Kevin Purcell – Lead Vocals, Harmonica

Kevin Purcell Welds Chicago Blues with Southern Rock:

Kevin Purcell grew up steeped in Chicago blues and inspired by Southern rock. Years of playing have earned Purcell his reputation as a smokin’ harmonica player, a powerful vocalist and a respected songwriter.

Singer/songwriter Kevin Purcell welds the gritty, back alley sounds of Chicago blues with the back roads soul of southern rock. Purcell delivers an intense, crowd-pleasing show.

He’s shared the stage with many great musicians and thrives on the magical connection between performer and audience. His shows are packed with great showmanship, high energy, intimacy, soul and plain ole’ fun.

He leads a band of alchemists bringing crowds to their feet. Purcell has successfully distilled the essence of his roots, the blues, and the great southern traditions that consistently enlighten us in a true and original musical experience.

Tony Root – Bass

A long-time veteran of the Chicago area music scene, Tony has recorded, hit the road, and shared the stage with many great musicians. His bass has laid the foundation for Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners for the last 30 years and most recently recorded and toured with 2-time Grammy nominee Gary Vincent. A stint with blues legend Son Seals is also on his resume.

His bands have shared the stage with numerous groups, including Deep Purple, Gov’t Mule, Robin Trower, the Dixie Dregs, the Steve Morse Band, Ten Years After, John Entwistle, CCR, Delbert McClinton…  

And he continues to lay it down and tear it up with Rose Hill Revival!!

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Mike Church – Guitar & Vocals

Pete Kruse – Drums, Percussion

From cover bands to original bands, it has been a great ride, back in the day with The Green Giants, sharing the stage with The Animals, Buckinghams, New Colony Six, Shadows of Knight to being in a well-known Chicago Rock band, Madfox, to numerous bands since then, Thrillbilly, Ragtop Rodeo, West Side Heat with Steve Arvey, when the blues took hold. 

Playing with Honey Boy Edwards and Homesick James at the Porch, Chicago Blues Fest, to now working with Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners, a premier hard-rocking blues band with world-class originals and Rose Hill Revival: The Ultimate Allman Brothers Experience and now with Kevin Purcell & The Root Doctors.

“I am blessed to be a part of a great group of musicians!  Drumming has been a lifelong passion, along with singing backups and leads, and it all feels so right to me.”

Rob Anderlik – Guitar/Dobro/Lap Steel/Vocals

Rob Anderlik, a Chicago native, enriches Kevin Purcell & The Root Doctors with his mastery of resonator and Weissenborn slide guitars and his vocal talents. His musical journey began with a foundation in classic rock, southern rock, and blues, which later expanded to encompass bluegrass and Americana. This diverse background enables Rob to seamlessly blend genres, contributing to the band’s unique fusion of bluegrass and blues. Beyond his work with The Root Doctors, Rob is an active figure in the Chicago music scene, collaborating with various artists and projects, including his involvement with Anderlik, Otto & Church.

Rob’s dedication to his craft is evident through his studies with renowned dobro players such as Jerry Douglas, Sally Van Meter, Randy Kohrs, and Andy Hall. His performances are characterized by a deep respect for musical traditions and a creative drive to push boundaries and explore new sonic landscapes. This commitment to tradition and innovation makes Rob a vital component of The Root Doctors’ dynamic sound.

Billy McGuinn – Sound, Stage Tech

Billy McGuinn joined the Nightburners in 2006.

Bill started by simply carrying heavy equipment, but he’s since graduated to handling logistics, running the soundboard, and serving as confidante and personal assistant. (And..he still carries the heavy equipment.)

Bill’s background is in automotive repair and he is a certified arborist (tree guy). These have nothing to do with music, but they assist in problem-solving and the aforementioned carrying of heavy equipment.

Bill’s unique view and overall easygoing style keep the band entertained and on trajectory. His ability to continually manipulate a situation or object til he achieves the goal he is looking for is invaluable to the band.

Even without playing an instrument, Billy rocks!

Markus Loving – Web Development, Branding, Online Promotions

Markus joined with the band in 2016.

He started by creating our first digital EPK and has since graduated to handling all web development, social media, and online branding & promotions. 

Markus’ background is in online authority marketing, reputation marketing as well being a prolific public speaker and 2-time Bestselling author.  

His unique perspective and overall vision keep the band on their toes and on a trajectory. His ability to continually work with practically any situation ’til he achieves the goal he is looking for is invaluable to the band.

Even though he plays a different kind of keyboard, Markus still jams!