Genre Swing music | Years active 1989—present Website luckystrikes.com Record label Sony Music | |
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Labels Sony, Lazy SOB, Big Ticket Past members Sebastian Santa MariaMichael Henderson Albums Twelve Past Midnight, Gabriel, Forgive My 22 Sins Similar Neil McSweeney, Emily Portman, Simone Felice, Doug Morris, Royal Crown Revue Profiles | ||
The lucky strikes new avalon
The Lucky Strikes are a contemporary swing band which achieved mainstream success during the late 1990s swing revival movement. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist/vocalist Craig Marshall (Delta Rays/Craig Marshall Band) with friends Milan Moorman (trumpet), Brian Copeland (bassist) and Freddie Mendoza (trombone).
Contents
- The lucky strikes new avalon
- The lucky strikes horror party
- Formation
- Band members follow up careers
- Tours
- Albums
- Singles
- Songs
- References
The lucky strikes horror party
Formation
The group, whose style was based upon the sounds of swing, jazz lounge and big band, formed in 1989 in Austin, Texas.
Singer Craig Marshall was an avid fan of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin Nat King Cole and Harry Connick, Jr. Freddie Mendoza, a native of San Antonio, Texas, previously toured and performed with a long list of artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry, Frank Foster, Bill Watrous, Rob McConnell, Bob Mintzer and Harry Connick, Jr.
During the late 1990s swing revival movement, the Lucky Strikes toured and performed at premiere events in Hollywood, California, celebrating the release of the 1996 comedy-drama film Swingers, which was written by Jon Favreau and directed by Doug Liman. The movie starred Favreau with Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston and Heather Graham.
In early 1998, the Lucky Strikes visited Canada and New Zealand which included several consecutive sold out shows. The Lucky Strikes continue to tour the United States, New Zealand, Canada and Europe, depending on the availability of singer Craig Marshall, who is also active with his group the Craig Marshall Band.
In 2000, the Lucky Strikes appeared in the motion picture Just Sue Me, an American romantic comedy starring Tom Arnold and William McNamara. The film was directed by John Sheppird.
The Lucky Strikes have toured and performed with artists such as Rod Stewart, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Band members' follow-up careers
The Lucky Strikes continue to tour and record new material as a popular North American swing-revival band. Singer Craig Marshall has been involved with a solo project in which he is working with members of various groups and his own band, the Craig Marshall Band.
In an effort to preserve the music and heritage, Marshall worked closely with elderly expert Dr. Bob Dibrell to develop the Moon River Music Therapy program, aimed to uplift spirits and improve the lives of residents and patients at convalescent homes, hospices, Alzheimers units, adult daycare, nursing homes and assisted living and independent living facilities.
Tours
Albums
Singles
Issued on Big Ticket Records
Telephone Distribution
Songs
Swing Let's SwingSong and Dance · 1998
You Made This House a HomeTwelve Past Midnight · 1996
Easy to LoveA Perfect Evening · 2001