Bio and References

Steve Weams and the CARIBBEAN COWBOYS BAND from Asheville, North Carolina are one of the "most popular" bands...wherever they go! Voted "Most Popular Rock Band" in the Asheville Citizen-Times Poll of 1995, and voted "Best Local Band" in the Western North Carolina Mountain Xpress Readers Survey, Back-To-Back 1999 & 2000! In addition to that, they rocked Duval Street at Meeting of the Minds '99 (Jimmy Buffett's Fan Clubs, Parrot Heads in Paradise, National Convention) in Key West, Florida.

Individual Band Member Biographies
Steve Weams, (rhythm guitar, vocals) founder and leader of the Caribbean Cowboys, is a self-proclaimed minister of the gospel of Jimmy Buffett, and no where will you find a more committed or dedicated Parrothead on the face of our planet! Steve has been entertaining people around the Southeast for over 15 years and is especially adept at getting audiences to participate in the party-at-hand. When you arrange for the Caribbean Cowboys as your entertainment-of-choice you can be sure that Steve will have everyone up and moving! Steve provides the Caribbean Cowboys with vocals and rhythm guitar. Steve is also the booking agent for the Caribbean Cowboys Band. Steve is a founding member and Board Member for the Western North Carolina Parrot Head Club (recipient of the 2003 Golden Coconut Award, presented y PHIP, Inc.) When not playing music, Steve works on the coaching staff at Enka High School, coaching Enka Jets Football and Sugar Jets Softball. Steve graduated with a Masters Degree from Western Carolina University, where he also played baseball and soccer. Steve resides in South Asheville with his wife Gail and their black lab "Spooner".

Matt Sluder (lead guitar, vocals) has been playing professionally for over 20 years. After attending Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he was a regular member of the Dean's List, Matt returned home to NC and played in several bands over the years, including "Dixie Deluxe" which recorded a CD with legendary Eagles producer Bill Szymezyk. Matt has lived in Nashville, Tennessee on two different occasions, touring with the Rock Group Crystal Zoo and most recently, Satisfied Minds, which included members from Paul Rodgers Band of Band Company fame and country singer Earl Thomas Conley. Matt has worked as guitar instructor, songwriter and has extensive studio & live experience, mixing his love of rock, blues, jazz and country into a tasteful mix of guitar styles. With his soulful vocals and guitar, Matt plays an integral part of the Caribbean Cowboys Band.

Mike Barnes (lead guitar, vocals) is probably the most proficient musician of the Caribbean Cowboys. Also in great demand locally as a studio guitarist and instructor. Mike is on the faculty at the University of North Carolina in Asheville, teaching music. He also teaches individual lessons at Musicians Workshop in Asheville, NC. Mike's musical influences have been John McLaughlin, Duane Allman from the Allman Brothers Band, Jeff Beck, who was with The Yard Birds, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimmy Hendrix. Mike also likes great jazz. Mike attended the University of Miami and studied music. His best learning experience came from attending the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California. Watch for Mike's inspiring licks on the guitar! Mike resides in Asheville with his wife Donny and son Carrigan.

Mike Rothacker Laying down the bottom end on the bass guitar, and the bottom end on the vocal harmonies, Mike Rothacker provides the foundation on which the Cowboys music is built. Mike's 20+ years of professional playing and recording along with Jack's grooves makes the Cowboys "rhythm section" one of the most versatile and impressive you are likely to hear. Mike resides in Asheville NC.

Jack Nitterauer (perccussion, vocals) lays down the back-beat for the Caribbean Cowboys. In great demand as a percussionist, Jack's dedication and professionalism are well-known and his ability on drums and vocals are an invaluable contribution to the whole package that is...the Caribbean Cowboys! Jack handles merchandise sales for the Caribbean Cowboys. Jack also works as the Music Director at his church. Jack resides in East Asheville with his wife and three children.

The Caribbean Cowboys Band will provide you with a wide variety of music from Jimmy Buffett to other troubadours such as Peter Mayer, Scott Kirby, Jesse Winchester, Fingers Taylor, and the best of Classic Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Beach (Shaggin) Tunes, and last but not least...a few classics such as Frank Sinatra and an awesome "Elvis" tribute along with the Caribbean Cowboys originals! Their original tunes bring you an island-sound consisting of reggae, calypso, and good old rock 'n roll.

Steve will provide entertainment that is appealing to people of all ages and musical tastes, "solo" or with the cowboys, depending upon your individual circumstances. Restaurant bars, dance clubs, private parties, fraternity functions, weddings, corporate events, country club theme parties, charity events, festivals, conventions and last but not least, those ever infamous "Parrot Head Phlockings" ... just to name a few! Regardless of the occasion, rest assured you and your guests are in for a fun filled event and an escape to "Life on Islandtime"...Caribbean Cowboys style!

