The Shams Band

Music is supposed to be fun, exciting, thought-provoking and daring. With every live performance, The Shams Band makes sure that their ever-growing audience leaves each event with a personal feeling of satisfaction. Drawing heavily on their Wilco, Stones, Smokey Robinson, and John Lee Hooker influences, singer/songwriters Biggins/Gulyas/Patterson create distinct, personal songs. Once united with the full group, the songs come to life, tell stories, and send audiences singing on their way home.

Although it’s only been a year, The Shams Band has opened for national touring acts: The Avett Brothers and David Grisman. They are slated to participate in the second annual Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival, featuring six-time Grammy winner Bela Fleck at the Congress Theater on December 12th, 2009. With their catchy hooks and a do-it-yourself attitude, the four-piece band is fast becoming a main stay in the Chicago music scene.

Donnie Biggins recently gathered a group of midwestern musicians together to create the “Chicago Roots Collective;” a collaboration of musicians working together to get their music heard. The CRC is complete with established bands, such as Mike Mangione, Cobalt and the Hired Guns, and Todd Kessler, with The Shams Band leading their journey to reach the masses.