STAY COOL The Chilly Willy Band has kept the Lowcountry dancing for more than 30 years. BY BY BARRY KAUFMAN
Meet the Band How do you describe a group of guys like the musical force that is the Chilly Willy Band? “We’re a bunch of knuckleheads,” said Fred Warren. “The best way I can describe the relationship is it’s like poker night. We do it because it’s fun.” Ante up and meet the current lineup of the ever-evolving band.
David Carrol, drums. The troublemaker. “He has more
energy than the Energizer Bunny, but that’s what you want in a drummer,” said Warren.
David Skinner, saxophone. The showman. “He is a real crowd-pleaser. He comes from a jazz orientation but loves dance music.” David Warren, guitar. The professor. “He plays anything with strings on it, and he sees things before they happen. There’s a connection to the music that goes deep; it’s like telepathy.” J. Howard Duff, vocals. The front man. “Howard comes
from a really interesting musical background, going through the punk scene but also deeply steeped in blues and gospel. And he has a big sense of humor.”
42
TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
Jeff Rigg, keyboards. The ambassador. “Probably the
nicest person I ever met. It took a few years to even wrap my arms around the fact that he’s all he seems to be. He plays with a number of different bands, and he’s very active in the musical community.”
Jim Hall, bass. The new guy. “He has added a little bit more of a rock and roll sensibility to the band. Musically and personality wise, he has fit in perfectly.” Fred Warren, guitar. The bus driver. “It can be hard to get seven people in the same room, in the same key, in the same tempo. Herding cats is the term for it.” Honorable mention: Ed Switila, founding member and original percussionist. “He’s been a great musical amigo.”