Julie Stewart and the Motor Kings: Artist Bio
Julie Stewart - Lead Vocals
Julie was born and raised in Texas, and like most good Texas girls, started singing in church at a very young age. Being from a musical and artistic family, she performed in musicals and plays throughout her childhood. The day her older brother brought home the first Beatles album, she was hooked, developing a deep love for Rock and Roll strongly influenced by artists such as Janis Joplin, Led Zepplin and The Rolling Stones. An early appreciation for the Blues led her to study the music of Etta James, Muddy Waters and the like.
At the age of 20, she began singing professionally with her first band, Black Diamond. The band opened for such artists as The Turtles, Gatemouth Brown, and Buster Poindexter; and she has shared the stage with Delbert McClinton. Julie has recorded with RCA records in New York for an original project, as well as a song for a top New York talk show, and lending her vocal talents on numerous other endeavors. Julie sings with pure soul and power .She captivates audiences everywhere the MotorKings play with a voice that hits the audience like a hurricane. That’s right. She blows them away. Just ask anyone that’s seen her.....
Tom Briggs - Drums
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Tom began taking lessons and playing drums at the age of five. He performed his first semi-professional gig in Dayton, Ohio in 1962 at the age of twelve. Since 1964, Tom has played Blues, and Rhythm & Blues in regionally successful bands in his home state of Ohio. He has toured and worked as a session player on many recording projects. Over the years, Tom has shared the stage with a long list of national and internationally recognized musicians including Coco Taylor, Robert Cray, Son Seals, Cary & Lorrie Bell, James Cotton, Lonnie Mack, John Mayall and a host of others. One of his most memorable performances was playing drums for a set with the legendary Muddy Waters. Tom’s drumming is a combination of great feel, and emotional power, which can’t be taught in school. He is truly one of the greats in the Blues idiom!
Rob Heineman - Bass, Vocals
Originally from the Midwest, Rob has toured as lead vocalist and keyboardist for TranZZit, a 70’s Rock act, and also as a guitarist for The King of the Road Show, an Elvis Impersonation Act. New Mexico credits include New Wavos, Fat Guys With Money, Los Amigos, and various iterations of the Ramon Bermudez Group. He has recently played with Richard Johnston, and has opened for The J. Giels Band, Bob Seger and Mitch Ryder. In addition to the bass, he also finds his way around keyboards, guitars and brass instruments from time to time. He is an accomplished vocalist, and has played professionally for the past thirty-plus years. His tenacious bass ability gives The MotorKings the bottom end punch that compels people to the dance floor.
Tiho Dimitrov - Lead Guitar, Rhythm, & Vocals
In true Motor King fashion, Tiho has traveled the furthest to eventually land in his new home town of Santa Fe, NM. Born in the small town of Veliki Preslav, Bulgaria, Tiho and family immigrated to the United States in 1998. Tiho began his journey in the realm of music at the age of twelve, attending classical guitar classes for several years in his home country. He soon discovered electric guitar and developed a passion for Blues and Rock Music. He purchased his first electric guitar, which was a Bulgarian brand {Kremona}, from a gypsy on the street.
Tiho adds a dramatic dimension to the Motor Kings music through his extremely powerful lead and rhythm guitar work. His primary influences are Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray, John Lee Hooker, BB King, Albert Collins, and Buddy Guy. "Coco Montoya" recently compared Tiho's guitar work to a modern day Eric Clapton.
Despite being influenced by the many guitar legends mentioned above, Tiho has developed a dynamic guitar style that is distinctly his own! His dedication, exceptional feel and outstanding performance make Tiho a valued and welcome addition to the mighty Motor Kings!
Gregg Woodfin - Hammond B3, Vocals
Originally from Los Angeles California, Gregg has been playing in bands since he was 12 years old. He started out on tenor sax but moved to keyboards at age fifteen. He found his true love a few years later while playing in a local bar that had a Hammond B3 on stage; and he has been one with the instrument ever since. There are many synthesized “clones” out there these days, but nothing plays like a Hammond. “Anyone can own one but there just aren’t many of us dinosaurs left that know what to do with it!” He has toured the U.S. and Canada playing and recording Rock, Funk, Jazz, and Blues. With the MotorKings, Gregg has a great platform for the Mighty B3 and his preference is exactly what the MotorKings are all about - high energy Rockin’ Blues in a funky vein. Gregg is one of the truly great B3 Players on the planet!