Wheel’s on Fire

Josh Thompson – Guitar & Vocals

On Josh’s 6th birthday his grandmother gave him a little red harmony acoustic guitar. That gift launched a lifelong passion to which he became absolutely obsessed. In junior high school Josh and some equally obsessed friends formed the rock band Fast Eddie who went on to record 5 studio albums of original music and play around the Tri-State area and Northeast. In the mid 90’s he formed a theory that his then girlfriend (Marcy) was a better singer than him. With some encouragement she gave it a shot, and a musical vocal team (and eventual marriage) was born that lasts to this day. It was also through the band Fast Eddie that the Thompson’s met Dave Devonshire when they convinced him to join the band on drums. Despite not working together for decades there was only one drummer that Josh and Marcy had in mind when the idea of starting a “The Band” tribute act was being hatched.

In the late 2010’s Josh, Marcy, Jeremy, and John (JB) all began working together in the popular Grateful Dead Tribute band “Mighty River Band”. During a break in the action the idea to have a party and perform “The Last Waltz” turned out to be so much musical fun that “Wheel’s On Fire” was born.

Josh is a big fan of Jazz and Blues, and lover of live improvisational rock music especially bands like The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers. However, his favorite music act of all time has been “The Band” for as long as he can remember.

Josh’s guitar playing and vocals are soaked with R&B and Soul with a playful emotional side. He has been compared to artists such as Lowel George, Warren Haynes, John Bell, and Gary Moore.

Ever the collector of all kinds of musical gear it has become a bit of a joke among friends of the band how Josh can’t say no to buying a piece of gear. It could be a priceless vintage guitar or microphone or a cheap plastic stage monitor freshly run over by a car, Josh can’t say “no”. He’s the kind of guy who brings a 5,000 dollar guitar to a gig in a 500 dollar car.

John Bingham – Organ & Synth

John Bigham, son of world-renowned jazz pianist Eddie Francis Bigham, carries a rich musical legacy into his own dynamic career. Drawing inspiration from funk, boogie, blues, and jazz, John’s keyboard style is both soulful and electrifying. He toured for over two decades with Chubby Checkers and has been a key contributor to bands such as Diamond Eyed Jack, Swamp Ash, and the Mighty River Band. Currently, he brings his signature groove to the keyboard section of the Wheel’s On Fire Band, continuing a lifelong journey of musical expression.

Rob Primrose – Piano

Rob Primrose is a veteran pianist with a rich background in ragtime, boogie-woogie, blues and rock. Active professionally through the 1990s and early 2000s, he was a core member of bands including Dead Flowers, N’cino Rain, Krypton City Blues, and the acoustic Rob and Michelle Duo with vocalist Michelle Mikus. His rhythmic drive and stylistic versatility complement the duel keyboard section of the Wheel’s On Fire Band.

Jeremy Pierce – Bass

Jeremy has been gracing area stages for years with the many musical projects of which he is a key contributor. As a rhythmic based musical ‘team player” Jeremy is known for his ability to blend seamlessly with a variety of styles, and form the pocket needed to make a good sounding band become a great sounding band. Whether it is with Wheel’s On Fire, the popular Grateful Dead Tribute bands (Crippled But Free, and The Mighty River Band), his original music band Spotus, or any of the countless projects who recruit Jeremy’s expertise he can be counted on to deliver bass playing that inspires the other musicians involved.

His influences include Phil Lesh, Mike Gordon, Rick Danko as well as many lesser know (but extremely talented) bass players known for Jam, Rock, Jazz, and World music.

Offstage Jeremy is a devout “gear head” always searching for the right pedal or piece of equipment to make his sound unique, pleasant, and powerful as well as to provide a cosmic “soundscape” for the down time between songs, and during the “technical misadventures” that all live bands occasionally face.

In his spare time Jeremy runs an artistically nuanced lighting company that provides mood lighting on a grand scale for special events. This talent is often on display during Wheel’s On Fire shows.

David Devonshire – Drums & Vocals

Dave is a lifelong student of the drums, as well as music in general. He studied studio engineering technology and music at The Berklee College of Music. He has played in bands in many different genres in many different capacities. In the local area Dave has been spotted on stages with original rock bands Fast Eddie, and Live Bait as well as many singer songwriter projects as part of a production team supporting and launching many artists. His drumming skills speak for themselves. Dave’s ability to drive a song and support the musical conversation has been honed by years of being a studio drummer. How fitting for a tribute to The Band to have a gifted signing drummer with Levon Helm as a major influence.

In addition to Levon Dave draws influence from drummers such as Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, and countless Jazz greats.

Dave is a passionate music educator for a Pennsylvania public school. He also enjoys toiling in his project studio, or spending time in commercial studios in an effort to record as much music as possible.

Marcy Thompson – Backing Vocals

Marcy brings vocal harmonies to the table to round out the sound of Wheels of Fire. She is also a long time member of Fast Eddie Jam Band, Mighty River Band, Thompson Light & Sound Co as well as been a part of duos & trios around Central Pa. She lives for the connection to the audience when everyone comes together for that one...magical...moment.

Chris Hynum – Saxophone

Chris Hynum has been playing professionally in the Central PA area for 35 years. Chris cut his teeth playing jazz, gradually progressing to soul, rock, blues and even country. His influences reflect these experieces as evidenced by his passion for saxophonists John Coltrane and Branford Marsalis and band influences like The Allman Brothers, Tower of Power, and of course The Band