Midnite Special

2007-01-10T01:16:00.000-08:00

Introducing

Midnite Special

LEX AND MICHELLE GREAVES

Founding band members, Lex and Michelle Greaves are two of the 14 children born to revered country recording artist, the late Rusty Greaves, with whom they began performing on stage with when they were pre-school age. Fourteen years ago they established Midnite Special and have been working in clubs and concert-halls throughout New Zealand ever since, accumulating a wealth of experience and developing a high level of professionalism. The band has seen a variety of line-up changes throughout its decade and a half tenure, the latest of which is among the most versatile and dynamic. Lex is the groups Musical-Director/Bass player and shares lead vocal duties with Michelle. Highly organized vocal harmonies are provided by the other band members, giving the band a unique warmth and robust sound, which is hard to surpass.

JOSEPH ANDERSON-GUITAR/VOCALS

A music performance graduate, Joseph has worked as a professional musician since leaving high-school. Aside from his work with Midnite Special, he is a member of New Zealand’s foremost big band-The Roger Fox Big Band, with whom he has recorded five albums, the last of which has been picked up by ECM New Zealand. Joseph also featured on Julie Mason’s album Estate’, which went on to be nominated for jazz album of the year at the New Zealand music awards 2005.

He has had the pleasure of performing and touring with some very notable international artists including; drummer Steve Smith , Saxophonist’s Michael Brecker and Bob Mintzer, Trombonist Jim Pugh (Steely Dan), trumpeter Clay Jenkins( Diana Krall, Count Basie Big band), British crooner Tony Christie, San Francisco based blues guitarist Chris Cain and singer Roy Phillips( ex Peddlers). Joseph has also worked with local talents; Frankie Stevens, Midge Marsden, Eddie Lowe, Ray Woolf and Larry Morris.

ROBERT KATIPA-GUITAR/VOCALS

Robert Katipa comes from a very talented family also and has established himself as one of the countries premier country-rock guitarists, during his fifteen year career. Robert, like Lex and Michelle grew up in the Country Music scene, absorbing the mentorship of his father, Bob Katipa also a notable guitar player and musician. Robert is a very versatile and sought after guitarist, frequently hired as a backing musician for music festivals and recording sessions. We are thrilled to have him in the band.

NEIL WILLIAMSON-DRUMS

Neil originally studied drumming with New Zealand drumming pioneer, Frank Gibson Jnr. In 1988 he moved to Australia where he studied at the NSW Conservatorium of Music, receiving tutelage from David Jones, one of Australia's most high calibre drummers. Neil was exposed to a diversity of musical influences, while studying and performing in Australia. His main gig being with the well established ‘Red House Rockers’. He is a fluent reader, with impeccable facility, and has backed many artist including Tom Sharplin, Ray Woolf, Kevin Greaves, The Mike Walker Trio, Red House Rockers, Edwina Thorne, Jerome Hendrix, Marian Burns, Peter Woods and many more. Neil now runs his own drum school in the Franklin District (The Franklin Drum School) in Pukekohe and he has proved to be a very gifted teacher with over 40 students per week.

Welcome!!!

2007-01-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!!!
And welcome to the "Midnite Special" Website!!!

Here you will find what we have been up to in our News section, links to other great website's, and of course our Gig guide and Photo gallery!!!

Take the time to look around, and feel free to make an enquiry or even just to say "Hello"!!!

chelle.chris@vodafone.co.nz

Call Lex on 027 483 7439

Call Michelle on 027 284 3704

News

2007-01-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

Well it's certainly been a busy time for us. We have had a bunch of great gigs over the last couple of months. The highlight would be our show with Eddie Lowe at the Manurewa Cosi Club. We have another show coming up on 3rd September with NZ Queen of Country Music "Jodi Vaughan". Save the date and come along, it will be a great night. The Manurewa Cosi Club is a fantasic venue for all you dancers that want somewhere to go and show off your talents and what better way to do it, to the sounds of Midnite Special.

A big congratulations to our Guitarist Joseph and his partner Hraisa on the birth of their new baby boy Cohen. We wish you all the happiness a new baby brings and a great little playmate for Connor.

You'll notice that in our Gig Guide there will be some dates that are only Lex, Michelle and Rob as "Rivera". Sometimes when the band is too big for a venue or the people only require a smaller group we sometimes book ourselves out as a three piece under the name of 'Rivera". So make sure you still come along as the sound is still great.

If you wish to be on our mailing list for the latest news on Midnite Special, please send Michelle an email at chelle.chris@xtra.co.nz and she will add you in.

Well that's it from us for now. We have a great bunch of gigs coming up so we look forward to seeing you at a gig real soon.

Cheers
Lex & The Band.

Links

2007-01-09T12:43:00.002-08:00

www.kevingreaves.com

www.brucegreaves.com

www.whitegoatband.com

www.glenmoffatt.com

www.kylieaustin.com

www.brendonham.co.nz

www.marianburns.co.nr

www.musicmania.co.nz

For all our Music Equipment Midnite Special proudly supports

Grahame and the team at Music Mania - Manukau City

Gig Guide

2007-01-09T12:43:00.001-08:00

18th February - Ed Street Bar Pukekohe 8pm start

Photo Gallery & Play List

2007-01-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

Midnite Special Song List

Peaceful Easy Feeling
Proud Mary
Long Train Running
Love will keep us alive
You to me are everything
Drift Away
Lay Down Sally
I shot the sheriff
Take it to the limit
You make me feel like dancing
Blue Suede shoes
April Sun in Cuba
All shook up
Have you ever seen the rain
Midnite Special
Steal my kisses
What’s goin’ on
Mama Mia
Under the board walk
Another Saturday Night
Saturday night at the movies
Why Does Love
With or without you
Sweet Darlin
Pink Cadillac
Lightning Crashes
I feel lucky
Mustang Sally
Something to talk about
Listen to the music
Hotel California
September
Sweet Home Alabama
I love Rock n Roll
Better man
Santeria
Play that funky music white boy
Pretty Women
Hurts so good
I want to break free
Dancing Queen
Crazy little thing called love
River Deep, Mountain High
Simply the best
La Bamba
Twist and shout
Dreadlock Holiday
Summer of 69
Johnny B. Goode
Stuck in the middle with you
Walk of Life
Mary had a little lamb
Heading in the right direction
Come on over
Wonderful tonight
If tomorrow never comes
Everything to me
Ring, ring
When you say nothing at all
The great pretender
The Gambler
Ruby
Islands in the stream
Six days on the road
If I said you had a beautiful body
Achy Breaky heart
Bluest heart ache
Honey, Honey
I like it, I love it
Man, I feel like a woman
Perfect
Rocky Top
Independence day
Pour Me
Mi vida loca
Better things to do
Waterloo
Dance the night away
Ruby, Ruby
Lipstick on your collar
Blue beat
Honey Don’t
Rock around the clock
Great balls of fire
That’ll be the day
Every time that you walk in the room
I saw her standing there
The Twist
Take it easy
Billie Jean
Blame It On The Boogie
Wonder Wall
Better Man

AND MANY MORE