PAT SMILLIE
E-mail: pat@patsmillie.com
Born in Detroit, MI on Valentines Day, Pat Smillie, was the first of two children born to young parents Ronald (an iron worker) and Rose Marie Smillie (an administrative assistant at General Motors). Some of Pat's earliest musical influences included Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, and classic Detroit-based artists such as Bob Seger, The Temptations (especially Dennis Edwards), Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Mitch Ryder.
In 1996, Pat accepted a Wednesday night residency at The Checkerboard Lounge. He performed there every Wednesday night for well over a year. Later that year, Pat opened for r&b vocalist, Andre Williams during his comeback performance at The Beat Kitchen. Williams co-wrote such soul music classics as "Shake Your Tail Feather" and Alvin Cash's "Twine Time". Over the years, Pat Smillie has served as a supporting act for blues legends such as Koko Taylor, Bobby Rush, and original "Blues Brother" Dan Aykroyd (who performed with Jim Belushi). More recently, the band opened shows for Grammy award winner, Robert Cray Band, and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band.
In 2001, Chicago R&B legend Tyrone Davis joined the band on stage during a gig at the Lexus Social Club on Chicago's west side. Pat and his background vocalists provided back-up vocals for Mr. Davis as he performed "Turning Point", "Turn Back the Hands of Time", and "Mom's Apple Pie". The evening remains one of the highlights of Pat's musical career. The Pat Smillie Band also performed on both the 2003 and 2005 Chicago Blues Festivals.
In November 2011, Smillie embarked on his first European tour. Over the course of 3 weeks, Pat and his band performed 20 shows across three countries (Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia) including a performance at the 2011 Blues Alive Festival (in Sumperk, CZ) - the biggest blues festival in Central Europe.