The Better Late Than Never Jug Band

The Better Late Than Never Jug Band evolved out of a bi-weekly Acoustic Jam started in the Fall of 2008 by our Bass player, Larry “Wings” Sribnick. Every other week, up to 22 musicians and about 35 listeners still get together in Bellport, New York for the Acoustic Jam.

It was at the Acoustic Jam that our singer, guitar, kazoo, and jug player, “Big” Mike Meyer and Rich Giannotti, our singer and guitar player, discovered that they both had a mutual love for Jug Band Music and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band from the ‘60’s in particular. That was the beginning of The Better Late Than Never Jug Band.

Big Mike “Big” Mike Meyer

Big Mike has been playing Acoustic Blues for many years. In fact, in 2004 he, and our Harmonica player Rob Bellassai, won the right to represent Long Island in the prestigious International Blues Challenge held in Memphis each year.

Rich Giannotti Rich Giannotti

Rich’s roots are in Bluegrass. He has played and sung for many years. While Big Mike was haunting coffee houses in New York, Rich was hanging out in coffee houses in Boston.

Angela Giannotti Angela Giannotti

Angela got her position as Singer and Washboard player with the band by sleeping with Rich! Actually, they’ve been married for 40 years and as you will hear, Angela is a wonderful singer and adds a lot to our music. She says the Washboard comes naturally to her because she played percussion in The Bishop Mac Donald High School Orchestra!

Rich Fuller Rich Fuller

Rich has been playing Bluegrass Fiddle and Mandolin for many years. He has a broad acoustic music background and fell into the Ragtime/Jug Band genre with little prompting.

Rob Bellasai Rob Bellassai

Rob is the second half of Big Mike And The Blue Streak. Primarily a Blues Harp player, Rob has taken to Jug Music easily and even takes over on the Jug when Big Mike is playing the Kazoo or is singing.

For more information, please contact Rich G.