About
Formed with members of the renowned 'Brothers of the Road Band', Muscle Shoals carries on the storied 'Celebration of the music of The Allman Brothers Band and Friends'. With their collective experience as musicians, the members of Muscle Shoals now make up one of the premiere tributes to this historic band, performing songs of The Allman Brothers and others who they shared the stage with over their hallowed run.
Band Bios
Butch Cote
Lead Vocal
Butch hails from Dobbs Ferry, New York. He’s been jamming most recently with The Crossbones Band up until 2018. After that, he says, “I just went on auditions until I was fortunate enough to hook up with you all.” A voice from heaven, you will not be disappointed with Butch’s delivery in Muscle Shoals.
Raymond Wylock
Guitar
Ray started playing guitar at the age of 12 and attended Berklee College Of Music. He’s been performing professionally for more than 50 years, primarily in the New England area, and more recently, was a 10-year member of The Brothers Of The Road Band.
R Jude Biggers
Piano/Hammond Organ/Backing Vocals
R Jude started playing piano, organ and singing in rock bands in the 70’s. In the early 80’s, he attended the Westchester Conservatory of Music, and his NYC solo debut was performing original compositions on Bleeker Street at historic venues, The Back Fence and The Bitter End. Today, he enjoys laying down smooth Hammond Organ Grooves and sassy piano solos in homage to Gregg Allman and Chuck Leavell. He’s a member of BMI and ASCAP and is a published songwriter and co-founder of Rock2Rebuild, a non-profit event production company staging benefits to help people worldwide recover from natural disasters.
David Giardinelli-O'Connor
Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals
Dave has been the frontman and principal songwriter for indie pop band Starcode since the early 90s. During that time, he played guitar for Grateful Dead Tributes, Bigfoot County, and The CT Grateful Dead Allstars. Additionally, Dave has played bass for NYC Band Infusion and the Allman Brothers’ Tribute ‘Brothers of the Road Band.’ He has toured globally, playing at festivals and venues of all sizes. You can now catch Dave, not only with Muscle Shoals but as a solo artist performing up and down the East Coast.
Shane Visbal
Guitar/Slide Guitar
Shane came up playing in the downtown NYC music scene of the early 90’s before moving to Los Angeles where he played with King Size alongside author/singer/drummer Jason Thomas Gordon and former Tonight Show/Kevin Eubanks bassist Derrick Murdock. Later, Shane immersed himself in the Latin Alternative /Rock en Español music scene, playing guitar and cuatro for the band Bayú, recording the album “Super Mofongo Beat” in 2002. The band played extensively throughout California, NYC, and Puerto Rico, sharing bills with artists such as Ozomatli, Brian Wilson, Julieta Venegas, and Aterciopelados. Shortly after, he formed The Mercury Pills and recorded one full-length release in 2010. After moving back to NYC, he spent a few years as the guitarist for blues singer Eliza Neals, contributing to her 2015 release “Breaking and Entering” and playing on her tribute show to Motown Legend Barrett Strong at the Cutting Room in NYC alongside P-Funk drummer Gabe Gonzalez, saxophone player Tyrone Smith and guest Barry Gordy Jr. Shane also played with Paul Staunton and the Charmers recording an
Billy Mills
Drums
Billy began playing drums at the tender age of 5 years old. By the age of 15 he was playing underage in clubs throughout Westchester. Later years came up through NYC playing CBGBs where a kinship with owner Hilly Krystal allowed a residency for the band David Drew. They performed at many other historic rock venues as well. He has spent the last 30 years drumming for David Drew of MCA Records, both touring and studio drumming. Billy has recorded in world-renowned studios such as Bearsville, Dreamland, The Record Plant, Electric LadyLand, and countless others in NYC and surrounding areas. David Drew passed sadly in 2023. Around that time, Billy was invited to join the ranks of Muscle Shoals, his new family.