Meet The Band
Todd Meredith
Todd Meredith was born in Buffalo, NY and now lives in New Jersey. Not long after he graduated from Siena College, Todd took on the role of Buddy Holly in the jukebox musical entitled BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at a small theater in Gloversville, NY and fell in love with the legendary rock and roller’s music and story. For over a decade, he has now starred as Buddy in 19 productions of the musical across the country, including two national tours. Perhaps his favorite was performing with his fellow band members in Reno, Nevada at the El Dorado Casino Showroom. His love for Buddy Holly and the Crickets sparked the decision to form a band and keep alive the popular music of the 1950s and 60s.
In addition to donning the horn rimmed glasses, Todd has also starred in regional productions of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (Carl Perkins/Johnny Cash), RING OF FIRE, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, and YEAH, YEAH, YEAH: A CONCERT CELEBRATION, for which he learned over 100 Beatles songs.
He has released two Buddy Holly tribute albums. The most recent, ROCK, RHYTHM, and BLUES, was released in 2011 and includes 15 of Todd’s favorite Buddy Holly tunes which he kept very true to the originals. You can learn more about Todd or purchase this album at www.toddmeredith.com.
Jeremy Renner
An accomplished guitar player since the age of 16, Jeremy began playing with The Rave-Ons in Reno, NV, where he played Tommy Allsup in the Jersey Shore Entertainment production of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. He has since understudied the title role at the New Theater in Kansas and has played both Nikki Sullivan/ Tommy Allsup on the 2013 National Tour and at The Riverside Center in Fredericksburg, VA. Jeremy hails from New Jersey where he writes his own original music and tours the local circuit as a solo acoustic performer and with his own group, The Jeremy Renner Band.
Jacob Callis
A graduate of Rutgers University, Jacob has worked as a recording and touring bassist for many years. Jacob has also been a member of The Jeremy Renner Band for the past ten years. Though he's a fan of early jazz, citing Ron Carter, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus as some of his biggest upright bass playing heroes, Jacob has plenty of rock in his soul and can't deny the influence of rock and roll greats like James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and Carol Kaye.
Most recently, Jacob has been able to indulge his love of early rock and roll on stage, playing Jay Perkins in the Surflight Theater's production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET. In addition to his stage work, Jacob has enjoyed appearing on screen as well. Recent apperances include HBO's VINYL, USA's MR. ROBOT, and the upcoming Steven Spielburg film, THE PAPERS. Jacob is excited to be the newest member of The Rave-Ons and strives for the same goal with every performance--give the people what they want!!!
Matt Watson
A graduate of Arizona State University, Matt resides in Brooklyn, NY as a freelance musician/percussionist. Born and raised in Arizona, he has been playing percussion for over seventeen years. His performing background ranges from participating in drum corps, percussion ensembles, and symphony/pit orchestras to playing in cover bands, jazz combos, and show bands. National Tour credits include: ALADDIN (2018), A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL (2015), MEMPHIS, THE MUSICAL (2015), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (2013), and ALL SHOOK UP (2011). In addition to touring, Matt has completed four contracts with Princess Cruise Lines as a show band drummer and emergency fill in. For more information and media content, please visit www.mattwatsondrums.com.
Bill Morey
Bill is a founding member of The Rave-Ons and still acts as the west coast bassist after moving to Mesa, AZ where he performs regularly with Showtune Productions
Having started music at an early age, Bill has been working as a musician since he was 15. In addition to playing upright bass, he also plays the trombone.
Most recently, Bill has been touring all over the country with the Broadway hit musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, as Jay Perkins. He also performed in two touring productions of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY as well as the most recent national tour of SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE.
In addition to The Rave-Ons, Bill has had the pleasure of playing bass for Eddie Clandening & The Blue Ribbon Boys, The Bobby Volkman Trio, Brian McVernon & The Blackouts, & The Buzzards. For more info, please check out www.billmoreybass.com.
Mike Lucchetti
Mike Lucchetti hails from the Poconos in Pennsylvania and has been playing drums professionally for over 15 years. He will be filling in on drums for Matt while he is on tour with Aladdin. Favorite show credits include drums and percussion for MISS SAIGON, ROCK OF AGES, SINGING IN THE RAIN, CHICAGO, BONNIE AND CLYDE, ALL SHOOK UP, SPRING AWAKENING, RENT, and the national tour of SWEET CHARITY. He was a featured actor in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY portraying Jerry Allison and in multiple productions of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET as W.S. "Fluke" Holland. Mike has also done multiple national tours with multiple bands on the Vans Warped Tour from 2004-2010.