Chicago Kingsnakes - Biographies
Jim "Ang" Anderson - Guitar and Lead Vocals
The Chicago Kingsnakes were formed in 1983 by guitarist / vocalist James “Ang” Anderson. He started playing guitar at the age of 8 on a homemade instrument crafted from a cigar box, rubber bands and thumb tacks. A lifelong resident of Chicago, he received his musical education on the city's infamous south side, at the Checkerboard lounge, and Theresa’s, where he played with the likes of guitar greats Buddy Guy, Lefty Dizz and Son Seals, harmonica legends James Cotton and Junior Wells and the Queen of The Blues, Koko Taylor.
James has toured the nation with Sun, Chess, Bobbin, Stax and Malaco recording artist Little Milton. Anderson also played guitar with Johnny Twist's Rocka-Boogie Blues Band touring the midwest for many years.
In 1992 The Kingsnakes befriended Byther Smith. The band has become "Smitty's" road band and has accompanied him on tours of the United States, Finland, The Netherlands and Canada. In addition they played on Byther's "I'm A Mad Man" CD on the Bullseye record label. On June 5th 1994 Byther Smith and The Kingsnakes performed on the Main Stage of the 11th Annual Chicago Bluesfest in Grant Park. This friendship is sustained by occasional tours with Byther.
In 1998 The Kingsnakes released a CD of original material entitled "Blues Island" . The disk was very well received by the press. Blues Revue, a national blues magazine, called Blues Island "Essential". Chicagoland's, The Beat, said "Blues Island magnificently captures the live feel and heart of blues in a studio setting".
In 2003, the band released “Grass Roots” an all acoustic CD. Blues On Stage called the disc, “An unplugged gem”, and went on to say, “this has all the elements of a Southern afternoon front porch jam and party with everything but the sound of friends whooping it up while dancing in the yard.” The Illinois Entertainer called the disc, “a fine down home effort.”
In 2011 the Chicago Kingsnakes released "Blue Mosaic", featuring 12 original compositions by Anderson. Blues Blast Magazine cited the record as "Chicago Blues at it's finest", American Blues Scene gave the disc 9 stars and commented "Chi-Town Blues as it should be played!"
James continues to perform both solo and with the band and averages over 100 dates a year.
James has toured the nation with Sun, Chess, Bobbin, Stax and Malaco recording artist Little Milton. Anderson also played guitar with Johnny Twist's Rocka-Boogie Blues Band touring the midwest for many years.
In 1992 The Kingsnakes befriended Byther Smith. The band has become "Smitty's" road band and has accompanied him on tours of the United States, Finland, The Netherlands and Canada. In addition they played on Byther's "I'm A Mad Man" CD on the Bullseye record label. On June 5th 1994 Byther Smith and The Kingsnakes performed on the Main Stage of the 11th Annual Chicago Bluesfest in Grant Park. This friendship is sustained by occasional tours with Byther.
In 1998 The Kingsnakes released a CD of original material entitled "Blues Island" . The disk was very well received by the press. Blues Revue, a national blues magazine, called Blues Island "Essential". Chicagoland's, The Beat, said "Blues Island magnificently captures the live feel and heart of blues in a studio setting".
In 2003, the band released “Grass Roots” an all acoustic CD. Blues On Stage called the disc, “An unplugged gem”, and went on to say, “this has all the elements of a Southern afternoon front porch jam and party with everything but the sound of friends whooping it up while dancing in the yard.” The Illinois Entertainer called the disc, “a fine down home effort.”
In 2011 the Chicago Kingsnakes released "Blue Mosaic", featuring 12 original compositions by Anderson. Blues Blast Magazine cited the record as "Chicago Blues at it's finest", American Blues Scene gave the disc 9 stars and commented "Chi-Town Blues as it should be played!"
James continues to perform both solo and with the band and averages over 100 dates a year.
Gus Gotsis - Drums and Vocals
Gus Gotsis has been performing professionally in the Chicago area over 30 years, playing everything from R & B, Soul, Blues, Jazz, Rock and Country. Starting 1979, he hit the Southern Rock circuit with The Hard Rain Band, playing clubs throughout the city. Next, Gus connected with Near Beer, a Southside roots rock band, working with them for 15 years.
