Klick Band Celebrates 100th Show Anniversary at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille

A Craigslist No Name Band has Grown into an Area Favorite

Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille opened on New Year’s Eve in 2016. Ever since that night local, live music has been playing to the delight of its customers. With music playing nightly Monday-Saturday and a Blues Brunch on the 4th Sunday of every month, the band line-up is impressive, each having a following of locals seeking out a place to listen and dance to music. One such band, The Klick Band, is a regular at Mattison’s. They first took the stage in early 2017 and on March 23rd, 2019 they will celebrate their 100th performance of playing at Mattison’s. A celebration is planned to commemorate the occasion. Mattison’s will feature a new Bar Bites menu available from 3:30-6:30 at the bar and cocktail tables. Chef Scott Cardenas is planning some delicious dinner specials and the restaurant will feature a special anniversary cocktail. Of course, there will be cake and singing of Happy Anniversary to the band.

The Klick band appeals to a wide variety of ages and music genre preferences because, like the band itself, their play list is made up of a little bit of everything. According to Chuck Church, band manager and bass player, “Three years ago when the band formed, we considered calling ourselves the ‘Craigslist Band’, because we came together after each guy answered an ad on Craigslist.” The 5-member band is comprised of a mix of various backgrounds and occupations – an electrician, airline pilot, real estate agent, a small business owner and an attorney. Church states, “We soon realized we had very little in common except for our love of music and when we jammed, we just ‘Klicked’! Thus, the name THE KLICK BAND was selected.” Church continues, “Each member of the band strives for perfection in their music. Our biggest compliment came from a fan who said, ‘You guys are great! You sound just like the record!’ Our set list runs the gamut from the Beatles to ZZ Top, and almost everything in between.”

The band recognizes the unique opportunity they were given as a new band without an established reputation. Church says, “The Klick Band sincerely wants to thank Paul Mattison for believing in our band and for giving us our first start almost three years ago.” Although unknown as a band, the five members are experienced musicians. The band has a combination of over 150 years of musical experience. “Due to Paul Mattison giving us a chance, the band has now flourished into a fixture in the Bradenton-Sarasota music scene. We have played in front of over 2.500 people at the Music on Main Street event, various country clubs and other nightclubs. But we consider Mattison’s Our Home! We also want to thank Liz Fridenberg, Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille general manager for being so great to work with. The entire band thinks the world of Liz and the staff at Mattison’s.”

Mattison’s and The Klick Band invites everyone to join in celebrating the 100th Anniversary appearance on March 23rd from 7pm-11pm. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 941-896-9660.

Band Bio

Bio of Chuck Church. Bass player, vocals and band manager

Chuck Church grew up in Amityville, Long Island. He grew up in a musical family, as his Dad played piano for Lawrence Welk and there were Jam secessions at the house most weekends. Chuck was inspired to learn the guitar after seeing the Beatles live at Shay Stadium in NY as a child. All thru High School and College, Chuck played rhythm guitar and piano in various bands in the area. After graduating from USF, Chuck moved to St Louis for his “day” job as a commercial airline pilot, Chuck retired a few years ago, after 40 years as a senior wide body Captain, for American Airlines. Now, he is loving his life as the bass player for the KLICK Band. “This band is fun”.

Bio of Steve Barbagallo. Lead guitar player and vocals.

Grew up in NYC and started playing piano at age 5, picked up the guitar at 13 years old.
Early influences were classical music, 50’s rock and roll, and classic rock.
Studied music theory and plays classical / flamenco guitar in spare time.
Started first band at 15 years old.
Played in multiple music style bands through the years including reggae, jazz-fusion, surf, classic rock and 80’s hard rock.
Taught guitar and music theory for about 10 years in private and group sessions in Los Angeles.
Ran a recording / lesson studio in L.A. before moving to Florida in 2015.
Started the Klick Band with bassist Chuck Church after placing add on Craigslist looking for “fun” rock and dance band.

Bio of David Becker. Second lead guitar and vocals.

David grew up in the swamps of Jersey listening to his musical hero, Bruce Springsteen. After catching The Boss live, Dave caught the bug and saved up for the same Fender Tele he plays today. Though music has always been his passion, it wasn’t until 2011 when his wife, Rina, sent him to Rock ‘N Roll Fantasy Camp that he got serious about joining a Rock ‘N Roll Band again. Lawyer by day and musician by night, Dave has cherished his time with The Klick Band.

Bio of Doug Rivera. Lead Singer

In the early 70’s at the age of 16, I started entertaining professionally in and around Waikiki and Honolulu. I also entertained 6 nights a week as the lead singer in a popular band called The Glass Candle. We performed at Duke Kahanamoku’s which was in The International Market Place and was the largest venue in Waikiki at the time.
In the mid 70’s I had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the States with Liz Damon’s Orient Express and audition for Bob Hope’s next USO tour. After my featured solo, he was introduced on stage and he said, “nice job young man.” I almost dropped to the floor!
I left the music business in the late 70’s to raise my family and I returned to music in 2016 to join The Klick Band.

Bio of David Flewelling. Drummer and vocals.

“Flew “, was born in San Diego, California 61 years old, been playing drums since he was 10 yrs. old. Played in local bands including ‘The people movers’, which was a San Diego legend for having the best players in town and producing the lead singer for Chicago, and the top LA studio bass player, Nathan east. Dave then went on the road and played all over the world in shows bands ‘coast to coast’ and later ‘NRG’. Locations include England, France, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and all over the USA. Played on the road again with Willy Nelson in Hollywood, Florida, opened for Glen Campbell, Rod Stewart, Sheryl crow, Chicago, and Wynona Judd. Played you’ll never find with Lou Rawls, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Flew is married, with 2 kids, and had been living in Sarasota for 3 yrs. He loves singing and playing with the Klick Band, the first all guy band since he was 17.

For more information on the event, Mattison’s or the Klick Band Check out their website here! or call 941-896-9660.

Mattison’s Riverwalk, Downtown Bradenton, located at 101 Riverfront Blvd., offers open air dining for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The wide variety of menu items focus on locally sourced produce, antibiotic and hormone free beef and poultry and fresh ingredients. Mattison’s Riverwalk offers live, local music and is a moderately priced restaurant with simple and creative food, carefully-selected wines, a full bar with Happy Hour and comfortable service in a warm and lively atmosphere.

Photos by The Klick Band.