ATW
AGAINST THE WIND
“…dancing in the aisles, the crowd singing Seger hits that have shaped their lives and standing ovations – that’s the ATW Experience.”
AGAINST THE WIND: THE ULTIMATE BOB SEGER EXPERIENCE, is back! After a string of sell out shows, on both sides of the border. Like so many other shows, the band’s tour was postponed, due to Covid. Now with theatres and casinos opening again, ATW, has their sights on 2022 and returning to the stage.
ATW’s unique and gritty “Heartland Rock” performances take the audience on a journey through the decades long career of Bob Seger. With a set list peppered with every hit, fans are swept away by both the band’s accurate renditions, and Ty Wilson’s authentic vocal portrayal of one of rock’s most iconic voices.
The ATW concert experience is electric. An all-star band, blends the high energy songs of “Seger-Rock” with the iconic ballads that became the backdrop of so many memories, for both young and old. This is a musical experience fans don’t ever forget.
ATW Against the Wind Members
Jeffrey Dean Goldstein
Drums/Band Leader
The “ATW Experience”, has evolved due to the vision of Jeffery Dean Goldstein, who put his aptitude for business together with being a Seger fan himself and turned his attention to the growing phenomena of tribute bands. He was determined to attract the musicians and business allies that would fulfill the goal he set for himself of building an internationally respected, one-of-a-kind Seger Experience. Decades later, comfortably seated behind the drum kit, Jeff, with the help of the strong team he has assembled, oversees the day to day business of this one-of-a-kind Bob Seger experience.
Jeff began his musical career at the of 14, performing in clubs. As a young adult he found himself touring with the likes of rock-club icons “Jester” and “Fingers.” Later he toured North America with Polydor recording artists “Fable Manor” and Ready Records artists “Viva Labiddo”, experiences that left him with an acute understanding of the industry and how it worked. Then, in 2014, he began working on “Against the Wind; The Ultimate Bob Seger Experience” with a vision to create a show that would be second to none, satisfy any fan, young or old; a show that would recreate both the sound and spirit of Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band. Years in the business taught him everything he needed to know to assemble and create the World’s Number 1 Ultimate Bob Seger Experience, from picking the right musicians and business allies to bringing his ultimate vision to the stage. Since then, ATW has performed on both sides of the border, appearing on theatre and festival dates as well as the most sought-after casino circuit.
Factoid: Music goes way back in Jeff’s family. In the late 40’s his aunts formed the popular vocal trio “The Barton Sisters.” Though offered a recording contract from RCA Records, their father forbid it ultimately ending the careers.
Ty Wilson
Lead Vocals
When finding a “Seger” for the band, the most important thing a singer could do was capture the tones, phrasings and spirit of the songs. Against the Wind has found this in Ty Wilson; a young and powerful singer. Thanks to his family he was raised on the soulful sounds of Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band and other country-rock greats, and is able to bring a personal performance to every hit.
Ty signed his first record deal at 16 years old, his second at 22. He has spent years as a journeyman musician, playing bars and small clubs across Canada. From Toronto’s premier music venue The Opera House, to busking on the streets of Victoria B.C., Ty has learnt how to connect with his audience and bandmates.
Factoid: Ty’s Grandmother was a well-known country musician, opening for legends Johnny Cash, and others, during early 60’s
John Panchyshyn
Saxophones
There could be no Bob Seger sound, without the iconic, signature sax licks and grounding tones brought to life by John Panchyshyn. With a career that spans decades, John has been one of Canada’s most sought-after session players and has shared the stage, or studio, with everyone from Etta James to Ian Thomas, Dominic Troiano to Long John Baldry, Mary wells to Liberty Silver. His experience and musical cool, is just right for ATW.
John began his career at an early age, performing with his father, becoming classically trained and then as a youth completing Humber College’s premier music program. Later in life, surrounded by the forest of his countryside home, he connected with the storyteller in Bob Seger through tunes like, “Shame On The Moon” and “Turn the Page” and brings his attachment to the songs to stage on every performance.
Factoid: international Canadian Armed Forces tours including The Arctic Circle, Germany, Cyprus and The Middle East
Kevin Vienneau
Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Anyone who knows the songs of Bob Seger and Silver Bullet Band, knows, solid guitar work is a big part of the sound. ATW have found, in Kevin Vienneau, a player that can effortlessly complement all the parts. Originally from Cole Harbour Nova Scotia, Kevin has been a fixture on the Toronto and Canadian music scene since 1989. He can often be found playing with a myriad of artists in Toronto’s top clubs, and over the years has performed with modern lineups of such widely known acts as The Temptations, The Drifters, The Shirelles, Bo Diddley.
The son of a semi-professional country guitarist, Kevin began performing in elementary school and lived the rock of the 70s and 80s, throughout high school. He later studied jazz in university, and it is his wide spectrum of styles that have made him one of Toronto’s most sought after players.