Always a lover of the Blues, Gus was part of the original Little Whitey & The Castlerockers, a Southside favorite, playing regular gigs at famed Blues club Theresa’s. In 1993, Gus went back to his R&B roots, playing with The Blooze Brothers & Uptown Rhythm Express, a Jake & Elwood Tribute Band, mixing in Jump Swing, Jazz and Soul. In 1999, Gus helped form Undercover, a 13 piece R&B Soul Review, playing throughout Chicago, & booked annually on the Fox Stage at Taste of Chicago. Gus joined The Chicago Kingsnakes in February of 2005, and helps bring a solid shuffle and funky back beat grooves in the tradition of the great R&B drummers of the 50’s & 60’s.
Performing Experience
- Various Bands, Clubs, Restaurants, Halls…1973-1979
- Little Whitey & The Castlerockers-1982-1985
Skyway Records Recording Artist
- The Blooze Brothers & The Uptown Rhythm Express-1991-1997
Taste of Chicago, National Touring
- The Chicago Kingsnakes-2004-Present
Professional Experience
- Private Teaching/Drums/Percussion -1973-Present
- Apollo Music Inc.-Owner 2004-Present
School of Music located in Aurora, IL-Instruct all instruments and voice, all levels of instruction. Summer Art Camps, Acting/ Improvisation Workshops and Jazz/Rock Camp, Early Childhood Music & Movement Program, Special Needs Private Lessons.
Mike Bailey - Bass and Vocals
My first instrument were the drums. In 1965 I began formal lessons at Carnavales Music Store located about 3900 S. 63rd St. in Chicago,IL.. This was short lived because there were plenty of guitar players and drummers but no bass players and since I wanted to play in a band I switched to the bass guitar.
Bass instruction was very limited in those days so I played exclusively by ear. My first band was Little Michael and the Misfits. This was not because it was MY band but mainly we all liked how the name sounded and being the only band at St.Nicholas of Tolentine grammer school we were a lock for all the graduation partys. I worked on and off with local bands while attending St. Rita High high school and both Loop and Southwest Junior colleges. When I transferred to the University of Illinois my focus changed and I began studying to be a teacher majoring in Elementary Education and playing music went on the shelf. I didn’t get my degree but my love of music never waned. I was always going to the Jazz Showcase to see the great jazz players coming to town as well as fusion, rock and classical performances threw out the city.
It wasn’t till about 1992 that I seriously picked up my bass guitar again and began playing. I began by studying with local professionals, playing at my church, taking classes in jazz fundamentals, ear training and improvisation at the Bloom School of Jazz and, once again, performing and recording with local acts such as Guilty, The Karl Foxx Band, Deb Seitz and the Chicago Blues Posse and Billy King.
As of October 2010 I have become a permanent member of The Chicago Kingsnakes and can be seen with them at various venues in the Midwest.
Bass instruction was very limited in those days so I played exclusively by ear. My first band was Little Michael and the Misfits. This was not because it was MY band but mainly we all liked how the name sounded and being the only band at St.Nicholas of Tolentine grammer school we were a lock for all the graduation partys. I worked on and off with local bands while attending St. Rita High high school and both Loop and Southwest Junior colleges. When I transferred to the University of Illinois my focus changed and I began studying to be a teacher majoring in Elementary Education and playing music went on the shelf. I didn’t get my degree but my love of music never waned. I was always going to the Jazz Showcase to see the great jazz players coming to town as well as fusion, rock and classical performances threw out the city.
It wasn’t till about 1992 that I seriously picked up my bass guitar again and began playing. I began by studying with local professionals, playing at my church, taking classes in jazz fundamentals, ear training and improvisation at the Bloom School of Jazz and, once again, performing and recording with local acts such as Guilty, The Karl Foxx Band, Deb Seitz and the Chicago Blues Posse and Billy King.
As of October 2010 I have become a permanent member of The Chicago Kingsnakes and can be seen with them at various venues in the Midwest.