"Meet the Band"
     Our band is made up from former members of several popular Buffalo bands including "The Roadrunners" "The Bee Bops and "The Western New Yorkers".  We wanted to form a band that appealed to the musical tastes of an older, mature audience. By combining the styles of our former bands we've developed a sound  that incorporates an eclectic mix of the greatest hits of the 50's, 60's, Blues, Country and Standards. Some of our patrons enjoy this mix while others prefer to stay with one style of music. With Switchback you get 2 bands for the price of 1. We take great pride in our ability to sing just as good as we play. Whether it's 4 part DooWop harmony, Charley crooning out a Sinatra song or Mike doing his incredable Johhny Cash impersonation strong vocals are an important part of the band's overall sound. We have one simple rule and that is to play the kind of music our audience will not only recognize but will also enjoy dancing to.Whatever your musical needs "Switchback" will put together a show that you will be sure to enjoy. 
     

Charley Priore - (MC, Lead Vocalist, Backup Harmony, Sax, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica)
Charlie started singing and playing sax when he was 16, a friend asked him to replace their singer who was sick and he has continued for most of the past 38 years. At 17, he was playing some nightclubs while still in high school and a year later he was playing at local parties and clubs. Charley also did some shows playing sax for Gladys Knight and the Pips at the old Inferno. Through the late sixties Charley played with the Lonely Souls and the Sterlings at the Mug on Hertel Avenue.  In the early 70's , Charley finally met his favorite singer, Dion. To make a dream complete, Dion asked Charley to join his band and off they went from the Executive Night Club in Cheektowaga to New York and concerts with Jay and the Americans. In the 70's, you could hear Charley with Angel Baby and the Daddios, Holiday and Argus.  Most recently Charley has played with the Be Bops and the Roadrunners. Charley lives in South Buffalo.

Rob Coffey- (Keyboards, Guitar, Lead/Harmony Vocals)

Rob has been performing music for 40 years. He started in his first band in 1965 and has been playing on and off ever since. After being discharged from the service in 1970 Rob performed as a single act in hotels and clubs from Florida to New York City. When Atlantic City opened their casinos in the late 70’s he played bass with a showband for a few years. Moving to Long Island in 1981 he worked as a DJ and a performed as a single act. Moving to Albany in 1984 he continued to perform regularly with local bands. He moved to Buffalo in 2000 and has played Bass with “The Western New Yorkers”. Keyboards with “Town and Country”, and Guitar and Keys with “The Roadrunners”.   He sings lead and harmony vocals

Mark Chudy- (Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Lead, Harmony Vocals)

You have to go a long way to hear a better guitarist than Mark. Although his specialty is playing Blues and Rock, he is very versital in Country, Soul and Jazz. Like the other members of the band Mark is very experienced and has been playing in bands for over 30 years.He has played with many sucessful Buffalo bands including "After Dark", "Mason Dixon", Amber Hill" and "The Roadrunners". Mark is a fine lead singer and provides harmony backup. He resides in Sanborn.

Mike Has been playing in the Western New York music scene for over 30 years. Most of the bands he has played with in the past have been country bands. Most recently he has played with The Western New Yorkers. He is a fine lead singer and a terrific harmonizer. His impersonation of Johnny Cash is dead on and has to be seen to be believed. Since joining Switchback, Mikes fine bass playing has helped us anchor the rhythm section by capturing the versatile bass
styles needed when playing oldies music. Mike resides in Tonawanda

It's well known among musicians that a band lives and dies by the quality of the drummer. That being the case, Switchback should live a long healthy life. Whether it's rock, latin, jazz or country Rick sets the groove for the rest of the band. Unlike the rest of the band Rick does not sing. He lets his drums do his singing for him. He has played with many Western New York bands over the years and we're all glad that he's found a home with Switchback. Rick lives in North Tonawanda