Artist description Cidy Zoo is a hard rocking, bluesy group that performs with a mix of onstage humor and rock vigor. Singer/Songwriter/Lead guitarist Bill Toll is currently starring in the Tony nominated musical "Pump Boys and Dinettes".

Music Style Bluesy, Southern(ish), Classic Pop/Rock

Musical Influences Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Classic Blues Artists

Similar Artists Seger, ZZ Top-meets-The Eagles, The Knack, Commander Cody, Stones.

Artist History Artist Bill Toll is a “bluesy” electric guitarist who has been a regular Mid-Michigan clubs. Toll is also known for his ventures into theatre and performing arts, particularly as an improv comedy performer/director and as a founding member of the alternative Buckham Alley Theatre. Hailing from the boom or bust, rusty automobile capital of the world, Flint, MI, (made infamous by the movie Roger & Me). The debut recording from Cidy Zoo is entitled Something for Everyone. The album was the result of a chance meeting between the artist and independent record producer, J.D. Dudick from South Lyon, MI., at a music industry conference. The two then assembled musicians and put together a collection of songs that reflected Toll’s unique background in theatre and his distinctive guitar playing and songwriting. The recordings were done in the 24-track South Lyon studios of RUFFCUT Productions. Toll continues to direct and perform with the Back Alley Players Comedy Improv Troupe. He is currently starring in the Tony nominated musical "Pump Boys and Dinettes". The recording was mastered in Hollywood, CA by Steve Hall, known for his work with Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction, Tom Petty, Madonna, Rod Stewart and the Pulp Fiction Soundtrack.

Group Members Bill Toll: Guitars, Lead Vocals, Music, Lyrics... J.D. Dudick: Bass, Vocals... Mike Smith: Drums... Guest Artists; Sylvia Pittman: Background Vocals... Harmonica: Roger Russo... The Dryden Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble with Roland Artuno... Guitarists: Larry Daly and Craig Standridge... Bass guitarists: Chett Savage and Geff Gale... Drums: Jamie Conquest... Piano: Julie Rupple...

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Harmonica, Brass, Cello

Albums Something for Everyone

Press Reviews “It’s real diverse and it sound very good, I’m damn impressed, this is a helluva package. I can’t say enough about the album” Andre Peters - WWBN Banana 101.7 FM... “A classy mature sound that satisfies me”, Tony LaBrie - WINGS 103.1 FM... “This album doesn’t suck”, Larry Thompson - (fmr.) Executive director, Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... “ Toll has been gifted with more than his share of creative energy... (and) strong blues guitar skills”, Shawn Humphrey - The Flint Journal... The Flint Journal has also called Bill Toll “wonderfully funny” and his music” refreshing and well performed”... Ground Zero Entertainment described the group as “Sensational!” and added “very cool tremolo guitar, really cool blues. Great stuff”... Something for Everyone is an apt title for this album in that, through the band’s repertoire of original ballads, blues, and straight ahead rock, they cover a lot of musical terrian. From the opening cut “Hold Me Girl” to the closer “Punks,” the band spins tales of relationships, love lost and found, and general slices of life. Although they hail from Flint, Michigan, lead singer and guitarist Bill Toll posseses the spirit of the south and southwest U.S. The music swings, the melodies flow, and the guitars chime with a sound akin to the southern-fried rock of bands like early ZZ Top, Little Feat, and the Allman Brothers. ~ Eric Harabadian (Geoff Wilburs Renegade Newsletter, Nov. 1998).... Sounds like country rock, southern rock, western rock, or southwestern rock. That narrows it down pretty well. “Hold Me Girl” actually sounds like The Knack. “Talk Louder” is reminiscent of Commander Cody (you’re getting old, Bob), or ’50s southern rock. (Commander Cody is from the ’60s - I’m not that old.) “Dreams Die Hard” sounds like something you’d hear at night on the range. As I describe these tunes, I will add here that they are all good, so far - but no hits yet. “Angelina” is a hit, southwestern punk (new Bob category number 7). “Kept Woman” is good ’ol country rock. “Firewall” is (new Bob category #8) western punkabilly. Check out the super oscillating vibrato bar. Track seven sounds like it could be a Stones renaissance acoustic instrumental. I think I hear a clavichord or harpsichord. The card says there is a timpani in there. “After You Left Me” could be Seger soft rock. “Buick City Blues” has a sort of blues sound. “’65 Tempest” is ZZ Top-meets-The Eagles. The last tune is another good country rock tune. Cidy Zoo is a must for any serious country rock collector. If the songs don’t get you, the categories will. ~ Bob D. (Jam Rag Magazine - vol. XIII February, 1998)....

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Location Flint, Michigan - USA

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