Band Biographies

Frank Abbadessa
Having an accomplished violinist and conductor as a father undoubtedly influenced Frank to pursue music at the University of Illinois, where he received instruction from jazz pianist and music instructor Bill French, and to study music theory in California. When he was learning piano, he loved it when his father would come up behind him playing the violin.

Frank includes the Grateful Dead, The Beatles, the Allman Brothers, Chicago, Three Dog Night, The Who and Cream among those bands that sparked his love of music. With his keys, Frank can get almost any sound and put it in the right place.

Bob Evraets
A product of the New York City music scene, Bob would describe his playing style as a mix of aggressive blues, rock and funk. After being brought up on the likes of Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page, he spent several years playing lead guitar for the Mankind Show and gaining lots of experience with funk music. Several popular bands and countless smoky clubs and large venues later, Bob helped form what is now Forty Grand.  

Keith Greene
Keith started playing and singing when he was 14, and counts the Rolling Stones, the James Gang, the Grass Roots, the Beatles and Jefferson Airplane among the bands that most influenced him.

Keith immediately knew upon meeting the band that this was exactly where he wanted to play. He is the backbone of the band and loves being the fusion between drums and the other instruments.

Kurt Huchison
Coming soon...

Steve Ward
Originally from the Philadelphia area, Steve started playing guitar and singing in his teens. Musicality runs in his family, as his two brothers were members of his first band and occasionally join Forty Grand today. Steve was inspired by rock icons including Tom Petty, Rush and Van Halen. Steve likes to periodically join his audiences and dance with them while playing a song.

Eliese Weaver
Eliese's musical roots were planted at a very early age when she sang gospel at her church. She credits such greats as Aretha Franklin, Rick James and Earth, Wind & Fire with influencing her career. She has received numerous awards throughout the area for her karaoke singing. Eliese loves singing with the band and looks forward to continuing to grow together as performers and as a musical family.