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The Fishing Line Band with Rich Johnson & Friends
If you would like to book the band or Rich Johnson for an appearance at your business or home party,
electric or acoustic contact us at 516-889-6895.
 

Starting in the 70's, Rich Johnson of The Fishing Line radio & television shows actually made a living playing in rock and roll bands traveling around the Midwest and then in the 80's was a regular in many of the famous 80's hangouts of Long Island like the Beach Club, Sandpiper in Long Beach, the OBI in Oakdale & Hamptons, Half Crown Pub and made special appearances to jam sessions with the Island's hottest bands like Phase 4, Broken Arrow and others before joining the Sunrise Highway Band in 82' in which he stayed with till 86'. After sitting out more than a decade weary of road travel and then with the huge success of The Fishing Line shows and internet sites, Rich never had time to play the way he wanted. Well in 2002, Rich got the itch to start playing again and like the Blues Brothers...decided to "put the band back together."

The Fishing Line Band (TFLB) has been a main act at several major events over the years including the Bud Festival at Pindar Winery in 03', NY State Park's Captree Seafood Festival each year as well as Long Island Assemblyman Joe Saladino's fund raising events. Rich continues to play guitar around the Island fronting and leading TFLB as well as sitting in many open mic and jam sessions such as the weekly Wednesday night jam at Jessie's Roadhouse in Merrick, Long Island, Giacomo's in Amityville and DJ Riders in Oceanside. Rich just returned from a few of these held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. TFLB specializes in classic rock and country rock goodies and good times from the Beatles, ZZ Top, Stones, Bob Seager, Eagles, Buffet, CCR and many, many others of your favorite all time songs from  the 60, 70's & 80's. If you are interested in booking the band for a backyard home event, club, dinner (yes we can be mellow), outdoor event, party or Bar-B-Que contact Rich through his e mail address which is rich@thefishingline.com.

TFLB's line up includes bass, drums, two guitars and piano along
with special guest friends that sit in from time to time. The TFLB lineup includes:

Rich Johnson, Founder: Lead vocals, harmony vocals, rhythm and lead electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass. Influences: "I didn't start playing guitar till I was 21 years of age and living in the mid-west, Emporia KS. to be exact, so I do have a country "twang" to my style. Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon said it best when he said rock guitar is just country licks sped up. My musical influences stem from the early British Invasion and of course include the Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Rod Stewart & the Faces, Paul McCartney along with Moody Blues, ELP and others. I was always a huge Beatles fanatic and collector and was a Beatles over the Stones fan for a long time, but  my appreciation for the Stones and what they were then and now grew as I aged. My American influences included Beach Boys and their harmonies, CCR, Seager, REO, Jackson Browne, Eagles, the Band and Kansas with my country influences being early Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and Waylon Jennings. Turn Off's: Loud playing, never ending lead solos and guitar players that don't know how to play or hold a good rhythm. Best Memory: Saving up for my first stereo (69') and playing Sgt. Pepper over and over and over again and hearing the separation. Hearing the crowd roar when I hit the hard and high notes in "Night Moves" at an outdoor festival in Kansas back in 1976 and hosting Rick Derringer in my home (93') playing my Les Paul and then being back stage with Rick and playing his guitar. Favorite Albums: Beatles "White," Sgt. Pepper, Revolver, The Faces "A Nod is As Good As A Wink" (73'), Ten Years After, Eagles "On the Border" & Sticky Fingers.

Rick Shutter, Drums & Percussion: Rick is one of the leading percussionists in the business today and has been playing most of this life. Having toured and played with many regionally known named bands, Rick makes his main living with a highly successful DJ business. Rick can play anything and everything from country swing to heavy metal is called for, Rick has to be one of the most versatile and well rounded drummers in the business playing and sitting in for "on-call" duty with some of the biggest acts on the Island and the region. Don't let his smaller stature fool you...Rick can pound with the best of them, but is well rounded experience allows him to do what is needed for whatever song or crowd request comes his way.

David Nesdall: Lead and rhythm guitar, lead and harmony vocals. Thanks to my grandmother, I started taking guitar lessons at the age of 5 and as the years went on, and with lots of ear training, I learned to sing as well. Influences: Well i have so many that it would be very hard to mention them all. I’d have to say Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Warren Haynes, Jimi Hendrix and Dickey Betts would be my top 5 favorite guitar players. Fondest Memory: Hanging out with Eddie Van Halen for a week in 1998 as his peer and not just another pain in the ass fan. Hanging out in Dickey Betts' tour bus, talking about Les Pauls and playing his favorite Les Paul and I guess playing guitar on stage with Steve Vai and Larry MItchell. Special Thanks: D'Adarrio and Planet Waves for the strings and picks. Carrie for putting up with my crap all these years. Mom, Dad, Tony, Eddie, Alex, and Brandi. Tommy, Mark. Very special thanks to Grandma R.I.P.

