Josephine Crooks is no stranger to the Pittsburgh music scene. She has appeared with the Pittsburgh Musical Theater in Miss Saigon, with John Holt Productions in Best of Broadway, Lady Legends, Divas and Divas Together Again. You may have seen Josie fronting local bands Dancing Queen, Spectrum, Protégé. Persephone’s Dream, and The Holidays. She has recorded several songs in Nashville and was recorded on the 3WS Home for the Holidays Volume II album. Josie was a finalist in the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops Search for a Star talent contest. She has performed twice with the classic rock band Chicago (If You Leave Me Now). Originally from Cebu, the Philippines, Josie is married and has a 16-year old son.
Gwen Davis A native of Pittsburgh, Gwen joined Leon Daniels and the El Venos in 1998 and the group recorded two music videos for WPGH TV Channel 13. They appeared with the Skyliners, Little Richard, the Dubs, the Vogues and many others. The group also provided backup vocals for Eddie Holman when he appeared in Pittsburgh. Gwen joined the variety band Protégé in 2003 and, with this group, she has shared the stage with the Temptations, the Supremes, and Jackie Evancho. She has also done solo appearances sharing the stage with Kenny Vance and the Planatones, the New Holidays, Johnny Angel and the Halos,The Magic Moments, and more. In 2014 Gwen formed a duo (The G & J Project) with vocalist Josephine Crooks.
Mikey Lathom first discovered his vocal talent during his teenage years when he won his high school talent show singing Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode.” Since then he has sung with several groups including The Laurels, William Dell and Wee Jams and currently performs with Pure Gold. Mikey was featured on the Nationally Publicized PBS TV Show “Doo Wop Generations.” He has also shared the stage with many musical greats such as Billy Price, Chuck Corby, The Spaniels, The Marcels, The Jaggerz, The Duprees, The Flamingos, The Drifters, Kid Kyle, The Shirelles and Little Anthony and the Imperials. Mikey also performed at the Roots of Rock’n Roll Encore Edition at Heinz Hall. His voice can also be heard on the radio as “Mikey on the Mic,” spinning the sounds with his friend and fellow DJ Frankie Day from 97.5 and 770 KFB.
Lindsay Fitzpatrick has been seen across Pittsburgh and inter-national stages for the past 10 years. She has worked at various theme parks, for traveling cruise lines, and for various regional shows across the country. Lindsay performs locally with the Latshaw Pops Orchestra and has been a part of the Pittsburgh wedding band industry as well. She is so grateful to have the opportunity to do something she loves and entertain audiences at the same time. Lindsay also owns a business that specializes in princess entertainment as well as photography services for the Pittsburgh area. When she is not singing or working, Lindsay loves spending her free time with her family and bulldogs.
BAND MEMBERS
Nick Scanga Nick has been performing for over 35 years. Credits include The Night Owl Band, who had a local hit, “Lay That Rhythm Down,” and who opened concerts for Blood Sweat & Tears, South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Gil Scott Heron and Johnny Guitar Watson. He has also performed and co-written songs with Chuck Corby and wrote several with Night Owl.
Nick is well versed in nearly all musical styles and over the years has worked with artists ranging from The Four Coins, Dancing Queen, John Parker, The South Hills Chorale, 3rd Street Jazz Ensemble, Don Aliquo, Jerry Lucarelli, Black Rock County, the Holidays, the Dubs, the Townsmen to projects covering most every musical style from cool jazz to the ripping guitar of Carlos Santana. He was a key member of Stillwater, the previously mentioned Night Owl Band and for many years with Freeze, one of the area's top entertainment acts. He often performs as a solo artist, as a duo, or with On the Level in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.
Charles Harris, better known as Chas, started playing drums at a young age, basically self taught. He played in his high school's marching band for two years. He also played with his music teachers in various night clubs in South Carolina. He has always loved playing the drums and recently started building drum kits.
Chas comes from a family of singers, one being his sister Gwen Davis who is also a member of The Gemtones, He played with several bands in South Carolina and in Pittsburgh. playing every genre of music including gospel music for his church.
In 2009 Chas joined the variety band Protege'. As of February 2022 he is the newest member of The Gemtones. Chas has also shared a stage with Shirley Caesar, Jackie Evancho, The Temptations and the Supremes. His ultimate goal is to make the audience feel the beat.
Bob Vallecorsa Bob grew up in a musical family of singers & guitarists, and decided the family could use some variety, so he decided to learn to play the keys and never looked back. Throughout his musical career he has had the honor to share the stage with some of the finest musical talent around. Bobby is glad to say that the tradition continued when he was invited to be the keyboardist for The Fabulous Gemtones.