Rhode Island native Dave Howard has been a stalwart of the New England music scene since the mid-1970s. His gritty, soulful voice was first featured with the band Old No.7, a band that covered everything from folk to rock to country music. Howard eventually teamed up with fellow Rhode Islander Neal Vitullo, and together they formed the popular local Rhythm and Blues band Neal & the Vipers playing the New England nightclub and festival circuit as well as releasing several albums.
Dave eventually formed his own roots-rock/blues band in 1989, Dave Howard and The High Rollers with guitarist Tom Ferraro, bassist Rod Carey, and drummer Mike LaBelle. The High Rollers recorded three albums and were a very popular and successful band on the New England Rhythm and Blues circuit playing many festivals and nightclubs for approximately fifteen years.
In 2006 Dave was tapped by Chris Vachon to be the vocalist for Roomful of Blues. A longtime fan of the band, Dave was both honored and excited to work with this legendary band. With Roomful Dave was featured on the album “Raisin’ A Ruckus,” and after four years of touring the world, he departed in 2010 in order to reunite with his former band Neal and the Vipers. In the interim, Dave also recorded and released his own solo album of original roots oriented country music entitled, “I Tried To Tell You.”
Today, while Dave still performs regularly with Neal and the Vipers, he can also be found freelancing with Vintage Rhythm and Blues Ensemble, The Ocean Mystics, Mark Small, and now with his new side-project, The Dave Howard Band!
Dave Howard – Vocals and Harmonica
Tom Ferraro – Guitar
Paul Bouley – Keys and Vocals
Marty Ballou – Bass
Tom Petteruti -Drums
