Biography and History
Kid Davis & the Bullets, fronted by guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, Michael “Kid” Davis, have been purveying their own brand of roots/rockabilly music for more than three decades in the Wilmington, Delaware region and beyond.
Davis is joined by bassist and band cofounder, Bobby Bloomingdale, guitarist and vocalist Pat Kane, and drummer Paul Ramsey.
Musical style and influences
Kid Davis & the Bullets pride themselves on playing original music in styles characterized as Americana, roots, and rockabilly. Davis credits early influences such as Elvis, Carl Perkins, the Beatles, Johnny Cash, and Buck Owens. Later influences include Marty Stewart, Los Lobos, X, the Cramps, the Clash, the Sex Pistols, the Ramones, Tom Waits, the Meters, the Blasters, Bill Kirchen, Danny Gatton, Albert Lee, Richard Thompson, Dwight Yoakum, Dick Dale, David Bromberg, Tony Rice, Allison Krauss, Captain Beefhart, Roxy Music, Little Feat, and of course, Frank Sinatra.
Current members
Michael “Kid” Davis – Guitar / Lead Vocals
Pat Kane – Guitar / Vocals
Bobby Bloomingdale – Upright Bass
Paul Ramsey – Drums
The Saga of an Original Roots Rock Band
Kid Davis and the Bullets formed in 1981 in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania. The band's origins trace back to an encounter at the Yesteryear Tavern in Prospect Park (Kid Davis’s hometown), where musicians Bobby Bloomingdale and Davis first played together in “The Black Hawk Spring Band.” The collaboration between Bloomingdale and Davis led to the formation of Kid Davis & the Bullets, with Davis transitioning from dobro to guitar.
After the dissolution of The Black Hawk Spring Band, Bloomingdale and Davis formed “The Swingston Trio,” which included Greg Troiano on harmonica. The duo began frequenting open-mic nights in Newark, Delaware, and became aware of a vibrant music scene at the University of Delaware. They later added drummer Mark Walls to the group, officially forming The Bullets.
Following a year of performances, Davis replaced Tommy Conwell as guitarist in the seminal Delaware blues band, Rocket 88, fronted by Mark Kenneally, also known as "Dr. Harmonica." Although Davis's tenure with the band lasted a short while, it opened doors for The Bullets.
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Upon reforming Kid Davis and the Bullets, the band saw several changes in its lineup, including the addition of drummer Johnny Digiovani with Bloomingdale on bass. As the band expanded its touring range from New York to Virginia, Eddie Everett replaced Digiovani as drummer and Brian Hayes on bass. After a year, drummer Dave Indivero and bassist Andy Shemeta replaced Everett and Hayes. It was at during this time the Bullets recorded and released their first full-length album, Long After Midnight in 1987.,
The band's growth included playing to packed houses in venues like the Irish Brigade in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the Rongovian Embassy in Trumansburg, New York. Everett eventually returned to the band, and bassist C. Bradley Jacobs joined in 1990, contributing to the band's success.
The band recorded and released its second full-length album, Like Cowboys Do in 1991. This album was nominated for Best Album by the Philadelphia Music Awards committee. In 1992, the band won the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s first battle of the bands, at the Trocadero, and was awarded an 18-month sponsorship by Budweiser and GHS Strings, enabling them to expand their circuit and connect with other up-and-coming acts.
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For several years, Davis formed a separate band, performing under the moniker, Kid Davis & the Kowpokes and played regular sets of country music on Sundays at well-known Philadelphia venue, J.C. Dobbs. Kid Davis and the Kowpokes featured guest pedal steel guitar player and Delaware music scene stalwart, Tommy Wayne Eppes, now of Las Vegas, NV. During this time, the band released two more full-length recordings: studio album Get Used to It in 1993 and their first live album, The Kid Davis Band Live - Invade the Brigade in 1994 (both recorded in Fredericksburg, VA).
Among the 66 bands enjoying similar sponsorships nationwide, the Kowpokes and 14 others were chosen to have songs included on a compilation album (On The Outskirts, 1993) released to promote the Anheuser-Busch In Concert program. That same year, the band changed its name back to The Bullets and were included on volume 3 of Washington, D.C.-area CD series The Big D.C. Jamboree.
