About the Band

At first glance, the Businessmen look just like any other band of 30-and 40-something players trying to relive their musical glory days. Just what the world needs, right? Another bunch of aging musicians working through tired renditions of classic rock relics.

But as it turns out, the world very much does need the Businessmen ; and perhaps more bands like them. Bands who know how to make those classic tunes live again, along with many of their own compositions. Bands who do it for love - and for charity.

For the Businessmen, it’s all about those qualities. Unlike most bands, they have no desire to make a living as musicians; as successful real-life businessmen, they don’t need to. Instead, each performance is a fund-raiser for some worthy cause. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the Autism Society of Westmoreland County,Family Resources … all have benefited from the band’s generosity. But the focus isn’t just on organizations; the Businessmen recently staged a benefit to help defray medical expenses for a 13-year-old girl injured in a horseback-riding accident. Sure, they’re having fun, but their music making also means one more child may get out of her wheelchair that much sooner; or another might never have to face life in one.

Fortunately, the Businessmen are no musical slouches on stage; they’re actually skilled players infused with a love of R&B and the rock that grew from it. Whether it’s the Stones’ “Bitch” or the Joe Cocker version of Randy Newman’s “Leave Your Hat On,” or their extensive collection of originals, the Businessmen’s repertoire is a solid nod to fat rhythms, killer guitar, horns and harmonies and, it must be said, a sound that harks back to Pittsburgh’s Silencers/Iron City Houserockers heyday.

Together, they come across as a band of players serious about having a good time, making good music; without sandpapering down the raw edges real rock needs; and staying involved in good causes. It wouldn’t hurt any of us to keep those priorities in mind, but what’s really inspiring is the fact that these gentlemen do more than just think about those pursuits.

Even proceeds from the sale of hats, T-shirts and other merchandise, and of the band’s two albums (the first was 1997’s “The Businessmen”) are plowed back into the organization or handed over to charities.

Knowing that their hearts are so big makes the Businessmen’s music sound that much better, but even if they weren’t doing charity gigs, they’d still be fun to catch on a Saturday night - or even on a work day.