The friends who make up the classic rock and blues act “GT Jam” said they began playing music together for relaxation and ended up making a night job out of it.
Composed of Lake Orion resident Jeff Young on acoustic guitar, Al Salerno of Rochester on bass guitar, Gerry Mattei of Rochester Hills on lead guitar, Michael Taber of Rochester on guitar, Tim Burke of Rochester on drums, Gary Ferro of Shelby on keyboards, Jon Plesz of Sterling Heights on saxophone, and Karen Petrocella of Warren on vocals; GT Jam began playing together about two years ago as a way to relieve stress.
Some of the group’s founding members; including Salerno, Young and Mattei; work together at Supply Solutions in Southfield, and first played together as a band at Addison Oaks for a company picnic.
The band’s name, GT Jam, comes from the founding member’s names, including Burke and Taber. Petrocella joined after, and Mattei’s son, Gerry Jr., played keyboards with the group until he began attending Western Michigan University and was replaced by Ferro.
The group added Plesz to their lineup after playing at his establishment, the Rochester Mills Beer Company.
“We’re all in our 40s and 50s,” said Salerno,” and the kids get older…you have a little of your free time back. As a non-golfer, (playing music) is something I really enjoy.”
Young, who was raised in Lake Orion and graduated from Lake Orion High School, said the band got their start playing shows at the Wagon Wheel, where they continue to entertain every other month.
“We kind of wanted to try something like that,” Young said of performing for the public.
“We play classic rock, blues and some motown,” Salerno said. “We’re all in business, and we make a concentrated effort to bring people to the shows.
“We get a collection of professional people and lay people (at the shows),” he continued. “It makes it interesting.”
“Our roadies are CEOs,” quipped Taber.
What began as a “hobby” and “stress reliever” has snowballed into something much bigger for the band members. They practice every Tuesday night in Salerno’s basement.
“Right now we’re doing it for the fun and getting people together,” Young said.
“Our focus is to have the best mix of tunes…we have a lot of danceable music,” said Salerno. “People will hear a favorite song they haven’t heard in years, and it takes them back to a time in their life.”
“We strive to be the best at what we do when we’re doing it,” Mattei said.
The band has experimented with some original material but will stick to the some 80 cover songs they have in their repertoire for now.
“We’re constantly bringing in new material…we like to keep it fresh,” said Mattei.
For more information on GT Jam’s show schedule, email gt_jam@yahoo.com. They play at 10 p.m. at Wagon Wheel in downtown Lake Orion on Oct. 11.