quickly build a following and reputation in the area. Together for just over a year, Brooke Shive and the 45s are already playing for packed crowds.”

-Jack Firneno
Dtown Magazine
January 2, 2010

Full Article:
http://www.brookerachelshive.net/Brooke_Shive_%26_the_45s/Press_files/shive_dtown_issue20.pdf

Brooke Shive & the 45's Set To Rock Chaplin's
“Brooke Shive isn’t just another blonde singer from Bucks County. She’s been working hard not to be another cutesy pop songstress and has managed to break away from the mainstream into the realm of edgier blues and rock. You’d think with her beauty and her talent that she wouldn’t have to work so hard to get noticed, but once you do notice, look out. At 5’2”, Brooke may seem diminutive, but when she opens her mouth, the raw and gritty soul makes her more like a 6-foot-tall Janis Joplin.”


-Mary Cantell, Correspondent
Montgomery News
July 30, 2009

Full Article:
http://montgomerynews.com/articles/2009/07/30/entertainment/doc4a70c351aa32f489879000.txt

True Passion
“There’s no doubt about it. Brooke Shive was born to be an entertainer...the Newtown resident is fronting her own band, Brooke Shive & the 45’s, which she formed with her father, percussionist and songwriter Steve Shive. And not only can she can sing, the petite bubbly blonde can belt out tunes with such searing emotion and conviction that the name Janis Joplin has been tossed her way more than once.”


-Naila Francis , Staff Writer
Bucks County Courier Times, Burlington County Times, and Intelligencer
April 14, 2009

Full Article:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/445/2009/april/14/true-passion.html?fav%5Baction%5D=add&fav%5Btable%5D=tt_news&fav%5Buid%5D=202656

McStew's Irish Sports Pub Ss Singing The Blues On Thursdays
“I sat and watched Brooke perform with her band for the first time at McStew’s. Judging by the ovations she received from the packed crowd the Blues will be alive and well for a long time thanks to amazing singers like her.

She took complete control of the room and lead us all on a journey that we didn’t want to come back from. I never thought the Blues could feel or sound this good. Her voice became the eyes into her soul and we loved everything we saw that night. Brooke was at peace on stage and we were just glad that she allowed us to be a part of it.”

-John J. Ruppert, Out on The Town Magazine
Volume 30, Number 17
February 4, 2009 to February 25, 2009

Full Article:
http://www.brookerachelshive.net/Brooke_Shive_%26_the_45s/Press_files/brookeshiveoutonthetown.pdf