David Newland – 2024 Lead Singer – Acoustic & Electric Guitars/Percussion

He’s A Mystery (◇)

Cezaar Wade – Lead Guitar/Backing) from Jackson, MI (Joined 2/14/2020)  Mr. Wade, his grade school students call him, has been playing guitar since Jr. High School.  His earliest memories of being musical go back to 5^th grade, but mostly about getting out of other classes rather than pursuing some innate love for violin music.  Like most kids, Cezaar didn’t immediately love the violin.  But over time (a semester) he learned to appreciate just how expressive the violin is and realized the beauty of melodies.  The first time Cezaar saw an electric guitar being played was in the living room of his childhood home after school.  Mom had a friend over that day and THAT changed everything.  CW quickly caught on and was astonished that with no coaching he could figure out how to play several Ted Nugent songs.  He in the months to come he’d figure out the guitar parts of all his favorite songs.  As with any serious musician playing for 40+ years in Michigan, Cezaar has always been aware of Bob Seger’s music.  It was only when he started digging deep and detailing Lookin’ Back song choices he realized Bob’s songwriting genius.  We’re glad (you will be too) he agreed to a long-term commitment to LB (& Allentown) during the 2020 pandemic.  Cezaar Wade made his Lookin’ Back debut performance on LABOR  DAY Weekend in Celina, OH 2020 with a mask on. ;’-)

Jim Molnar – (Piano / Backing Vocals)  from Farmington Hills, MI Joined 1/30/2011. Since then he’s been off and on….. AND THIS YEAR HE’S BACK ON AGAIN in 2024!  He’s played piano since the tender age of 6.  After winning every youth talent show his parents entered him in, the writing was on the wall.  Jim would grow up playing in several successful area cover bands for his entire life, naturally.  Jim said what hooked him to music in his earliest days was the applause.   People like what he loves to do.  Since joining Lookin’ Back he does get his regular applause fix….and sometimes in megadoses.  We continue to monitor him.

Sebastian Bachmeier Saxophones, Flute, & Percussionist 2/2022  Sebastian is not just a player, not a brave stranger in circles, but he’s a composer and arranger from Windsor, Ontario. Best known in his local music scene for his work with the Coffee House Combo, and variety dance band Stiletto Fire. Sebastian officially joined Lookin’ Back (and our Billy Joel tribute show Allentown) plays saxophones, flute, and several auxiliary percussion instruments for both projects.

Some of his past credits include Arts Collective Theatre’s 2018 production of Dreamgirls, and the University Players’ 2018 production of A Streetcar Named Desire. He has performed with flutist Alexander Zonjic, and was chosen Winner of the University of Windsor Concerto Competition and awarded the Ron W. Ianni Memorial Performance Scholarship.

Sebastian has recorded in the studio for a number of local artists. Most recently he was a guest artist on Crissi Cochrane’s Heirloom album playing flute, clarinet, alto-tenor-baritone saxophones.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sebastian was the first musician in the Windsor area presenting high-caliber performances using distance recording techniques, and continues to this day show-casing highly skilled local musicians during his ongoing virtual projects. Lookin’ Back welcomes ANOTHER GREAT HORN PLAYER into the band to jam out Alto Reeds most iconic sax parts….and some new tricks.

Edward Mark (Hammond Organ / Strings & Things) from Toledo, OH Joined 3/23/2016  “Fast Eddie” is really really fast…after he sits down at his organ. Originally from Brooklyn, NY Ed is just a little less than patient and a complete perfectionist who is right 50% of the time, so have to take him very seriously.  He’s been playing keys and bass in various blues, rock, and jazz bands throughout NW Ohio and SE Michigan for over 40 years, but still way less than 100.  He was formally trained on piano and music theory as a young man and brings 100% of his training and decades of experience to Lookin’ Back.  A member since 2016 he is also a member of Allentown. Fast Eddie plays a NEW hi-tech Hammond B3 organ and makes Robyn Robbins proud.  His new keyboard allows him to combine classic organ sounds with whatever else we need to hear.  Catch FAST Eddie and NOT SO SLOW Jim playing together at most LOOKIN’ BACK SHOWS IN 2024!

