Sisters and Brothers nominated 'Best Rock Recording'
Lookin' For The Light nominated 'Song of The Year'
Sisters and Brothers
2019 SAMMY & NAMA Nominations for
Best Rock Recording & Song of The Year
BROTHERS
Irv Lyons Jr. - Songwriter, Guitars & Vocals
Joe Driscoll - Vocals
Ronnie Leigh - Vocals
Richie Melito - Guitar
Billy Harrison - Bass
Bill DiCosimo - Keyboards
Dan Pugh - Keyboards
Teddy Boileau - Drums
Dave Chitambar - Drums
Jeff Moleski - Drums
Ron Keck - Percussion
Emedin Rivera - Percussion
Paulie Cerra - Saxophone
Jeff Stockham - Fluglehorn
SISTERS
Melissa Gardiner - Vocals & Trombone
Melanie Krahmer (Sirsy) - Vocals
Danielle Mitchell - Vocals
Kimberly Rossi - Vocals
At age 7, a young left handed aspiring musician was handed a guitar. "If you're going to learn to play, it is going to have to be on this right handed one." Playing flipped around and upside has proven to be a metaphor for Irv Lyons Jr.'s life. Nothing gets this man down.
Irv's sultry vocals and melodic guitar playing brings to the band a distinctive sound rooted in Latin influenced jazz, as well as country and blues. Irv has opened up for Dickie Betts, Grammy Winner Joanne Shenandoah and NAMMY winner Jana.
This Oneida Nation Native is a major contributor of original material for his other band The Ripcords including straight ahead blues, instrumentals, Latin, and roots rockers. With this group he's graced the stage with such talents as Earl Slick, Terrance Simien, Dickie Betts, Coco Montoya, Jackie Greene, Kenny Wayne Shepard and Indigenous. Irv won a SAMMY with The Ripcords for best Americana CD in 2009.
Irv Lyons Jr., one of Central New York’s most notable songwriters has been nominated for four Native American Music Awards. This is a national organization. “Our national music archive has become the world’s first & largest Native American music archive in the world.”
Irv Lyons Jr. has been nominated for 4 NAMA Awards!
Irv Lyons Jr. is a respected singer, songwriter and guitar player for his own group, Irv Lyons Jr. and The Light and for The Ripcords. Irv has a distinctive sound drawing from Latin influenced jazz, as well as Country and Blues while still embracing his Native American Roots. Playing upside down, this Native artist awes those who watch him perform.
Irv has been nominated for many awards from both the NAMA’s and Syracuse Area Music Awards. With The Ripcords he has won Best Americana Album. This year Irv is nominated with a compilation album comprised of many musicians from CNY and beyond. His album of originals highlights Lyons songwriting ability, while others perform his songs. Sisters and Brothers is nominated for Song of the Year and Best Rock Recording. With The Ripcords he is nominated for Best Blues Recording and Best Music Video Performance.
Achievements
2019 - NAMA Nominated for 'Song of The Year'
2019 - NAMA Nominated for 'Best Rock Recording'
2019 - NAMA Nominated 'Best Blues Recording' w/ The Ripcords
2019 - NAMA Nominated 'Best Music Video Performance' w/ The Ripcords
2019 - SAMMY Nominated for 'Sisters and Brothers'
2019 - SAMMY Nominated for 'Ripcords Live Album'
2017 - SAMMY Nominated for 'Doing It All'
2017 - NAMA Nominated for 'Doing It All'
2016 - Akademia Music Awards Best Rock/R&B Album
2014 - NAMA Nominated National Award w/ Fabulous Ripcords
2013 - SAMMY Nominated Best Blues Album w/ Fabulous Ripcords
2010 - SAMMY Award Winner Best Americana CD w/ Fabulous Ripcords
*NAMA known as the Native American Music Awards. “Our national music archive has become the world’s first & largest Native American music archive in the world.” https://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/
*SAMMY known as the Syracuse Area Music Awards. https://www.syracuseareamusic.com/
VIDEOS
MEDIA PHOTOS
IRV LYONS JR ALBUMS
PRESS QUOTES
"Wonderland possesses a very overt matter of style and I dig it. Much of the spirit of this record is about sonic adventure. The arrangements and musicianship are stellar." Chuck Schiele - Table Hopping
“'From the funk rock vibe of 'Be My Baby' to the feel-good lyrics of 'Wonderland', Irv Lyons Jr. blends soulful vocal stylings with tight instrument arrangements to create a well-rounded and highly listenable rock R&B album.'” Akademia Music Awards
"A NAMMY or GRAMMY nomination does not seem like too much to hope for." RockWired Magazine Feb. 2016
Brian Lush - Rock Wired Magazine
"Oneida Nation Native Irv Lyons Jr. has just released his debut album. I Love the Night has a vintage Rock & Roll sound crossed with Americana love songs. An unforgettable album of love songs that are filled with passion and some psychedelic sound effects. Wanna Be With You, goes into an amazing jam section where Lyons’ guitar solo, reminiscent of Carlos Santana, leaving the listener stunned."
Zach Luckin - Upstatelive.com
"You can hear the good chemistry throughout. Lyons’ solo project turns out to be a rather grand experiment. It’s punchy, modern blues sound starts with the cool fuzz guitar of the opening cut, “Wanna Be with You” is supported with a solid musical foundation from bassist Mike Casale and drummer James Bianchi. “Bedroom Eyes” features a fast and interesting beat by Moleski and cool keyboard work by Lyons. “Be My Baby” is powerful and mysterious, with its echo-vocals by Lyons. And the closer, “I Love the Night,” is a sneaky little blues love song."
Mark Bialczak -
"Irv plays guitar, sings, plays bass and the keys on this all the way around fantastic offering of music. One very bright highlight is the powerful and beautiful vocal duo work of Lisa Nojaim on “If You Love Me” and “Stronghold,” both songs stood out immediately as they really do compliment each other, especially “Stronghold.” Don’t think that there aren’t some tricks and treats on this CD just because I say “rock and blues” as “Be My Baby” has some nice effects added in that really work the song to a unique sound and vibe, excellent work by Moleski and Lyons on that one to challenge what you have come to expect sonically thus far." Dave Garlow - Examiner.com
"Armed with almost all originals, the album is a lesson in how to meld guitar and vocals, taking a step outside the comfort zone of a full band. The final three tracks also prove that stepping into a new style can garner attention-grabbing results. “Be My Baby” pounds with a driving beat, filthy guitar and vocals delivered with sinister sincerity and “I Love the Night” mixes the traditional blues Lyons owns with floating vocals and church-like keys. Lyons’ passion is evident and his talent is obvious."
Jess Novak - The Syracuse New Times
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