Fabulous HighTops
The Fabulous HighTops are a five piece, high energy tumble into classic rock, rockabilly and blues.
TFH are led by veteran guitar slinger and crooner, David Johnson. Johnson honed his chops in Arkansas' early rock 'n roll days, playing with many of the seminal players in the northern part of the state, including the boys from Black Oak Arkansas. Johnson's musical travels have taken him to Texas, where he settled, for a time, and jammed at venues with the likes of Kim Wilson, Jimmy Vaughn, Luanne Barton, Billy Gibbons, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Edgar Winter and Roy Head. In more recent times, Johnson has been on stage with long-time friend and Alligator recording artist Michael Burks. Johnson is a guitarist's guitarist, able to pull off literally hundreds of guitar sounds and licks, staples of the unique arrangements the FHT are known for.
On the other guitar is Big Al Halpin. Halpin landed in Arkansas by way of New York, where he played in many of the clubs that Johnson toured through. Halpin has shared the stage with Savoy Brown, Foghat & Peter Frampton. Halpin's guitar and slide work is reminiscent of the Chicago & New York brand of blues.
Frank O'Brien provides a smooth groove, weighing in on the Hammond B-3. O'Brien's style is laced with an Allman Brothers influence.
James "JP" Petty picks up the bottom end. This bass slapping import from Texas has played with Johnson in several bands and is also Johnson's primary song writing partner. Playing mainly in the Houston area, Petty has shared the spotlight with Molly Hatchett, Edgar Winter, Roy Head and The Marshall Tucker Band.
Rounding out the bottom is Jim "Bonze" McCoy. McCoy bangs away on the skins, keeping the rest of the band in time. Picking up the sticks for the first time around 1975, McCoy has experience playing everything from blues to gospel and country to heavy metal. He has shared the stage with regional favorites Code Blue, Over Drive, Judge Parker and Smiley Died as well as national act, Molly Hatchett.
TFH stage show is a solid display of musicianship, mixing original music with everyone's favorite cover tunes. The group's CD, All Laced Up and Steppin' Out, gives the listener a good mix of what they can expect during the live show.
Want more information on TFH? Check out their music, pictures and calendar at http://www.thefabuloushightops.com.