About
Muscle Shoals is a premier Hudson Valley tribute to The Allman Brothers Band, delivering a high-energy, improvisational live experience rooted in the band’s legendary sound.Formed by members of the Brothers of the Road Band, Muscle Shoals recreates the power and spontaneity of an Allman Brothers concert—extended jams, dual guitar interplay, and crowd-driven performances that keep audiences engaged all night.With a growing regional following, the band consistently draws dedicated classic rock fans and brings a proven, energetic crowd to every show.
Band Bios
Mike Iwanos
Lead Vocal
Mike started playing guitar in working bands at the age of 15. Sang and played guitar for a number of cover bands as well as playing solo acoustic guitar gigs in the Albany NY area throughout the 1980’sFounded “Prey for Rain” and was the singer, guitarist and songwriter for the band releasing 3 records on a South Carolina independent record label. Sang and played guitar for the regionally popular blues band “The Bottom Feeders “ in the early 2000”s as well as opening a popular music venue and restaurant in downtown Albany called Savannah’s. Was lead singer and guitarist for a local Allman Brothers cover band “Midnight Rider “ with members of Super 400. Lead singer and guitarist for the “Clubhouse Monkeys “ most recently.
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.
Rich Pagano
Piano/Hammond Organ/Backing Vocals
Since the age of 14, Rich has played in many Capital Area bands. He currently fills in when needed with The Bluz House Rockers, Doc Orloff's Blues Elixer, Mike McMann & The Underdawgz, and The Eric Reynolds Band. Rich is a current member with The Big Idea, Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys (The Eddies 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Award Winner Country/Bluegrass Artist of the Year) in addition to Muscle Shoals.Rich has performed with Molly Hatchet, Lowel George of Little Feat and members of Blood, Sweat and Tears. He has also opened for many national acts including Pat Benatar, Talking Heads, Roberta Flack, Wet Willie, Roy Buchanan, Richie Havens, Vonda Shepard, Grinder Switch, and Dobie Gray.
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.
Sharon Asher
Drums
Sharon started playing drums at age 14 and spent his early years performing with bands in live events, including local pop and rock festivals. Relationships developed while playing with multiple musicians and producers led also to studio session recording work. Those versatile experiences made Sharon a drummer comfortable across multiple genres such as rock, jazz, and world music, and his ever growing interest in adapting to eclectic rhythmic styles.
Though Sharon’s favorite drum set traveled with him across continents and was always set up for play, Sharon’s following life chapters focused mainly on other business, until a couple of years ago Sharon picked up the pace once again and resumed steady playing, joining Muscle Shoals in 2025.