Tweed Funk

Featuring the late Joseph "Smokey" Holman. Formed in late 2010, Tweed Funk has been an integral part of the “soul-revival” movement with their own style of Memphis flavored soul, roots, and blues. This Milwaukee, Wisconsin soul-blues revue is fronted by Joseph "Smokey" Holman, who recorded under Curtis Mayfield in the early 70's. Tweed Funk boasts 6 Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Wins since 2012 for the band and its members. In April of 2016 the band released their fourth CD, “Come Together”, consisting of 10 new original tunes. Tweed Funk toured the Midwest and east coast of the United States in support of their new album. "Come Together" won a Blues 411 Jimi Award for R&B/Soul Release for 2016 and was a Finalist for The Blues Foundation's Best Self Produced CD Award. In March of 2016 front man, Joseph "Smokey" Holman, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The band took a 7 month hiatus in the latter part of 2016 while Smokey underwent a successful stem cell transplant. Following his treatment the band returned to the stage in early 2017 touring the east coast and midwest. Frontman Joseph "Smokey" Holman passed away on October 29, 2017. Smokey kept the music going right up till the end donating his time and playing a benefit 3 weeks before his death and performing at the Garvin Gate Blues Festival in Louisville 2 weeks before his passing. In September of 2016 American Blues Scene Magazine named Tweed Funk as one of 14 ‘New Old Soul’ Acts You Need To Hear Right Now. The article features soul stalwarts Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Leon Bridges, John Nemeth, Vintage Trouble, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and more. Tweed Funk’s fourth CD, “Come Together”, performed well on the blues charts and received airplay and reviews from around the world. Additionally, the CD crossed-over to non-commercial formats outside of blues radio. “Come Together” reached #11 on the Roots Music Report (RMR) Top 50 Blues Album Chart and #1 on the RMR Soul-Blues Chart; reached #19 on the Living Blues Chart; featured as Dan Aykroyd’s (aka Elwood Blues) “blues-breaker” on the internationally syndicated radio program The Bluesmobile.com; airplay on BB King’s Bluesville on SiriusXM; and Joseph “Smokey” Holman was nominated for a 2016 Living Blues Award for Most Outstanding Blues Singer. Tweed Funk won the WAMI for R&B/Soul Artist of the Year in 2017, 2015, and 2012. In 2015, Andrew Spadafora took home the WAMI Award for Brass/Reeds Player of the Year; in 2013 frontman Smokey took home the WAMI for Male Vocalist of the Year and Bassist Eric Madunic for Bass Player of the Year. The song "Dancemaker" won Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine's Coolest Blues Song of the Year for 2013. Tweed Funk has appeared at some of the top festivals and blues rooms in the Midwest, South, and Northeast including: Bayfront Blues Festival, BBQ in DC, Blues at The Crossroads Festival, Byron Crossroads Blues Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Kalamazoo Blues Festival, Marquette Area Blues Festival, Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Northwoods Blues Festival, Paramount Blues Festival, Prairie Dog Blues Festival, Sioux Falls Jazz Fest, Smokin’ in Steele Fest, Waukesha Bluesfest, Buddy Guy’s Legends, Time Out Pub, Madam’s Organ, Slippery Noodle Inn, House of Blues – Chicago, Jazz in the Park, Summerfest, and many more. Tweed Funk has taken their show on the road playing in 21 different states throughout the USA. Fronted by Smokey's sweet, soulful vocals, audiences can quickly hear how Smokey was a pick to hit the Billboard Soul Top 20 back in the 70’s on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Records with the band Love’s Children. Eric Madunic's passion for Memphis-style soul in the tradition of Donald "Duck" Dunn can be heard in his bass playing and songwriting. Eric also played the organ, keys, guitar, and arranged the backing vocals for Tweed Funk's latest CD. Dave Schoepke, a veteran drummer of the Milwaukee music scene who has recorded and toured with Willy Porter, toured Europe with Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers, anchors the rhythm section. Dave is a 2009 WAMI Award Winning drummer and was a significant part of the songwriting process and new direction on Tweed Funk's latest album. Andrew Spadafora doubles up on saxophone and keys. Andrew's saxophone work on Tweed Funk's latest album earned him praise from some of the top blues publications around the world and he has taken home 2 Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards for Brass/Reeds Player of the Year (2015 & 2008).

Milwaukee, WI