Sierra Band is Resurrected with
Some of Original Members

Going From a Seven Piece Band to a Quartet Offers
Audiences an Unplugged Version of the Earlier Band

JUPITER--When you take a seven piece band comprised of excellent musicians and reduce it to an acoustic version with just four members, it can be startling. But, Ed Reck, who organized the Sierra Band during the 90s, has resurrected the sound with just four musicians, most from the original group, and managed to create an effective sound, which is nearly inspirational.

The new band, Sierra Lite, is an unplugged version of the original big band that became the most popular group going for several years in this area. With the acoustic band, Sierra Lite is destined to become just as big.

“After we had a Sierra Band reunion at Waterway Cafe six months ago, I knew we had to do it again,” Rieck explained. “But, many of the original members were not able to get seriously involved, but we have three of the key members of that group back, along with fourth member, Gary Frost, who has been an institution himself for some time here. With three acoustic guitar players and a keyboardist, plus the fact that we can all sing well, we’re confident we’ll be successful again.”

When asked “Are we going to be the most popular band in South Florida again, Rieck’s response was explicit. “Yes, I really believe we could do it again even though we’re 20 years older than most other bands.” He continued, “in order for that to make sense, I have to back up to when I was performing in Boston. Two A and R guys saw an article that the music critic for the Boston Globe wrote about me. It was titled ‘Who is going to be the next Rock Star?’ I was all over radio there with an album called The Best of The Boston Beat and wound up signing a recording contract with a record company that ultimately kept 95% of the money. My band quit and I moved to Florida and started the Sierra Band. Within a year, O’Brien’s was mobbed and I realized how much people love classic rock, especially Eagle, The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Crosby, Stills and Nash. We were singing very difficult harmony and did it well. We actually became the hottest sound around. So, now we’ve evolved to Sierra Lite, and from the response we had when we had our first gig at Sugar Cane Island Bistro a month ago, I’m convinced that we can do it again.”

The song list Sierra Lite does is great, but the key factor is that all of the personnel harmonize brilliantly. With the acoustic guitar sound and the stirring harmony the audience is immediately mesmerized by this sound, which at first seems new and very different. Listen for awhile and it will all come back to you. It’s simply; a mini version of the original group. When one hears Sierra Lite sing the Crosby, Stills and Nash hit “Blue Eyes a capella, it all comes home.

Besides Rieck, who plays rhythm guitar, Tommy Winch does lead guitar, Frost is on bass and David Snetsinger is on keyboard. Rieck, Winch and Snetsinger are original members of the earlier Sierra Band, which was the house band for many years at the former Christine’s in Jupiter.

Rieck has great praise for all the members of the band, but he singled out the newest member, Gary Frost, with a highly complimentary endorsement. “Gary has this amazing gift for singing high vocal harmonies and his voice blends perfectly with Tommy’s and mine” He also praised Snetsinger. “He wanted to play, but I told him there wasn’t enough money. He said ‘I don’t care, I love the music and want to be a part of it.’ With dedication and determination like that, how can you go wrong? Snets is great and does a splendid job on the keyboard, as always.”

Rieck has been involved in music for many years, both in the northeast and Flroida. Does he have any regrets about not becoming the next great rock star and performing before 10,000 people on a regular basis? No, in fact he says, “since coming to Florida and being successful with the Sierra Band I’ve had a spiritual awakening. Life is somehow better than the days of the big time since I realized I needed to give back. Connecting one on one with people in a club or a church is really powerful. I’ve learned to cherish every day that at 50 I can still do this and, maybe, just maybe, give people inspiration.”

It is no secret, Sierra Lite is doing some very challenging tunes now and the guys are pumped up working on arrangements that most everybody loves. You can hear this band Wednesday nights at Sugar Cane Island Bistro, perhaps elsewhere, as the band increases its influence on the entertainment scene here.

Sierra Lite performs at Sugar Cane
Island Bistro.

Tommy Winch get into a song.

Ed Rieck eases into a vocal.

Sierra Lite in full harmony.