Celebrating 40 Years

40 years!  That is a long time no matter what you are referring to, but a band that has lasted 40 Years?  Unbelievable!

 

The Wulfe Bros., a band started by Paul Cunningham, today features Jeff Jarboe on drums, Rod Wurtele on Keyboards and Cunningham on bass guitar and the only remaining original member.   When The Wulfe Bros. were formed, Cunningham was playing with Company Front and had also been a member of the Rugbys.  Many groups of that era were leaning heavily on the British Invasion sound.  Cunningham and other fellow musicians wanted to go in a different direction and look for a different sound. 

 

Searching for a new sound also required a new name.    Pat Burnfin, a friend who was managing a local band called The Nite Owls, suggested the “brothers” idea.  No other brother bands existed in the market at that point, so The Wulfe Bros. were born. 

 

Although the names and faces have changed through the years and the types of music they play has evolved, the name has served them well.  Members past and present have formed a bond that is nothing short of a true family connection.

 

While The Wulfe Bros. live in Louisville, KY, the early years found them on the road much of the time.  A Lexington, KY booking agency served as a home base for them and they traveled extensively in Kentucky and the Midwest, also in Alaska, the Caribbean, Florida and New York.

 

As members changed and music evolved, the band has had as many as five members and today’s Wulfe Bros. is a  three piece group.  The one factor that has never changed has been the vocal strength of this group.  In adding or changing members, that has been the #1 criteria.  Each “Wulfe Brother” has had the ability to not only sing lead, but also the talent to sing true harmony not just background.  With today’s technology and computer tricks available, The Wulfe Bros. take great pride in their ability to step up to the microphone and sing an a cappella version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” that does not leave a dry eye in the house.

 

For 40 years The Wulfe Bros. has provided consistent employment for the members.  Many musicians work “day jobs” that allow them the option of playing in a band.  The members of The Wulfe Bros. are full-time musicians.  The band has managed to not only survive, but thrive.  As the music environment has evolved, this band has evolved to include a “day job” of performing musical educational programs in schools.  It all began with the seed of an idea in 1992 with a patriotic program and has grown today into six different musical history lessons.

 

After making great music for 40 years, The Wulfe Bros. have fans that first heard them at their High School Prom or a wedding reception of a friend or at a state fair or community festival.  The exciting news is that today they have a whole new generation of listeners who are becoming fans who think they are hearing this incredible music for the first time!

 

What does the future hold for The Wulfe Bros.?  Another 40 years?  Paul, Jeff and Rod see no end in sight!