In 1995, Davis moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a songwriting career.
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When Davis returned to Delaware in 2000, he reformed Kid Davis & The Bullets with Eddie Everett on drums. The band sought to expand its audience, reconnecting with Bloomingdale and inviting him back to play upright bass while Jacobs shifted to guitar, forming a new iteration of the historic band. The band released a second live album, Live at Murph's in 2005, which, for the first time, included their renditions of some classic rockabilly and honky-tonk covers.
When long-time drummer Eddie Everett left to perform with Rockabilly artists The Rockats, Wanda Jackson, and Delco Nightingale, Walter Epting joined as drummer in 2006. With Epting, the Bullets released their sixth and seventh albums, Let's See Where This Goes in 2008 and Blue Side of the Moon in 2017. In recent years, the band added guitarist and vocalist Pat Kane, who first performed with the group at the age of 15. Kane’s influence brought new energy to The Bullets, expanding their musical style and audience reach.
Over the years, the Bullets have shared the stage with renowned artists such as Brian Setzer, David Bromberg, Dick Dale, Ricky Skaggs, Faith Hill, Patty Loveless and Eddie Rabbit. The band continue to perform throughout the East Coast, maintaining a dedicated following during their long-running Wilmington, Delaware Thursday night residencies at the Blue Parrot, Oddity Bar, and then the infamous Jackson Inn in Wilmington, Delaware.
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused venues to shutdown, The Bullets adapted and engaged their fans for several months through live streamed house concerts. Also during the pandemic, the band explored Frank Sinatra’s music and, inspired by their patron Dave Cantera, released their studio album Sinatra for Cantera in 2021. The album features ten style-adapted Sinatra songs.
Walter Epting amicably left The Bullets in 2021 to join the indie group Palm Ghosts in Nashville. He was replaced by Brian “Octie” Bruce, a versatile drummer, who later departed the band in late 2023. Paul Ramsey, formerly of progressive band echolyn, and alternative band Grey Eye Glances, then filled the drummer position, upholding the band's tradition of a strong rhythm section.
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Like many bands, Kid Davis and the Bullets experienced lineup changes over the years. Despite these changes, Davis has remained the consistent driving force behind the band. His unwavering commitment to the rock 'n' roll genre ensured that the band's sound and spirit stayed true to its roots.
The Bullets have continued to evolve their sound, exploring Americana and other styles while maintaining their roots in rockabilly. The band remains active in the music scene, continuing their renowned Thursday night residency at Galuccio's in Wilmington, Delaware, and performances at various venues across the mid-Atlantic region.
Today, Kid Davis and the Bullets are recognized as pioneers, playing a crucial role in keeping the spirit of rock 'n' roll alive in Delaware. Their story is a testament to the enduring appeal of rockabilly music and the power of live performance to create lasting connections between artists and audiences.
Kid Davis & the Bullets were inducted into the Delaware Rock and Roll Society's Hall of Fame in 2024.
Additional musicians
Pete Cogan – Harmonica
Alan Yandziak - Saxophone
Past members
Mark Walls, Drums
Johnny DiGiovanni, Drums
Eddie Everett, Drums
Brian Hayes , Bass
Dave Indivero, Drums
Andy Shemeta , Bass
Paul Slivka, Bass
C. Bradley Jacobs, Bass / Guitar / Vocals
Tommy Eppes , Steel Guitar / Lap Steel / Telecaster
Walter Epting , Drums
Brian “Octie” Bruce, Drums
Discography
Long After Midnight (1987)
Like Cowboys Do (1991)
The Big D.C. Jamboree, Volume 3 (compilation, 1993)
On the Outskirts (compilation, 1993)
Get Used to It (Kid Davis & the Kowpokes) (1993)
The Kid Davis Band Live, Invade the Brigade (1994)
Live at Murph’s (2005)
Let's See Where this Goes (2008)
Blue Side of the Moon (2017)
Sinatra for Cantera (2021)
