Bio

Josh Preslar

Born in North Carolina, Josh Preslar, now 25, has been playing in clubs, festivals, and arenas in the Piedmont area and beyond for the past 7 years. Starting out as a guitar player at age 14 he moved to Raleigh and started playing bass in 1998, and now is proficient in playing guitar, bass and drums. Gigs have taken him all the way from the hills of North Carolina to the Mississippi Delta. His guitar playing and singing has matured, not only from playing jam sessions, but running them as well. He currently runs the Josh and Turner Jam at the Berkeley Cafe and the Triangle Blues Society Jam at the Blue Martini in Raleigh. This has given him the opportunity to meetand befriend his band.

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Mike Davis
(aka the "Howlin' Wind")

Harp player and songwriter Mike Davis, aka the "Howlin' Wind", has a history of playing North Carolina blues dating back further than anyone else in the band. He has been playing music on the East Coast for over 40 years. His list of credentials is too long to name here, but give him a listen one time and you'll know he means business.

The Josh Preslar Band is finally off the ground! They have already played most of the blues clubs in Raleigh. In this short time they have gained a good following locally. Their music is reminiscent of T-Bone Walker, Louis Jordan, Otis Rush, Lowell Fulsom and many more. Their presence on stage has always been able to liven up a crowd and command attention. Between Derek's solid grooves, Leon's unrivaled drum solos, Mikes soul grabbing harp, and Josh's love of the real blues, they are a must-see act for anyone looking to boogie down, shake things up, or just chill out and listen to some killer blues!

After playing with a number of local, national and international artists he yearns for that experience himself, but this time under his own name. The Josh Preslar Band has been a long time goal for him, and after gaining the experience from playing with various bands and instruments over these 7 years, including competing in the largest gathering of blues musicians in the World, the 2005 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, he's ready to go for it!

Leon Baker

Leon Baker, age 27, is currently the house drummer for the Josh and Turner Jam.

Josh and Leon have played together over 4 years in the "Lil' Dave Band". Leon, playing with over four bands locally and constantly being hired for jam session and pick-up gigs, is one of the busiest new drummers in Raleigh.

Derek Arnold

Bass player Derek Arnold, 22, is also a part Josh's house band at the Josh and Turner Jam. Playing music for over 18 years, and in various venues for nine years, he was influenced by his father, Harvey Arnold, to start playing at the ripe old age of 4. His father was bass player for the "Outlaws", who sold four Gold Records. Harvey has played with notably famous artists ranging from the "Eagles" to "The Rolling Stones", keeping Derek's standards high and his playing versatile on bass, drums, piano, as well as guitar.