Steve and the Caribbean Cowboys Band are always glad to help out with a worthy cause.

They are the "official" band of the Western North Carolina Parrot Head Club, a charter member of PHIP.

(Official logo of the WNC Parrot Head Concert Series of 1998)
Owned by Steve Weams

1998 WNC Parrot Head Concert Series

Steve Weams directed a series of six concerts to benefit the American Cancer Society. The Caribbean Cowboys Band was the host band for the event and brought to the stage with them such Jimmy Buffett "tribute" bands as A1A, St. Somewhere, Greg Bridgewater, Mental Roots Reggae Band, and the local talents of Randy Smith's Buffett tribute and Social Funkshen. As always, the Caribbean Cowboys are willing to work with and for charitable causes, keeping in tune with Jimmy, in believing in "giving something back".

The Caribbean Cowboys have traveled extensively throughout the Southeast and from New York City to the Southern Most Point - Key West, FL... for reference sake, we'll recall a few...

Parrot Head Functions
"The Endless Carnival" The Sandlapper PH Club, Rock Hill, SC
Cheeseburger in Paradise, Friends & Family Grand Opening Festivities Asheville, NC ~ The Flip Flop Hop, Asheville’s 1 st Tropical Gala.

WNCPHC
Bluegrass Parrot Head Club's 10th Anniversary Party ‘05, Lexington, KY
Stars Fell on Alabama 2004, Gulf Shores, Ala .bama ~ Cabin Fever 2004 Spartanburg SC
"MargaRaleighville" Christmas Phlocking (Two) - PH's of Raleigh, NC
Island Fever Food & Music Festival 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
(Upstate PH Club - Spartanburg, SC)
ParrotStock 2001, 2002 & 2003 Charleston, SC
ParrotStock 2004 & 2005 Myrtle Beach, SC
2004 & 2006 Slice of the Island Life Party Triad PH Club
MOTM '99 - National Parrot Head Convention - Key West, FL
Margaritaville Night with the Augusta Lynx Hockey Team - Augusta, GA
Parrot Head Day at McCormick Field, Tourist Baseball Team - Asheville, NC
Parrot Head Night with the Smoke Hockey Team - Asheville, NC
Fayetteville Force Hockey Team Parrot Head Night - Fayetteville, NC
ThrowBack Shell Beach Party - Murrell's Inlet, SC
Parrot Head Club of the Piedmont - Greenville, SC - Parrot Head Club of Charlotte,
Parrot Head Concert Series - WNCPHC - Maggie Valley, NC
WNCPHC's Annual Anniversary & Christmas Phockings - Asheville, NC
Carolina Panthers Parrothead Pre-Game Party, Sharkfins, Charlotte, NC
Sandlapper PH Club Christmas Party 2003 Fort Mill, SC
Parrot Palooza 2003 & 2004 - Jillian's, Columbia SC
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville ~ CD Release Parties ~ Pre/Post Concert Shows
"Beach House On the Moon" Pre-Concert Party - Boardwalk Billy's Charlotte
"Beach House on the Moon" CD Release Party - Jillian's, Charlotte, NC
"Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturday's" Pre-Concert Party - Jillian's, Charlotte
"Far Side of The World" Pre-Concert Party - PH's of the Triad - Kernersville, NC
"Far Side of the World" Post Concert Party - Jillian's, Columbia, SC
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Store, Charleston, SC
"License to Chill 2004" Pre Concert @ Dixie's Tavern & The Marriott,
PH Club of Charlotte
"License to Chill 2004 Tour" Pre & Post Party - Jillian's, Columbia SC
Pre-Concert Party Feb . 2005 ~ Jillian's, Charlotte NC ~ Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Restaurant, Key West, FL

Festivals ~ Special Events
Bele Chere Festival, Asheville, NC - July 4th Centennial - Apple Festival, Music on Main 2005 & 2006 , Hendersonville, NC Coon Dog Day, Saluda NC
Fall for Greenville, Greenville, SC - Downtown After Five, Jacksonville, NC - Gopher Hill Festival, Ridgeland, SC ~ Wings & Strings Festival, Maggie, NC Octoberfest, Newberry SC ~ Coca Cola 600 Festival, Charlotte NC Rhythm of the Tropics Festival 2005 & 2006, Greenville SC ~ Finley Park Summer Concert Series 2005 & 2006, Columbia SC
St . Patrick's Day Street Fest, Waynesville, NC - Parade of Lights, Kerr Lake, Henderson, NC
Cinco De Mayo Celebrations - Asheville & Lake Norman, NC - Greenville & Charleston, SC
Junior League of Asheville, NC - Arnold Schwarzenegger National Fitness Convention 2003 - Columbus, OH
2005 Annual Sunrise Theater Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, Southern Pines, NC

