Bare Facts

OTHER BANDS NAMED BARE FACTS: For the sixties Portsmouth, Ohio garage rock band, see The Bare Facts. For the 1980s Canadian band, see Bare Facts (2). For the sixties Indiana garage rock group, see The Bare Facts (3). This Bare Facts was a Springhill, Louisiana bases blue-eyed soul act, formed 1966 and disbanded 1969. The band's biggest exposure likely came with a second place showing on national talent show HAPPENING '68 (a sort of American Idol precursor hosted by Mark Lindsey and Paul Revere) and a spot on Dick Clark's "Caravan of Stars" nationwide tour opening for The Animals, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Five Americans, Question Mark & the Mysterians, and Bobby Vee. Band lineup: Michael May (full name: Michael Wayne May), Bass; Curtis Robertson, Drums; Bob Burns, Keyboards; Wayne Nippers, Guitar; Jerry Blake & Dave Baldridge, Trumpets Bare Facts retooled that same year leaving the R&B behind in favor of Southern rock. Michael May was the only R&B member who remained, this time on keys. Along with May were bassist Ron Keene, guitarist Roger Smith, and drummer Jon Bryan. Mike Crowell was briefly a member on guitar. Bryan left the band with members reshuffling as follows: May took over drum duties, Smith became keyboardist and Bill Wise and Mike Hildebrand came aboard on twin lead guitars. At some point prior to 1973, the band changed names to Roadhouse to emphasize a southern rock "brand" and sever ties with the blue-eyed soul image. In 1973, Due to some confusion with the soul version of the Bare Facts, May and Hildebrand departed with new members Andy Brinkley on guitar, Mike Smith on keyboards, and Bryce Riggins on drums coming aboard.