The Brits were presented with Honorary Doctorate Degrees
from the College of Music at the University of Okoboji
The Diplomas were presented by Tom Tourville and Paul Plumb before The Brits' performance at Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park on Saturday August 25, 2018.
Joe Buda - Guitar and Vocals
JOE BUDA is a unique and talented musician who has played and toured with some of the area's top bands including: The Rumbles, Blue House, Mulberry Lane, and Soul Cousins. He has also worked with national acts such as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Coasters and The Gentrys. Joe and his brother Jay led the popular local band Allspice for many years. He is versatile in many styles of music and also plays at his church. With a longtime desire to play the music he heard as a kid, he got together with some former youths his own age to form The Brits. Watch out when he straps on his iconic Rickenbacker 12 string and lets loose with his distinctive jangle. In addition to playing guitar, he also plays keyboard and sings.
Dan Gillpatrick - Drums and Vocals
DAN GILLPATRICK started playing drums in 5th grade at Lewis Central Community Schools in Council Bluffs under Yano Colabro, and continued at Ralston under Gerald Chalupa (no he didn't drop the chalupa). In college, he formed his first rock band Furnace and later, joined Trojan Horse. Trojan Horse opened for Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders at the Royal Grove in Lincoln. Later, Dan took time off from music for marriage and family. Johnny Ray Gomez asked Dan to play at Johnny's 50th Reunion show and that rekindled the fire to resume playing music. Soon after he got a call from Joe Buda to be part of a British Invasion band which became The Brits.
Bob Ford - Keyboard and Vocals
BOB FORD began performing in the Seattle area when he was 14. He moved to Omaha and played with several local bands including The Wonders before joining The Rumbles in 1967. He has opened for groups like The Four Seasons, The Coasters, The Drifters, Looking Glass, Three Dog Night, Pure Prairie League, and many others. Bob sings and plays keyboard, guitar, harmonica and sax. He currently performs with The Brits and The Grease Band and entertains in retirement communities and nursing homes during the day. Bob says it was the music of The Beatles that originally awakened his instrumental and vocal talent. The Brits are a perfect fit for his skills and musical interests.
Lou Rose - Bass Guitar and Vocals
LOU ROSE began his musical interests at an early age and flourished in the 60's with the arrival of the Beatles and all the popular bands of the 60's. He was a founding member of The Wonders 1964-1969. He started playing bass guitar and later switched to drums. He also played guitar in the band Silk in the early 80's. He replaced Rich Berg in 2020 and now is a respected member of The Brits. It has been really fun to rejoin Bob Ford who was also in The Wonders. Lou's love of bass and percussion really shows in his performances.
Terry Brennan - Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals
Terry Brennan has been in the Midwest music scene for over 50 years. He played with Omaha area bands, The Poor Boys, Thee Misfits, The Word, The Marquee Revue, Bittersweet and The Digits, He opened for Three Dog Night, and Chase. He was an original member of The Brits. After taking some time away from the professional music scene, he has rejoined The Brits.
Terry learned Rock ’n Roll from the founders. But when the British groups appeared on the music scene in the 60’s, it changed the world. Performing with the The Brits is an opportunity to portray an historic era called “The British Invasion.”
Terry learned Rock ’n Roll from the founders. But when the British groups appeared on the music scene in the 60’s, it changed the world. Performing with the The Brits is an opportunity to portray an historic era called “The British Invasion.”
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