Project Description

The Bob Cats, a celebrated Woodstock based band performing Bob Dylan’s music, bring their thrilling jam/rock show to one of Long Island’s most storied venues, My Father’s Place on August 24.  LI/NYC singer/songwriter Alyson Faith will open the show, performing her anthemic rock originals with ace guitarist John Putnam.

Steeped in the rich history of Dylan’s Woodstock days collaborating with The Band, The Bob Cats deliver authentic renditions of his classic songs – performed in the spirit of touchstone Dylan eras, such as the fiery 1966 ‘Dylan Goes Electric’ tour, and the exuberance of the 1975-76 Rolling Thunder concerts.

Legendary rock drummer Jerry Marotta – who played on classic records by Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates and Elvis Costello, just to name a few – propels The Bob Cats with his undeniable groove.  Life-long Dylan interpreters Doug Yoel and Kyle Esposito dig deep into the lyric and vocal performance of these classic tunes.  Kyle is the band’s resident guitar hero, whose roots-rock style contains echoes of Jerry Garcia and Robbie Robertson, with epic dynamics that are all his own.  Bruce Milner – who’s picture hangs in the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame with his 60’s folk-rock band, Every Mother’s Son – plays piano and organ, and sings beautifully in the group.  Rob Stein – first call pedal steel player, and close associate of the Bob Dylan band – adds a layer of dreaminess with his instrumental mastery, and local favorite Chuck Cornelis lays down an authoritative bass groove.

The Long Island roots for The Bob Cats run deep.  Jerry Marotta’s first show with Hall & Oates happened to be at the original My Father’s Place in the late 70’s.  “I stopped the show… Literally!” explains Marotta.  “When they asked me to play a solo, I came to the front of the stage and sang one of their songs.  Daryl gave me a look at first – like ‘you’re so fired!’  But by the end of it, both Hall and Oates were harmonizing with me!”

Doug Yoel was born and raised in the Huntington area, and began performing Bob Dylan’s music in the clubs in the mid-1990’s.  He spoofed Bob Dylan regularly on “The Opie Show” on WBAB, where he also DJ’d throughout that decade.  Rob Stein is also a LI ex-pat, although he returns regularly for the “religious experience” that is Umberto’s Pizza.  He too has graced the My Father’s Place stage several times over the years.  Bruce Milner had his Bar Mitzvah – and his Bris on Long Island (but not necessarily in that order!)

After performing in various Bob Dylan tribute shows, The Bob Cats formed officially in 2021, quickly becoming a regular attraction in Woodstock, and around the Hudson Valley – packing rooms with enthusiastic audiences of locals and tourists.

Together, The Bob Cats bring fire and heart to Dylan’s best loved tunes and deep cuts, with all of the sonic variations that have made Bob’s concerts so engaging throughout the decades.  Fans rave “That was a fun night!”, “I’m so glad I made it out,” and talk about the “Tasty song choices,” “Great energy” and “What a warm, happy room!”