Bob is the grandson of a West Virginia coal miner; Tom is the grandson of an entrepreneur who sold luggage near Ellis Island to immigrants returning to Europe. Their fathers settled in the midwest (Detroit and Chicago respectively) in search of the American Dream. They grew up on the sounds of the 1960's and 1970's in these rich, urban regions - everything from rock to blues to folk to gospel and then some.

Along the way Bob found he had a knack for writing songs with depth against music that was a remarkable blend of his influences without copying any one of the in particular. He learned music theory and taught himself piano, blues harp, guitar, and computer-based music.

Tom discovered that he had a love for all kinds of string instruments - perhaps due to his grandpa playing violin for him in the basement (and letting him have his first swig of beer there). Tom moved from bass to acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, autoharp, and dobro. He also was a natural at hand percussion.

When the two met one fateful Sunday morning, it was like discovering a brother you never knew existed. They started on a course back in 1998 that has led to one of the most entertaining and yet thoughtful bands in the area. They have gone through many names over the years (anyone remember Razer, Shock Monkeys, Overboard, Bovine Disaster?). Finally Tom suggested they call it the Bob Young Band since Bob wrote and sang all the songs; Bob reluctantly agreed.

If you dig Marc Broussard's cajun soul, Marc Cohn's bluesy Americana, and John Mellencamp's heartland rock... well, you'll LOVE Bob Young Band. These days BYB is assisted on occasion by a number of wonderful musicians, including:

Keith Schooley: Bass, Vocals
Brad Parrish: Bass, Vocals
Mark Krumins: Drums, Vocals

BYB is grateful for all of its alumni, including:

Steve Kunkel: lead guitar
Mike Mitton: bass, sax
Tyler Mattiello: bass
Greg Ryan: drums
Tom Mathew: bass
Dave Maikowski: lead guitar
Andy Dempster: rhythm guitar, vocals
Rick Stanley: lead guitar