Local Band to Open for James Brown’s Iconic Bassist Fred Thomas at The Falcon

One band from the 845 has been offered a gig of a lifetime! The Hudson Valley's own 7he 7eam will be opening for Fred Thomas, veteran member of James Brown's backing band. The event will be held at The Falcon in Marlboro at 7pm on Thursday, March 24th. I asked 7he 7eam how they got such a prestigious opportunity, they told me that they did the Thanksgiving Eve show last year. They had left such an impression on the management and owners that the owner pitched them to Fred Thomas as an opener for this show on Thursday. It just goes to show that you don't know how one action can impact what is to come.

According to his Wikipedia, Fred Thomas is an American bassist best known for his work with James Brown for over thirty years. He performed on many R&B hits over the decades. Since Brown's death in 2006, Thomas transitioned back to fronting his own band, and has collaborated with numerous artists since.

I've had the pleasure to share the stage and see 7he 7eam perform a couple times now. One of my favorite things that I have seen them do is their mashup of Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud," and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." That, and they have a killer rendition of Sly & The Family Stone's "Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself, Again." Besides that, they have no shortage of James Brown content and inspiration, from the music to their look to their stage show and more. I had a chance to sit down with the front man of 7he 7eam, Big Bad Baragon, about the upcoming show. He says they are all excited and honored to opening for such a legend.

In addition to being my favorite artist, I believe James Brown is the singular most influential artist of all time. He is unanimously credited with the invention of funk, and his the most sampled artist of all time. These are facts, not my personal opinion. And to be playing with someone [Fred Thomas] who is an integral part of that legacy is a blessing that we are forever indebted to Lee Falco, and the good folks at the establishment founded by his late father, the great Tony Falco, for.

In regards to the line up of band members we will be seeing on Thursday, he had this introduction of everyone that was as energetic and soulful as their music to give:

Well first we got the Fly Guy Eli on sax, Money Making Marquis on the bass, Darius is on keys- and for my money he’s the best there is- Will, who is very tall, is on the drums, and myself, Big Bad Baragon on guitar, harmonica and whatever else I have to play when one of the guys doesn’t come to work.

As for where they are all from, 7he 7eam's members come from all over the 845. They primarily rehearse in Newburgh, and much of their latest gigs have been in and around New Paltz. As for the name of the band, Big Bad Baragon told me that it came from his high school click. As far as becoming an actual band, he assembled this line up out of the "illest cats" he met while being involved in various projects.

I said that this show is going to be one for the record books, but I also asked what memories from prior shows stick out to him

 Something interesting is always happening, for example, a couple got engaged at our Valentines day show and that was really cool. But we strive to create memories for the audience, so come out to a show so you’ll have some stories of your own!

Again, this next show is at the Falcon, in Marlboro, opening for the legendary Fred Thomas (James Brown’s bass player from the early 70s until his death) on Thursday, March 24^th, at 7pm. 7he 7eam also has Big Bad Baragon's Birthday Party show at Snugs, in New Paltz, July 16^th. They’ll have plenty of shows in between that, though, including an every-other-weekend residency at Lola’s Café, in New Paltz. Stay up-to-date with everything 7he 7eam on their Instagram page.