Nip ‘n’ Tuck was born in 1976 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and consisted of Gary Rue (guitar/vocal), Jeff Willkomm, bass/vocal), Tilly (drums/vocal) and (later) Terry Isachsen (guitar/vocal). The group was heavily influenced by pop idols of the time: Todd Rundgren, The Raspberries, and termed a ‘melodic rock band’ by the local press (with which the band agreed). Another in a long list of bands who were ‘this close’ then inexplicably disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle of pop history.

But wait! Now they’re back! From the press corps, circa 1976:

“Nip ‘n’ Tuck is blindingly good……reminiscent of the Lovin’ Spoonful and the

Who…”

“…rock and roll in the best Anglo-American tradition, and headed for the top.”

~Metropolis, April 12, 1977

“…the most impressive selections…are the band’s original compositions…catchy but tasteful, melody-oriented but rock rhythmed, containing melodic and lyrical substance too often lacking in the pop tunes receiving AM radio overplay.” ~P. L. Christian

“…to get (that) full of a sound from a 3 piece is nothing short of amazing…”

“Close harmonies, strong hooks, endearing melodies all charged up and ready to go with backbones of real rock energies…no one else I’ve heard on a local level touches them on their own territory.”

~Laura Fissinger (freelance writer for, among others, Rolling Stone)

What they’ve been up to since 1977:

Gary Rue: Rue Nouveau, Gene Pitney (music director), theatrical composer, ‘jingle writer, songwriter (Nick Lowe, Helen Reddy), 2010 Inductee Mid America Hall of Fame, 2010 MN Music Hall of Fame.

Jeff Willkomm: Hermit’n Hermits, Gene Pitney, Lou Christy, Trova, 10 November/Gales of November (theater), educator.

Tilly: 2 time inductee into the Minnesota R N R Hall of Fame (Sleepers & City Mouse), Department of Defense USO musical representative, backing musician for the Coasters, Platters, Marvelettes and Gene Pitney

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Hailey is a 19-year-old indie-folk singer-songwriter from Williston, Vermont. She currently studies at McNally Smith College of Music in Saint Paul, MN as a Songwriting/Composition major. Her vocals are sweet and sassy, accompanied by her skills on piano, ukulele and guitar. With influences from Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, The Head & The Heart, and Coldplay, Hailey’s indie-folk songwriting is easy-listening for all ears.

https://www.reverbnation.com/haileywardmusic

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“Ben Vanden Boogaard is a singer/songwriter homegrown from a Dutch village in Little Chute, Wisconsin. His love for music was imminent at a young age and has grown over the years with the influences of Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Ed Sheeran, and John Mayer, among countless others. As a result, he produces heartfelt songs that combine elements of clever wordplay, dynamic hooks, and emotionally relatable content. Ben channels personal experiences and emotions into timeless songs that can extract feelings of nostalgia and grandeur from any listener. He aspires to make a difference in the lives of those who listen to him, and his music is on the cusp of something special.”

https://www.facebook.com/Ben.VB.Music