About Us
Muench is a Louisville, KY based band that has a long
and rich past. The group today consists of three original members,
brothers Jim, Don and Steve Muench. They have added Paul Barth,
one of Louisville's premier drummers to form a tight entertaining
unit. Each member sings and their versatiliy is expanded as
members rotate both the instrumental and vocal lead. The experience
and professional background of each individual shines through
their enthusiasm and personal enjoyment of each performance.
Learn a little more about this band and their musical journey.
History
After prior incarnations of bands known as The Magna
IV, Brothers Pride and
Louisville, the musical group “Munch Brothers” was
formed with members Jim Muench (guitar), Don Keith Muench (Bass),
Steve Muench (guitar), Danny Bell (drums), and Don Cameron (keyboards).
In January 1974 the group was managed by Louisville disk jockey,
Dude Walker of WAKY radio and embarked on a journey to Toronto,
Canada. While in Toronto the Munch Brothers were engaged by
CHUM radio and sponsored by the Peter Stuyvesant Cigarette Company
to tour Southern Ontario with daily concerts throughout the
Province. Dates included two appearances at Nathan Phillips
Square performing to crowds in excess of 50,000 and concluded
with a two week run at the Canadian National Exhibition. During
this time the band released a record in Toronto entitled “I
need some Rock and Roll”. The group also appeared with
“Wolfman Jack” in concert in Oshawa Ontario.
Encouraged by the success enjoyed in Canada, the decision was
made to move to Los Angeles in November 1974. After several
months in California an audition was arranged with Peggy Rogers
of Dick Clark Productions and a subsequent audition with the
Osmond’s manager, Jim Morey. After shortening the name
to “Munch” it was agreed for the band to appear in
Honolulu at the Hawaiian International Center, opening the show
for the Osmond Brothers, Donny and Marie, and younger brother
Jimmy Osmond. After that performance, Munch was signed as the
opening act for the 1975 Osmond tour and continued to tour with
the Osmond family through 1978.
Shortly after the first Osmond tour, Munch signed a recording
contract with Gene Autry’s Republic Records, which produced
a number of singles and an album released in 1977. Republic
Records suggested another name change for the band which became
“Muench”, and the title of the album. The disk was
a combination of original music written by members of Muench
and songs written and produced by Jerry Fuller (Rick Nelson,
Gary Puckett), Dave Burgess (The Champs, The Lettermen), and
a number of tracks produced by Jim Ed Norman (Jennifer Warnes,
Anne Murray, and string arranger for the Eagles).
During this time the band opened a number of shows for the Bee
Gees in 1977 and performed with Andy Gibb on his “Shadow
Dancing Tour” in 1978. Other notable performances include
“Dick Clark’s Good Old Rock & Roll Show”
aboard the Sitmar Cruise Ship SS Fairseas. Hosted by Dick Clark,
Muench provided music for The Coasters, Freddy Cannon, and Gary
US Bonds, as well as playing their own set.
Muench has performed for numerous charitable events sponsored
by the City of Hope cancer foundation in Los Angeles and has
appeared in venues along the west coast from Palm Springs to
Portland, including the MGM Grand in Reno, NV. The group has
also shared the stage with Survivor (Eye of the Tiger), Tony
Joe White (Polk Salad Annie), and the Hudson Brothers. Among
the notable musicians who have sat in with the group include
singer/guitarist Peter Beckett and drummer, John Freisen of
the group “Player”; guitarist Peter Woodford of the
Doc Severinson NBC Orchestra; and blues guitarist, Coco Montoya.
After nearly twenty years in California, the 1994 Northridge
Earthquake became a catalyst for the return of the group’s
members to their hometown of Louisville, KY. Other musicians
that have performed with the band include drummers George Printice,
brother Joe Muench (now living in Jacksonville, FL), Los Angeles
drummers Bob Dion and David Logeman (Frank Zappa; Jan &
Dean). The group continues to write new music, perform live
shows and is enthusiastic about their future musical endeavors.
Contact us for more info
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