Hooked
Dr Hook & The Medicine Show Tribute
About the Show
The concept of the show really was not all of Steves idea….. back in 2013ish, Steve had this brain wave of starting yet another tribute show of a band he always loved…. Daddy Cool.
He spoke with a colleague of his who then was the entertainment manager of a great club on the Gold Coast.. Steve Cummings, who suggested to him.. had he thought about doing Dr Hook? well Steve said of course no. So with the aid of Cummo, Steve became Ray in a very small attempt at doing a Dr Hook duo.
Well Cummo booked our one and only gig which was interesting, as it was just Cummo, Steve a set of congas and a computer for tracks.
They both never spoke about redoing it again. However now Steve had the bug.
Already a well known accomplished drummer he now had the bug to push it forward.
Well after some six years later… it went from a simple support act of five songs in front of the major acts band to what is now…… a six piece LIVE band.
Bill Hillman
Bill along with Steve is one of the leading forces behind Hooked and is the bands musical arranger.
Bill has been a professional musician all his life, backing major artists through out Melbourne, Sydney and even the UK.
Extremely well known in the music industry he has featured in many shows, bands musicals and still features in the Australian Buddy Holly Show from time to time.
Bill stars as Dennis Locorriere in the Hooked Tribute show from its conception over 3 years ago.
Gail Kellie
Gail plays the part of Billy Francis in Hooked – Billy was the keyboard player with the original line up of Dr Hook and the Medicine Show.
Gail also performs in the Australian Buddy Holly show as well as supplying the wigs for the rest of the band.
Mike Andrew
Mike plays the part of Rik Elswit in Hooked.
Rik played guitar with the original line up of Dr Hook and the Medicine Show.
Mike was the original guitar player with actors Guy Pearce, Craig McLaughlan ,Kylie Minogue and Alan Dale in the Neighbours band in 1987.
Mike’s other bands have included BIG BAD, the Midnight Blues Band, Brisbane based Chicago Blues band Howlin’ Time, TBG with lead singer Nikki, Steppin Out, Buddy Love and the Tremors, Dean Vegas Band, Elvis ETA Brendon Chase, Stuey V and The Memphis Beat, and guitarist with Melbourne Blues supremo Jacqui Walker and the JWBand.
More recently Mike has been touring with the DR Hook Tribute Show.
Steve Wisby
Steve along with Bill is one of the driving forces behind Hooked and is the bands manager and joint musical arranger.
Steve stars as Ray Sawyer and unlike the real Ray does not have one eye missing.
Steve recreates Ray’s vocal and antics on stage, including having fun with the audience.
When you see Steve on stage you can almost believe it’s the real Ray Sawyer.
Paul Heinemann
Paul is the backline of Hooked – Paul is Jance Garfat who joined Dr Hook in 1972.
Paul has been apart of the Brisbane music scene for many years and has been a member of many top Brisbane bands.
George Ambrosio
George plays the part of John Wolters
Started in Brisbane in professional bands, Carisma, and Cinnamon, then moved to Sydney and played with various bands and musicians backing artists like Jeff St John, playing with Ross Hannaford from Daddy Cool.
Coming back to Brisbane and joining the Ivan Damon circuit with Carisma, Cinamon, Breakaway Show Band from Perth, and Tenderness from Perth. Then leaving circuit and joining Linda Sommers Movement with Wylie Reed.
I then joined the Blues association and played with various musicians such as Mojo Webb, and Wylie Reed band doing various festivals, then joining Wards Express with Ross Ward and Jordie Leach from Rose Tatoo.
I joined (Blues Chain award winner) Kate Meehan and the Wise Fools soon after this, playing various festivals throught Australia for 4 years.
Now playing with Hooked, Dr Hook tribute band, TMG Blues band, & Chris Knight with the Buddy Holly Show.