Other Joe Pete jams
Besides his own band and solo work, Joe Pete has his fingers in a few other pies too.
Lynette & the Sundowners
Joe Pete plays country music with Lynette and the Sundowners. Lynette started the band in 2019 to play her originals and well-chosen vintage songs. The band digs into hard-driving 1960s style Country & Western and Rockabilly music, think Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, or Brenda Lee circa 1964. The Sundowners appeal to music fans from 8 to 80 years old, so contact Lynette for bookings at clubs, festivals, car shows, weddings, and private events.
The Shady Roosters
Joe Pete is not in the wonderful South Shore (Masschusetts) rockabilly band the Shady Roosters, but he’s a frequent guest.
Joe Pete and Mickey Bones met them when bassist Doug Lowry was on the Marshfield, Massachusetts recreation committee and hired the Boogaloo Swamis for a Mardi Gras party. They were called the Pig Dogs then. Later they changed their name to Lonesome Jukebox, before eventually settling on the current name, the Shady Roosters.
They play old-school rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, country à la Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, or Webb Pierce, and the occasional left field choice like the Joey Ramone version of What a Wonderful World. They also have originals from multi-instrumentalist Paul Nixon (who as owner of independent brewery Indie Ferm is a real asset to the band, let me tell you). As a group they are the nicest people you could want to know. Joe Pete teases them that something might be wrong with them. They play the music really well and they ooze the good spirit.
It is always, always, always nothing but fun, fun, fun to hang out and jam with these wonderful players and people.
The Squeezebox Stompers
Joe Pete and Rockin’ Ralph Tufo played together in the Boogaloo Swamis and have been friends since. Nowadays Ralph leads his own Cajun/zydeco band the Squeezebox Stompers. They carry on the vibe and music that we did together in the Swamis. Ralph doesn’t need no Joe Pete, but once in a while his great guitar player Larry Plitt can’t make it, and then Joe Pete is very happy to take the call.
From the band’s website:
“For over 25 years, the Squeezebox Stompers have brought the vibrant sounds of Cajun, zydeco, blues, folk, and original music to New England, earning Boston Music Awards and songwriting accolades along the way. Our lively and eclectic performances are guaranteed to get you on your feet and having a blast!
With a rich blend of instruments—including accordion, fiddle, mandolin, saxophone, harmonica, guitar, bass, and drums—we create an unique live music experience. Perfect for festivals, dance halls, coffeehouses, private events, and more, our adaptable lineup (3 to 6 members) is the perfect fit for any occasion.”
Family music
Joe Pete’s wife Ruth Rappaport and son Ben Wetherbee both play music and sometimes we do work together in some arrangement. Ruth and Joe Pete have done duo gigs together, we’ve done gigs as a family, and Joe Pete has worked as a sideman in Ben’s bands.
One thing Joe Pete doesn’t do is play with Ruth and Ben in their Ruth and Ben String Band. If you’re into the old-timey music thing, you need to check them out. Joe Pete says—just the facts—that they’re the best for that kind of thing.
Mickey Bones
Joe Pete and Mickey Bones still sometimes do Boogaloo Swamis and Hubcaps work. Sometimes Mickey calls with unusual one-off gigs that can be a lot of fun to do. And Mickey also has the Hot Tamale Brass Band, a fantastic New Orleans style brass band that does not include Joe Pete. He’s the man to get in touch with if you’d like to have any of these bands play for you.
