Meet The Band
Six unique stories, in their own words
Tim Wire
Keyboard & Vocals
Tim was influenced by boogie woogie and blues at an early age; This has been the basis on which so much of the music he plays comes from. In a long career Tim has played many memorable gigs including the Grande Ball Room in Detroit during the late 60's with the Wells Street Blues Band. On the same bill were Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton who had not yet reached their peak. Tim was also recorded on Chicago bluesman Son Seals' album "Lettin' Go", which went on to win the 2001 WC Handy award for Best Traditional Blues album of the year. He went on to tour Jazz and Blues festivals across Europe with Son Seals multiple times.
Moving to Michigan in the mid 90's Tim met a kindred spirit in Newt Cole. Their love of New Orleans, Blues, and horn band swing music made a perfect musical match. The Fabulous Horndogs was formed along with other band mates, all talented musicians. They are still with the band and having a ball. Ya gotta love music!
Bop til you drop!
Dell Knickerbocker
Saxophones & Vocals
Traverse City native Dell Knickerbocker has returned to the Northern Michigan music scene to assume
the role of saxophonist and vocalist with The Fabulous Horndogs after the untimely passing of co-
founder Newt Cole.
Having spent the last 35 years in the Chicago area, Dell has performed with such musical greats as Tony Bennett, Doc Severinsen, Phil Woods, Albert King, Son Seals, Matt Guitar Murphy, Lonnie Brooks, JoAnna Connor, Larry McCray and many more.
A 1984 graduate of Traverse City Senior High School, Dell performed in the school’s concert and jazz
ensembles. He also performed as a member of the Northwestern Michigan College Jazz Band 1981-
1984 starting at the age of 15 along with Horn Dogs trombonist Billy Gauthier. He was shaped by local
jazz legend and educator Hugh Willey as a member of Willy’s youth group called “Just for Fun”. “Hugh
sparked my interest to both improvise and entertain through music. He helped me find my musical
voice.”
Dell studied saxophone with John Nichol at Central Michigan University and was a member of
the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab 1 and Professor Nichol’s personal saxophone quartet. Dell was
awarded NAJE’s Outstanding Musician award at the 1986 Detroit Montreau Jazz Festival and, Downbeat
Magazine’s ALL-STAR award at Music Fest 1987 in Chicago.
“I’m excited to return to Traverse City to spend the rest of my days playing music for family and friends,
old and new! Newt Cole invited me onto the stage at Union Street Station back in 1982. Little did I
know I’d be a part of The Fabulous Horn Dogs 42 years later! I’m honored to be a part of The Fabulous Horn Dogs brotherhood!”
Mike Marois
Guitar & Vocals
Mike picked up the guitar in his early teens and played in a few bands during and after high school. After joining Newt and the Salamanders, he spent much of his 20s touring the Midwest in clubs and opening concerts for such luminaries as Average White Band, Ike and Tina Turner, and later, The Blues Brothers.
After leaving that band, Mike moved to Hollywood, California, and while in the music business there, rubbed shoulders with some of the most notable musical artists of that time. Eventually moving back to Michigan, Mike formed, along with longtime friend, Newt Cole, the Fabulous Horndogs.
drums & vocals
Jim Murphy
Drums, Percussion & Vocals
"Born in Gary, Indiana; Grew up in the Tri-Cities. Moved north in '75. In high school I landed under the direction of the Great Bugs Beddow at Leland Public Schools. Bugs was also the Trombone from "Newt and the Salamanders". This catapulted me into the music scene right out of high school, playing a large variety of different genres of music, always busy. Then in '95 came the opportunity to help start the Dogs.
Now, 30 years and hundreds of shows later, I think we've made a lot of people happy. I know we make 'em Dance!"
bass & vocals
Joe Williams
Bass Guitar & Vocals
Joe Williams has been burning up stages since the early age of 14. At 16 he earned a spot in his mother's polka/variety band "Agnes and her Polka Dotz". For ten years they performed throughout Michigan at festivals and clubs,and traveled to perform in Hawaii and the Caribbean.
By his mid-twenties, the calling to perform rock 'n roll led Joe to form the Cedar Swamp Band with fellow bandmate Jim Murphy. After 3 years and numerous gigs, the band reformed, and a much heavier and more progressive band called Stone Dog emerged. This band tore up Michigan stages for a couple of years touting a big PA and light show.
A call in the mid 90's from Northern Michigan legend Newt Cole (Newt and the Salamanders) landed Joe a slot in the power funk and blues band The Fabulous Horndogs. These dogs prowled the beaches and nightclubs of Northern Michigan for years, receiving the Best of Northern Michigan Readers' Choice Award multiple times.
Sweet Joe Williams and Preacher's Daughter (aka Elizabeth Rivers) emerged in 2013, with the duo writing dozens of songs, and a stint with Jabo Bihlman, has brought Joe back to the 2022 return of The Fabulous Horndogs.
Joe Williams has shared the stage with National Blues artists such as Buddy Guy, G.E. Smith, rock greats Foreigner, Warrant, Kenny Oleson and country star Clay Walker. Funk, Rock, Blues: you name it! This guy can lay down a groove with adrenaline-burning enthusiasm that cannot be matched.
trombone & vocals
Billy Gauthier
Trombone & Vocals
In 1976, at my sister's wedding, a band was playing led by trombonist Bugs Beddow. In that moment I remember thinking, "I want to be him! I want to be onstage and rock the crowd! Thank you, Bugs, for the inspiration that sent me on my music career!!
1978. As a senior in high school, along with Mike Davis, an instructor at NW Michigan College, I helped found the NW Michigan College Jazz Big Band. 45 years later I'm happily still playing with that wonderful Jazz Big Band!
Over the years, I've played with many bands all over Northern Michigan including, from time to time, saxophonist and friend Dell Knickerbocker's Southside Chicago Blues Band.
From 1996 to 2010, I brought together a three-piece horn section with a band called "Rumour" (Rockin' Under Munson's OR) The band was voted Best Pop/Rock Band in Northern Michigan.
Another time, I put together a 4-piece horn section for "East Bay Blue and the Brewz Brothers, sharing the stage with music icons like Kim Wilson of the "Fabulous Thunderbirds" and Kenny Wayne Shepard.
Since 2007 my trombone has blown the blues with "Sweet Water Blues Band". We were a Tuesday night staple gig at the Holiday Inn in Traverse City for four years.
In 2022, when Newt Cole and Fabulous Horndogs were reunited, I learned that they needed a trombone. Upon meeting the band, I was asked to be a part their horn section. Let the horns blow on!