Bob Heller, Lead Guitar:  Lead and rhythm guitar, vocals and back ground vocals. Bob started guitar around 12 years of age and was playing jazz before rock & roll. He was introduced to the music of Charlie Parker, George Benson, Pat Martino, and Wes Montgomery at the age of 13, and dove into it head first, studying first with Peter Rogine, and later with Joe Monk. He was fortunate to have two younger brothers, Bill who plays keyboards, and Barry, who plays bass, so at a young age they would entertain family and do an occasional gig starting at the age of 14. Over the years Bob has played with several bands including The “Mudmen,” a well known Motown/R&B band on Long Island and “Steppin' Out,” “The Next Faze” both of which being top notch entertainment  bands "I'm looking forward to playing some good rock n' roll with Rich and having some fun!"

The Fishing Line 2008 Band Schedule: Here are the starting dates for our tour this season. As we get more we will plug them into this page schedule, so keep checking back.

If you would like to book the band or Rich Johnson for an appearance at your business or home party, electric or acoustic contact us at 516-889-6895.

April
Giacomo Jack's
in Amityville (best kept secret in Amityville)

  • The Fishing Line Band with Rich Johnson
  • Sunday afternoon / April 13
  • 4 to 8 p.m.
  • Two piece acoustic and classic rock
  • Half Mile south of Merrick Road (Montauk Highway)
  • So. Ketchum Ave.
  • Amityville, Long Island
  • 631-691-2722
     

May
Giacomo Jack's
in Amityville (best kept secret in Amityville)

  • The Fishing Line Band with Rich Johnson
  • Saturday evening / May 10
  • 4 to 8 p.m.
  • Four piece rock band playing and classic rock
  • Half Mile south of Merrick Road (Montauk Highway)
  • So. Ketchum Ave.
  • Amityville, Long Island
  • 631-691-2722

Atlantic Beach Club Memorial Day Party

  • Saturday evening / May 24
  • 8 p.m. to midnight
  • Atlantic Beach, Long Island
  • Sorry Folks, private party

My Joanne Charters Memorial Day Party

  • Sunday afternoon / May 25
  • 3 to 10 p.m.
  • Long Beach, NY
  • 516-851-4392

June
The Fishing Line Rock Band (4 piece) With Rich Johnson  

  • Saturday / June 14

  • 9 p.m. to midnight

  • Calamity's (new tavern & new owners) Former Oak Chalet

  • 3026 Merrick Rd.

  • Wantagh (across street from Causeway B&T)

  • 917-548-8194

The Fishing Line 2 Piece Acoustic With Rich Johnson

  • Sunday afternoon / June 22

  • 4 to 8 p.m.

  • Giacomo Jack's in Amityville

  • Half Mile south of Merrick Road (Montauk Highway)

  • So. Ketchum Ave.

  • Amityville, Long Island

  •  631-691-2722

The Fishing Line 3 Piece Acoustic Band With Rich Johnson Calamity's 1st Sunday Beach Party 

  • Sunday afternoon / June 29

  • 5 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Calamity's (new tavern & new owners) Former Oak Chalet

  • 3026 Merrick Rd.

  • Wantagh (across street from Causeway B&T)

  • 917-548-8194

July
The Fishing Line Rock Band (4 piece) With Rich Johnson  

  • Saturday / July 19

  • 9 p.m. to midnight

  • Calamity's (new tavern & new owners)

  • 3026 Merrick Rd.

  • Wantagh (across street from Causeway B&T)

  • 917-548-8194

August
The Fishing Line Band with Rich Johnson

  • Saturday evening / August 2

  • 9 p.m. to midnight

  • Four piece rock band playing and classic rock

  • Giacomo Jack's in Amityville

  • Half Mile south of Merrick Road (Montauk Highway)

  • So. Ketchum Ave.

  • Amityville, Long Island

  • 631-691-2722

 

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"The Fishing Line" and "The Fishing Line" & Design, are registered Trademarks of Richard Johnson.  They may not be reproduced, copied, represented or used in any manner, shape or form. The contents of this web site are copyrighted by Richard Johnson & RJ Productions and may not be reproduced, copied, reprinted or sold in any manner, shape or form, under penalty of law.