The Old Habits Band was founded 2 yrs ago,by two brothers (Victor and Stan Bryant) They decided after years of playing and touring with other artists and groups, to put together a band. Numerous auditions and the “weeding out” process brought forth drummer, bobby Coleman. Ironically, Stan and bobby had played in the same band in the early 70’s – Stan went west to California and bobby went to Nashville. They were reunited after 30 plus yrs. “what a team” said guitarist Stan Bryant, the best drummer ever.
Shad Harvey was then recruited as front man, singer, and acoustic guitarist. The Bryant brothers knew after his first standing ovation for his southern soulful rendition of “trilogy” that shad was the “man” for The Old Habits Band.
It takes a very aggressive bass player to mesh with the bobby Coleman “powerhouse of percussion”, so b.j. jones was selected.Although bj hails from New York, his love of the southern rock and delta blues is obvious. He sings songs from “rose colored glasses” to “play that funky music white boy”.
Stan and victor, being brothers, naturally have that musical bond that two lead instruments need. Victor plays the “blue Emmons steel” in the style of Ralph mooney and john hughey. Stan bends and blends the telecaster into whatever musical form that’s needed to produce a “greasy retro blues sound” to the latest “ hybrid licks”, dressed by occasional van halen tap on’s. truly a guitarist with endless licks!
"The old habits band" carry 2 silver eagle buses, at least 6 hrs of arranged music, with some originals. They can dress t-shirts to tuxes.The band also carry 2 road crew (josh craft and james hayes). They also have t-shirts and cd’s for sale.
The are five men who have paid their dues. They are talented, ambitious, energetic, locked and loaded, and the world is their target. Try them, you are sure to "LOVE" The Old Habits Band.
SHAD HARVEY vocals and acoustic Shad starting playing music when he was only 10. as many others before him, he first started out in his local church and on his grandfather's front porch. he worked hard through out his teenage years to improve his talents. his hardwork has lead him to be able to perform with such artists as jeff bates, james o'quin, wayne gary, hard 2 handle, stevie sanford band, and several other local bands. throught out his career, he has played all over the southern states from florida to texas.
stanley bryant vocals and lead guitar
stan started playing at the age of 12. when he reached high school, he was in a 5 piece band with some of his classmates. after school, stan joined the air force where he learned alot from comrad from oregon. after he was discharged, he went to new york and then to nashville. he moved around wherever the music scene took. throughout the years, stan has played with well know artists such as charlie rich, red sovine, wilburn brothers, albert youngeagle, billy thundercloud, david frizell, and countless others. stan has all across the united states at places such as opryland and other night clubs in nashville, mgm grand in reno, caravan east in albuquerque, palimino club in hollywood just to name a few. he also did a uso tour in 1991. stan credits his success to the help from his parents and most of all his spiritual belief in the "holy trinity".
victor bryant steel guitar victor started playing when he was 17. his brother was on the road playing and he also had cousins that played. vic joined up with his cousins and they played in al, ms, and la. he changed bands several times before joining with christy rose where he stayed for 12 yrs. during this time, the band was the opening act for headliners such as gene watson, charlie pride, lorie morgan, and aprox. 18 others. they played at the opryland hotel, ernest tubb record shop, texas club, top deck, caravan club, and many more across the united states. vic has also ran sound for leann rimes, gene watson, and others. vic says the he has finally joined the band that he has been wanting for many years.
bobby coleman drums bobby started playing when he was 14. he would get in trouble at school for drumming with his hands and pencils. the teachers would send notes home saying that he was driving them crazy and to buy him some drums. he got his first set at age 14. his family thought he had lost his mind and one brother told him it takes years to learn to play. he told them to give him 5 min. to show them his god given talent. eyes got big, mouths dropped open, and his mom and grandma began to cry. he was on his way. bobby was playing niteclubs by age 15 in ms, al, la, and tn. he played the louisiana hayride from age 15 to 17. his talent has allowed him to back such stars as claude king, jimmy c. newman, doug kershaw, nat stuckey, etc. bobby has also done studio work with billie jo spears, jean shepherd, nat stuckey, mel tillis, t.g. shepherd, charley rich, jerry lee lewis, eddie raven, etc. he has played at the ryman, opryland, louisiana hayride, and many niteclubs through out the united states
bj jones bass and vocals
BJ BEGIN SINGING AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 9. HE began singing gospel music with his family in upstate new york. at the age of 18, he joined the us army where he performed with a great army show for over 10 years. after discharge, bj began playing with local country rock bands. he later moved to nashville where he toured with the walker sisters and lois johnson (former singing partner of hank williams jr.). bj has been the opening act for artist such as lee greenwood and others. he has played at such places as the opry land hotel, nashville palace, gillies, and many other clubs and hotels across the nation. bj now lives in south mississippi and is looking forward to playing for you!
