Nickie Stevens Stevie Nicks (vocals/guitar)
Brad Torchin Lindsey Buckingham (vocals/guitar)
Lee Edwards Christine McVie (vocals)
Joel Kaplan Christine McVie’s hands (keys)
Jason Meadows John McVie (bass)
Mike Adler Mick Fleetwood (only much shorter!)
A Little Background:
Nickie has been impersonating Stevie for many years. Instead of just “acting” like Stevie on stage however, she delivers a truly honest, heartfelt performance. As a prolific songwriter herself, Nickie understands what it means to share her personal thoughts with an audience. She takes great care in being true to Stevie’s art. While the band’s original intent was to play covers, they are beginning to work with Nickie in the studio recording her catalog. A CD will probably follow sometime late 2007.
Brad joined the band under the premise that it was going to emphasize Hearts music. He’d played for many years in bands in Southern California and was a huge Heart fan. Coincidentally, Brad bears a striking resemblance to Lindsey Buckingham. After hearing Brad play and sing a few Lindsey tunes, the band was convinced they needed to focus on Fleetwood Mac. The guy really does a convincing Lindsey. They proceeded to lie to Brad telling him, “Oh, we’re going to get to those Heart tunes real soon”. A few years and a lot of Fleetwood Mac songs later, life started to imitate art. The new “Stevie and Lindsey” became an item and Nickie and Brad are now happily married. You think they’re taking this tribute thing a little too seriously????
Lee is Wildhearts diamond, and definitely not in the rough! On a number of occasions in her musical career, Lee has come close to breaking into the big-time. She was even selected to perform on Star Search with Ed McMahon but had to decline because she just had a baby! Talk about bad timing! While singing the Christine McVie songs is fun for Lee, it doesn’t come close to showing her immense talent. In Wildhearts “Women Of Rock” show, she covers everyone from Janis Joplin & Nancy Wilson of Heart to Melissa Ethridge. Lee is a truly spectacular vocalist. If you get a chance to see Wildheart live, don’t miss her version of Songbird. It’ll leave you speechless!
Joel is the bands most seasoned (read that as oldest!) member. People often wonder how a piano player that looks a lot like Michael McDonald ended up in a Fleetwood Mac Tribute; maybe it’s because he can’t sing like Michael?
While the inclusion of a separate keyboard player strays from the original FM lineup, it fits with the current touring version sans Christine. Besides, Joel is an incredible musician and his playing style brings a whole new dimension to the show. His specialty is New Orleans rock & roll and Boogie-Woogie piano. You have to hear it when he cuts loose during the show!
Jason fits the John McVie mold perfectly. He is a terrifically solid and versatile bass player that loves to groove. Considering the fact that John McVie has probably never spoken to an audience during a concert, Jason is the perfect McVie. He is by nature a quiet, low-key guy, and like McVie, he never says a word on stage. They say it’s the quiet guys you have to keep you eye on! Jason has spent many years on the road with a lot of bands. His experience on stage gives the band a tremendously solid feel. On top of that, Jason is an experienced live sound engineer. His knowledge of mixing bands has helped us many times on the job.
Mike rounds out the rhythm section. This guy is an amazingly solid drummer. Even though he’s a full foot shorter than Mick Fleetwood, he manages to put out just as big a sound on those drums (Mike swears he’s the same height as Mick. The band is consulting a therapist about the situation). Considering Mike is a die-hard Led Zeppelin fan, we were surprised he jumped at the chance to join the band. Although, there did seem to be some confusion on his part as to exactly who Fleetwood Mac was (This inside joke is explained in a video segment on the upcoming DVD).
Inspired By Fleetwood Mac:
Like most bands, Wildheart has evolved over its time together. It’s player’s come from very diverse backgrounds. And like most musicians, the members of Wildheart have individually taken a shot at fame many times over the years. Writing, recording, gigging, writing, recording, gigging etc. At a certain point as a musician, you realize that it's probably not going to happen. Finding a way to keep working and enjoy the process becomes the goal. As a Fleetwood Mac Tribute, this group of professional players has found a great balance. They nail the Fleetwood Mac sound cold and still find time to pursue individual goals.
Of all the members, Nickie is the one that brings the true FM/Stevie sensibility to the show. She has been a huge fan over the years and takes great pride in representing their music accurately. They are the only Mac tribute we’ve seen in the States that has a realistic Stevie AND Lindsey, and they just happen to be husband and wife!
If talent and dedication to the Fleetwood Mac sound wasn’t enough, the members of Wildheart have a very special quality they bring to their audiences. They’re actually normal, easygoing people (well, we probably shouldn’t dwell on the normal part). The girls are warm, generous performers that love sharing the stage with the band and meeting the FM fans. No superstar Diva attitudes here. The audience can pick that up from them. It makes for a very personal, intimate show.
-Joel Kaplan
Much Love From Wildheart:
“We want to thank all the Fleetwood Mac fans that have come out to see and support us. We get a great deal of satisfaction performing the Fleetwood Mac catalog and truly appreciate how special it is to share it with all of you”.
“Special thanks to Jan and the fmlegacy website for their support. Is this the coolest website or what”!
-Joel Kaplan
DVD On The Way:
While the band doesn’t have an original disc to hawk at the moment, they are currently completing production on a live concert DVD of their Fleetwood Mac show. It was shot at one of the West Coasts coolest venues, the OC Pavilion. It should be available to buy in 2007. Check in at the Wildheart website periodically for release updates. A CD version will most likely be available as well.
Sample WILDHEART:
Rhiannon
Songbird
Edge Of Seventeen
Go Your Own Way
Check Out Our Former Fandjangos:
White Widow (New York, NY)--
Gliem (Saskatchewan, Canada)--
Fumble Fingers (Orange County, CA)
Coffee House Gypsies (Miami, FL)--
If you or your band would like to be featured on FanDjango!, kindly send the following to us via E-mail:
*Who You Are.
Give us your name, city/state/province/country, and LegBoard Screen Name if you have one.
You are more than welcome to tell us more than that if you'd like. The more you send us, the more we'll post.
*Tell us briefly how the Mac (or one of its members) inspired you.
*Representation of Your Band's Work (i.e. MP3s - live and studio)
*Link to Your Website/home page and/or email address.
