Our Story
Jim Shirey is a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist with East Texas roots. He has toured and/or recorded with a long list of artists including the Collins Kids, Larry Hosford, Steve Gillette, Mary Kay Place and Leon Russell. Mentored early on by session bassist Ray Pohlman, Jim played on a number of LA film, television and recording sessions in the 70's and 80's and remains active as a session musician and producer. Working with CBS records, Jim's band Drivin' Sideways was tapped as the touring and recording band for TV star Mary Kay Place, and toured with Willie Nelson. Later, Jim worked in new artist development at Warner Curb Records, producing demos and working with established artists including Susie Allanson, Pat and Debby Boone and Pia Zadora. Following his stint with Warner/Curb, Jim went on to become a member of the Midnight Riders. After the Riders, Jim was in notorious Los Guys with Chris Darrow, Pope Firman and Roy Durnal. Recently, Jim has worked with The Hangan Brothers, Robb Strandlund, Bernie Pearl Blues Band and Kern Richards. Jim's new band, the Faith Healers, is rapidly becoming a West Coast favorite, with expanding dates and destinations covering the coast, south/southwest, Hawaii and Mexico (so far).
Guitarist Joe Jewell, who joins the Faith Healers on their debut record, says: "This is a great bunch of very experienced and soulful musicians - I'm having a ball with them...It's a very Muscle Shoals kind of sound." The Faith Healers are rounded out by veterans Homero Chavez, drums; John Selk, bass, vocals; Alex Del Zoppo, keyboards, harmonica, vocals; along with newcomers Ryan Seward, guitar and Elizabeth Selk, vocals. Joining the Healers for northern Cal dates are bay area stalwarts Lindsey Boullt and Stephen Silver, along with keyboardist/singer/songwriter Ben Shirey.
The Faith Healers debut album is set for October 2015 release, accompanied by new videos, mp3's and merchandise. Stay tuned and watch this band catch fire. Be ready for some Healin'.
Musician Bios...
Homero Chavez - Drums/Percussion
Homero Chavez is a noted music educator, nominated for the first-ever education Grammy in 2014. He is an internationally regarded session drummer/percussionist and is a master of the percussion instrument El Cajon. Homero is a prolific session player and producer, working with a variety of American and international artists including Michelle Shocked, Bopol Masiana (Zaire), Los Cojolites (Vera Cruz, Mexico), Bateke (Congo), The Mandators (Nigeria), Blue Mambo (USA), and Mexican pop sensation Viola Trigo. Homero currently performs and records with the Carl Schaffer Quintet and is founder and leader of LA Latin Jazz stalwarts Una Noche. He also serves as an instructor for Claremont Community School of Music and the Claremont Unified School District. He hosts bi-weekly percussion workshops in Los Angeles for Remo/RMC, and, is the rhythmic backbone of the Faith Healers - the undisputed master of feel, groove and backbeat.
Alex DelZoppo - Keyboards, Harmonica, Vocals
Alex DelZoppo is well known as the leader/singer/songwriter/keyboardist for the legendary band Sweetwater. Sweetwater appeared at Woodstock and major festivals worldwide, touring prolifically during the 60's and 70's. They recorded 3 albums for Warner Bros./Reprise Records. In 1999 Sweetwater was the subject of Viacom's initial rock documentary; "Sweetwater - a True Rock Story". During production of the documentary, VH1 also made a video of one of Alex' earliest Sweetwater songs, "In a Rainbow". Alex has also performed and/or recorded with the Beach Boys, Donovan, Eric Burdon, Gene Clark of the Byrds, John Belan of the Flying Burrito Bros, Patrice Zappa and Severin Browne. He is a prolific songwriter and is busy as a master teacher, mentoring other writers as host of the LA Songwriters Co-op and is a founder of songwritersvantage.com, a web-based writers community. Alex brings a wealth of talent, experience and incredible energy to his work as keyboardist and vocalist for the Faith Healers.
Joe Jewell - Guitar
Dr. Joe Jewell is an accomplished guitarist and educator,completing his Doctor of Music Arts in Jazz Guitar Performance at USC, where he was Pi Kappa Lambda's outstanding doctoral graduate. Joe has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony and numerous orchestras and ensembles. Joe's studio credits include numerous motion picture and television soundtracks and rock, Jazz, classical and pop cd's. His remarkable stylistic versatility keeps him in demand as a first call session player in LA studios. Dr. Jewell was head of Guitar Studies at State University of New York, Oswego for 9 years, and is currently Tenured Professor of Guitar and Commercial Music Studies at Fullerton College. Joe brings his brilliant and unique combination of intensity, versatility, drive and grit to his stellar work as guitarist for the Faith Healers.
John Selk - Bass, Vocals
John Selk is a veteran LA session musician. His long career dates back to high school in Oklahoma City where he was in a band with the late great Jesse Ed Davis and Grammy-winning drummer John Ware. Later, John moved to LA, where he rejoined Jesse Ed. John performed and or recorded with numerous folk, pop, rock and country artists in the 60's, 70's and 80's including Donovan, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Tillotson, Davis, Rose Maddox, and many others. John toured and recorded 5 albums with arena rocker Walter Egan for Columbia/CBS Records, during the 70's and 80's. As a member of the Rank Strangers with Chris Darrow and Robb Strandlund, John was nominated for a Grammy in 1982. He has played on numerous record, film and television dates and remains an in-demand bassist in LA studios. John is the musical backbone and rock-steady bottom end for the Faith Healers.