Country Clubs ~ Resorts
Highlands - Cedar Creek - High Hampton - Lake Toxaway - Sapphire Lakes - Trillium - Chatuge Club ~ Crest Mountain, Asheville, NC ~ Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, NC ~ Biltmore Lake, Asheville NC
Highlands & Cashiers, NC - Cataloochee Ski Resort, Maggie Valley, NC
Maggie Valley CC - Country Club of Asheville & Hendersonville, NC - Statesville Country Club - Laurel Ridge Country Club, Waynesville, NC Champion Hills Golf Club, Hendersonville, NC
Holiday Inn Airport, Sunspree Resort, Best Western, Taylor Ranch, Bull Creek Ranch, McKee Farm, On Broadway, Asheville, NC
Marriott, Gwinnett Place, Atlanta, GA - Charleston Aquarium, Charleston, SC
The Oaks, Smokey Mountain Country Club, Whittier, NC
Friends of the Great Smokey Mountain's Aquarium, Gatlinburg, Tenn .
Balsam Mountain Inn, Balsam, NC ~ Morehead Inn, Charlotte NC
MCG Children's Hospital Annual Beach Ball, Augusta, GA
Shaw AirForce Base, Sumter SC ~ Monte Sano State Park, Hunstville, Alabama ~ Sterling Gardens, Columbia SC ~ Hartsville SC Sail Club

Restaurant ~ Restaurant Bars
Cheeseburger in Paradise Restaurants ~ Asheville NC ~ Greenville & Myrtle Beach SC ~ Chief’s, Greenville SC
The Orange Peel, Asheville NC ~ Capt' Tony's - Canyon's, Spartanburg SC
Saratoga's - Big Rick's, Maggie Valley, NC ~ Tiki Hut, Seneca, SC
Cider Mill, Arden, NC - Rio Bravo, Asheville NC & Greenville, SC - Hemingway's, Marietta, GA ~ Wild Wing Café, Asheville NC, Spartanburg SC
McGuffey's - Magnolia's - Joe's Crab Shack - Bier Garden, Game Breakers
Anntony's Caribbean Restaurant, Asheville, NC
Cypress Cellar - Cat Daddy's - Ricochet's, Hendersonville, NC
The Library, Cashiers, NC - Crossroads - The Rusty Lizard, Sylva, NC - Gametime, Greenville, SC - Blue Gill, Spanish Fort, Alabama
Character's - Greenville & Columbia, SC - Chief's - Greenville, SC
Rick's/Durty Harry's, Key West, FL
O'Malley's Irish Pub, Sylva & Waynesville, NC - Spotlights, Lake Lure, NC , Odonnel's Pub, Southern Pines, NC
Sportsbreak, Greenwood, SC - Tiki Bob's, Greenville, SC - Cadillac's, Augusta, GA ~ Blackwater Grill, Lumberton NC
First Street Grille, Jacksonville Beach, FL - Docksides, Edisto Island, SC - Margarita Mama's, OH

Universities ~ Schools
University of Tenn . Football Party Barge, Knoxville, TN
Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC - Christ School, Asheville, NC
Carolina Day School, Asheville, NC - AB Tech - Blue Ridge Community College, Hendersonsville, NC ~ Enka High School, Enka NC ~ Brevard High School Relay for Life, Brevard NC
Athletic Functions at Furman - UT - Clemson - Presbyterian - Univ . of GA - UNCA - Davidson ~ Moo-Uau 2005 & 2006, Wofford College, SC
Just to name a few . . .

British Virgin Islands
Endless Summer II Charter Yacht / Elite Island Yachts, Great Harbour, Peter Island ~ Foxy’s, Great Harbour, Isle of Jost Van Dyke ~ Jummbies Beach Bar, Leverick Bay ~ The Last Resort at Trellis Bay, Cooper Island ~ Pirates Bight, The Bight, Norman Island ~ The Jolly Roger, Sopers Hole, Tortola, BVI

The Caribbean Cowboys Have Opened for and or shared the stage with . . .
Eric Burden and the Animals
Dr . Hook
The Drifters
X Coral Reefer Jay Spell
The Peter Mayer Group
Skeeter Davis
Scott Kirby
Fingers Taylor

For further promotional information such as band members, equipment, and specific references including fraternity functions, country club/resort bookings, as well as weddings and such, forward your questions to Steve via e-mail, snail mail or by phone.