Factoid: Kevin has performed with 70’s funk icons War.
Steve Skingley
Bass Guitar
An accomplished bass player, music producer & recording engineer, Steve has worked with a wide range of great Canadian talent including; Rik Emmett, Honeymoon Suite, Suzie McNeil, Alannah Myles, Amanda Marshall, Jason Blaine, Marshall Dane, The Morganfields, and The Gandharvas.
Steve trained in analog recording at London Ontario’s acclaimed MIA program, and later studied bass at Humber College in Toronto.
A Georgetown Ontario native, he studied classical piano at an early age, and played in local rock bands. He developed his love for the bass guitar after listening to bass legends like Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, and Geddy Lee.
Equally at home in concert halls, studios, or clubs, one of Steve’s career highlights was recording, mixing, co-producing, and playing bass on the 2016 Mascot Label release, Rik Emmett and RESolution 9.
Brian Hawley
Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Inspired by the great country folk artists of our time, singer-songwriter and session musician, Brian Hawley fills out that lush guitar sound that Seger is renowned for. With over 30 years performing across Canada, Hawley adds his name to the list of music veterans Against the Wind has on board.
Brian was born and raised on the east coast of Canada where he honed his craft touring around the Maritimes at a young age. Finding his way to Ontario he joined the well-known Muskoka-born band Laganza and released two studio albums, numerous radio releases. When he’s not on the road performing you can find him in his home studio writing, recording and studying sound engineering.
Factoid: Brian co-write for the theme song of the Ontario Winter Games in 2009
Richard Roxborough
Music Director, Piano & Vocals
What would a Bob Seger song be without the percussive piano and swelling Hammond tones? Rich Roxborough is more than just your typical keyboardist and vocalist. While performing alongside classic rockers like Alannah Myles and The Kings, to Canadian Country Artists like Jason McCoy, Aaron Lines and Patricia Conroy, Richard has honed his skills at “dialing in” the sounds and textures that fill out ATW’s powerhouse delivery.
A Toronto native, Richard is proud to call Canada home. Starting his musical journey on guitar at 6 years old, then bass at 11 and piano at 18, the momentum keeps ‘Richie Rox’ on road and inspired to perform at the top of the game.
Factoid: Over his career, Richard has performed in some of the most unique locations; Europe, Morocco, Central America, the North Pole, the Sahara Desert.
Bill Evans
Organ & Synthesizers
With so many textures and sounds, Bob Seger’s music has always demanded the most of its musicians. With the addition of multi-instrumentalist Bill Evans, ATW is able to meet the challenge and recreate the musical soul of every song. As a most sought after session player, Bill has performed along-side the likes of musical legends Peter Noore (Herman’s Hermits), Jim McCarty (The Yardbirds) Del Shannon and Melissa Manchester. As an original recording artist, his band “The Beat Kings” has opened for such notables as The Allman Brothers and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Bill released his solo album “The Blue Martini” 2006 to critical acclaim.
Bill discovered music at the age of four and was immediately enrolled in piano lessons. With a drive to practice, unmatched by any normal person, he continued studying music into his adult life receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University in Jazz Performance and Composition. After years touring with his band Random Chants, Bill went back to school and received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto.
Factoid: Bill has performed on numerous records and film scores, including Ron Korb’s Grammy award nominated album “Asia Beauty.”
Allyson Morris
Vocals
For Bob Seger’s iconic harmonies a variety of voices are needed. Allyson Morris is a Toronto based vocalist who uses her sultry, powerful, pitch-perfect voice to make those ATW harmonies come alive! Equally comfortable live on stage or in the recording studio, she is equally comfortable delivering Jazz, Pop, Blues or Rock.
Allyson was raised in Chatham Ontario. She started her career on the musical theatre stages, working years in music venues across Ontario. Allyson’s musical collaborators are a Who’s Who in Canada; Bernie Senensky, Robi Botos, Reg Schwager, Ted Quinlan, Pat Collins, Bill King and Ben Riley to name a few.
Factoid: As a recording artist, Allyson has released 2 albums. “I Saw the Light” in 2013 and her latest 2020 EP release, “Chill Me Some Jazz”.
Arden McManus
Vocals
Seger’s harmonies are big, and need many voices. Arden McManus is one of those needed voices. A graduate of the famed music program at Humber College, she refined her craft touring across Canada as singer/songwriter. Her project “Sundance Cafe” recently release a self-titled debut album on Sony Records.
Born and raised in Toronto, Arden began her career around the bonfire with friends, singing the songs of Bob Seger, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. She would later become well known in the Toronto club scene before launching her career nationally. Her history with the songs of Seger make her a perfect fit for ATW.
Factoid: Arden toured to both Bosnia AND the North Pole to perform for Canadian Forces and UN Peacekeeping troops.