This Old Bear is a six-piece Nashville-based band that weaves elements of folk, blues, and rockabilly together with their throwback classic country sensibilities. Anchored by singer/songwriter and guitarist Tommy Havell, This Old Bear jumped onto the Nashville music scene in 2011 after Tommy got sick of being the only one playing impromptu concerts at casual gatherings, bonfires, wedding receptions, etc. Since then, TOB has played at 12th & Porter, The Rutledge, Ninth Avenue Loft, and the East Nashville Tomato Arts Fest (hence the Tomato Song) in addition to becoming a staple at The Green Wagon’s block parties and community events.
Now let’s meet the Bear family!
Tommy Havell is originally from Maryland and has the accent to prove it. While Tommy mostly does rhythm guitar, vocals, and harmonica for TOB, you can hear his mad piano skills on the album version of “Love You Because You.” But wait, ladies—this Renaissance man also scored a 30 on his MCAT.
ABOUT THIS OLD BEAR
TOB’s rhythm section is comprised of Nashville natives Jake Nemer on drums and Jay Harbison on bass. If you need legal counsel, just track down one of these gentleman/scholar/athlete/Juris Doctors. (Well, actually, just talk to Jake for now. Jay has two years of law school left to go.) Jake is already hard at work on a metal This Old Bear cover album. Jay, a seasoned competitive swimmer, recently beat Tommy soundly in a swimming race, which might seem more glorious if he hadn’t already beaten cancer.
On lead guitar is Cal Alexander, a consistently dapper dresser and another of Nashville’s favorite sons. Cal, formerly of L.A.-based Mr. Adventures fame, moved back to Music City last summer, and we’re awfully glad to have him. He will deliver on the smoky tones, and you don’t even have to tip. Tips are, however, appreciated.
Vocals and banjo credits go the band’s Midwestern contingent. Charlie Fenner, a seasoned world-traveler hailing from Wisconsin (Go Badgers! Gronk, Gronk!), takes care of business on banjo and backing vocals. Really high backing vocals.
Megan Minarich brings in a hint of polka on accordion, as is appropriate for a Chicagoland native. She also sings back-up and plays tambourine. Megan is finishing her dissertation at Vanderbilt on censorship in classical Hollywood contraception flicks, which explains why she dresses like she does, won’t shut up about abortion, and yells at the boys for being indecent.
This Old Bear recently recorded their debut album, Doomed from the Start, at Welcome to 1979, an analog recording studio in Nashville; it is now available on compact disc and on iTunes. Click here to download.
