A Rock N Roll Blues Band
In the summer of 2012, founding member Jonathan Gailey (vocals, slide guitar, & harmonica) hatched an idea for a project that would become Five Long Years. Upon creating a solid foundation of original songs and new approaches to classic songs, it was time to find additional members for the band. In June of 2013, Howard Rasey was added on drums, and just a couple of weeks later in July, Russ Thomas was added on bass. The lineup for Five Long Years was complete and forged ahead with one simple goal; to make good music, have fun doing it, and perform live.
Jonathan Gailey (vocals, slide guitar, & harmonica)
Born into a musical family, it’s no surprise that music has been a driving force for Jonathan. His father is an opera singer, his mother plays the flute, and his grandmother is quite the singer as well. Jonathan began singing at a young age, started playing guitar at the age of 18, in part to impress a girl, and hasn’t stopped playing since. As far back as he can remember he has always been drawn to the blues; returning to them time and time again, no matter the musical trend. After a decade away from songwriting, Jonathan began writing again in 2012 and is the principle songwriter for the band. Some of his musical influences include: Muddy Waters, Freddie King, B.B. King, Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, and Ryan Bingham.
Howard Rasey (drums & percussion)
Following a long musical hiatus, Howard returned to his favorite instrument: the drum set. Believing in the importance of laying down a foundational groove for other band members to work against, it's not surprising that Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts and Doug Clifford are among his favorite drummers. With musical tastes that span multiple genres, Howard particularly enjoys the bands of the British Invasion, Chicago, Delta and Jump Blues (Check out Saturday Night Fish Fry), and Southern Rock.
Russ Thomas ( bass and vocals)
Having moved to the US from England at the ripe young age of nine, Russ was immediately taken with the musical transformation which started with the arrival of the Beatles in 1964 and continued for years after. He quickly became totally immersed in all aspects of the rock world and first became a band member at the age of 12 as one of several guitar hopefuls, converting to bass a short time after. He went on to perform and record with a series of bands in the upstate New York area for the next 12 years but still had lots of time to see, hear and feel all of the incredible music artists and events of the era, including the many memorable performances at Woodstock in 1969.
Convinced that a fruitful job was ultimately necessary, Russ pretty much gave up bass playing and the band life to focus on school and his career, spending time playing the guitar at Home with Family and friends. Then one day in 2010, after a thirty- plus year hiatus, he was urged by a friend to audition for a band’s vacancy on bass. Since that day, he has never looked back and looks forward to every opportunity to play and perform the diverse blend of rock played by Five Long Years, including electric and acoustic Blues, Folk, Southern Rock, and Americana.
Jonathan Gailey (vocals, slide guitar, & harmonica)
Born into a musical family, it’s no surprise that music has been a driving force for Jonathan. His father is an opera singer, his mother plays the flute, and his grandmother is quite the singer as well. Jonathan began singing at a young age, started playing guitar at the age of 18, in part to impress a girl, and hasn’t stopped playing since. As far back as he can remember he has always been drawn to the blues; returning to them time and time again, no matter the musical trend. After a decade away from songwriting, Jonathan began writing again in 2012 and is the principle songwriter for the band. Some of his musical influences include: Muddy Waters, Freddie King, B.B. King, Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, and Ryan Bingham.
Howard Rasey (drums & percussion)
Following a long musical hiatus, Howard returned to his favorite instrument: the drum set. Believing in the importance of laying down a foundational groove for other band members to work against, it's not surprising that Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts and Doug Clifford are among his favorite drummers. With musical tastes that span multiple genres, Howard particularly enjoys the bands of the British Invasion, Chicago, Delta and Jump Blues (Check out Saturday Night Fish Fry), and Southern Rock.
Russ Thomas ( bass and vocals)
Having moved to the US from England at the ripe young age of nine, Russ was immediately taken with the musical transformation which started with the arrival of the Beatles in 1964 and continued for years after. He quickly became totally immersed in all aspects of the rock world and first became a band member at the age of 12 as one of several guitar hopefuls, converting to bass a short time after. He went on to perform and record with a series of bands in the upstate New York area for the next 12 years but still had lots of time to see, hear and feel all of the incredible music artists and events of the era, including the many memorable performances at Woodstock in 1969.
Convinced that a fruitful job was ultimately necessary, Russ pretty much gave up bass playing and the band life to focus on school and his career, spending time playing the guitar at Home with Family and friends. Then one day in 2010, after a thirty- plus year hiatus, he was urged by a friend to audition for a band’s vacancy on bass. Since that day, he has never looked back and looks forward to every opportunity to play and perform the diverse blend of rock played by Five Long Years, including electric and acoustic Blues, Folk, Southern Rock, and Americana.