Todd Stoney (Drums & Biz) White Lake, MI founding member since Fall 2008   Todd has played rock n roll drums his entire life.  In fact, Santa Claus delivered his first kit personally…..to his grandparent’s house “by mistake” on Christmas day.  Todd took private lessons in Lansing, MI at age 9 and quickly grasped the rudiments, developed his skills over the next 8 years locked away in his bedroom rehearsing for Lookin Back 30 years in advance.  In his headphone’s Todd played along with Bob Seger, and his favorite progressive rock bands, and/or whatever came next on The American Top 40 radio broadcasts.  Todd has rehearsed with some of the best bands who never left the basement.  Todd’s “never say die” and “if you can’t join ’em – beat ’em” attitude is working!

Just prior to forming Lookin Back Todd regularly performed on “mega-church” stages: Oak Pointe/Novi, Kensington’s River Community Church/Hartland, Brightmoor Tabernacle/Commerce, & Ward Presbyterian/Novi.  Todd’s biggest and earliest drummer influence was Sandy Nelson.  Todd would later discover, study and was influenced by Charlie Martin (Silver Bullet Original), Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds), Ian Mosley (Marillion), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) Joey  Kramer (Aerosmith), and Alan White (Yes), AND Liberty DeVito of Billy Joel.  Todd also plays drums with Allentown.

Jef Reynolds (MEGA BASS / Vocals) St. Clare Shores, MI Joined 1/20/2016  Jef delivers the goods on 4, 5, or 6-string bass. He’s known around the industry for his eclectic production sense gleaned over years of working in studios around the Motor City.  Jef also has multi-instrumental prowess, an intuitive voice, and a very dry martini sense of humor making him a man in demand.  Jef is excited and lookin’ forward to more memorable moments performing the music of Bob Seger with Lookin’ Back/Allentown. Throughout his career, Jef has accompanied various national artists including Lesley Gore, Lou Christie, Archie Bell, The Tokens, Alex Chilton, and Wolfman Jack’s Midnight Special Revival Road Show.  He is currently an active part of the Neo-Depression Jazz and Soul music revival happening in Detroit.  Jef was mentored by a stable of Detroit jazz legends such as The Funk Brothers guitarist Joe Messina, Ralph Armstrong, Mike Karoub, Wendell Harrison, RJ Spangler Big Band, Scott Gwinnell Orchestra. Jef was a member of the A&M Recording artist ‘Shivers’ in the late 80s. An On-Call session player at Cloudborne, Ron Rose, and Producers Color Service Studios. Early works with Michael King/Gary Nester. Projects include work with national Singer/Songwriters Jo Serrapere (Prairie Home Companion) and Sir Mack Rice (Stax).  Early Influences Include Chris Campbell, Paul McCartney, and Jamie Jamerson.

HIGH-QUALITY ALTERNATE PLAYERS (Just In Case!)

Carl Cafagna (SAX AXE/Backing Vocals/Percussion) from Troy, MI Joined 7/1/2012 – 2021  Carl’s not only a gifted sax man, but he’s also a clarinetist, flutist, vocalist, drummer, and not bad with the tambourine.  He has shared the stage with the Temptations, Regis Philbin, Natalie Cole, Martha Reeves, Amy Grant, Verve Pipe, Neil McCoy, the Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras, Simone Vitale, Marcus Belgrave, Bobby Watson, James Carter, Hot Club of Detroit and the Detroit Lions Pep Band, among many others.  Carl has performed in most major cities in the US, and in 4 other countries. Carl has taught music for the Detroit Symphony youth program, Lake Orion High School, Oakland University, Western Michigan University, and the world-renowned Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He holds a Bachelor’s in Music from Berklee College of Music (Boston) and a Masters’s in Music from Western Michigan University. A Family Man, he lives in Metro Detroit with his wife and their 4 gifted children.