This is the Biography page.

The Black Moon Band
"Featuring Today's Country"

See each Member of Black Moon!

Annie Wilson

Lead Vocalist

Annie discovered that she could sing about the age of 10.  She performed in many local talent contests as she was growing up.  She won contests at school and at local events that helped raise money for Multiple Sclerosis, Easter Seals and other charities.  She continued to search for her niche in music by playing in several garage bands - Rock n Roll, Top 40 Dance Music.  Country Music was the farthest from her mind at that time.  "I actually could not stand Country music," she recalls. 

After breaking up with her Top 40 Wedding Band Annie started singing with her brother, Eric, who also was a musician and a songwriter.  He had some futuristic ideas to put children's books together with music that parents could tolerate he hired two music icons to sing and narrate the story of the book and he asked Annie to be part of the deal.    It was 1991 when things started happening for her.  The opportunity she was given to perform with two legendary artist, [Johnny Cash] & [B.B.King] opened many doors. = click to left on either name & see photo's .   You can see ARTICLES too! = [ARTICLES]

Annie started her own band in 1994 called, "BLACK MOON", when her cousin Danny, the bass player in Black Moon, decided she was wasting her talents. (Thanks Danny!)  "Let's start a Country band", he said, "it's hot right now!"  So, Annie started listening to Country and ya' know it really wasn't half bad!

Now, Annie was starting to make a name for herself.  She sang the National Anthem 2 years in a row for The West Hartford Softball League's opening day ceremonies in 1996 & 1997 and then for The New Britain Rock Cats in 1997. 

Annie's biggest debut was Summer of "1998", when she was chosen by Country 92.5 F.M. to sing the National Anthem at The Great American Music Fest held at The Meadows Music Theater.  Annie followed the national act  of Country Singer, Patty Loveless and John Michael Montgomery followed!  [Click to See Photos]  & [NEWSPAPER ARTICLES}.

on September 14, 1998, Annie was asked to sing the National Anthem for the [GOVERNOR of CT. John G. Rowland] for a fund raiser party for his re-election campaign. She and her band played the rest of the party & it was a great honor!

In November of 1998, The [CT. Country Music Association] held a battle of the bands and Black Moon won several awards.  Best Band,    Best Vocal Duo,   Best Female Vocalist,    Best Female Entertainer!           click here - [CCMA ARTICLE]

In February of 1999, The Country Music Association held a Northeastern showdown with all the best musicians representing their state.    Annie won Best Female Vocalist of all New England!                    click here - [CCMA ARTICLE]

on June 12, 1999, Black Moon performs at the , in Hartford.  92.5FM WWYZ  was looking for a local band to back up the morning DJ, Neil Hedley.  Neil performs Parody's for the radio station and BLACK MOON was chosen to back Neil up on stage for the Great American Music Fest!   Click here for [photos and details!]

In August of 1999, Black Moon played again on the big stage of the Meadows Music Theater! This time it was the Car dealership, Saturn, for their Customer Appreciation Day picnic.   [no photos yet]

In October of 1999, We competed in LAS VEGAS for The 13th Annual National Competition for the Country Music Association of America.  They held a Battle of the Bands & Musicians.  It was held at the Showboat Casino Hotel in Las Vegas!  Black Moon competed for Best Band, Best Female Vocalist, Best Female Entertainer and Best Vocal Duo!

Unfortunately, we did not bring home any trophies this time, BUT!! Annie & Lisa  won a *Rising Star Award for Vocal Duo, which means they were between 3 points of the winners score!  [Article and photos to be posted soon check back.]

In November of 1999, The CT. Country Music Association held their annual battle of the bands at the Wayfarer Inn,  in Bedford, New Hampshire, Great Bands & Acts from CT, NH.  ME & RI all competed!   Black Moon did extremely well !  We won many awards. [Best Band, Best Vocal Duo, Best Female Vocalist, Best Vocal Group]

In, February 2000, The Country Music Association held their Annual Northeastern Showdown, Featuring the   Best Musicians in all New England). Black Moon did very well winning [Best Band, Best Vocal Duo=Annie & Lisa Dunnack and Annie won Best Female Vocalist!]

In November 2001,  we went back into competing after a year off with new baby for Annie and more awards were won, for the Connecticut competition,  Best Vocal Duo, Best Female Vocalist & Female Entertainer]

March 2001 -   Due to the birth of Annie's new child, & Dave's bad car accident we were not able to go back to Las Vegas's for the National competition, nor the competition in Pigeon Forge, TN.  We hope to do it again another year but have decided to take a few year off from competing.                    =============================================================================================================                                               

Annie & Black Moon can be found playing out regularly at local clubs & at many local fairs this year.  See the Black Moon Band's Schedule for details and upcoming events! [BLACK MOON CALENDAR]

Click on photos to enlarge.

PS: [MORE PHOTOS] see photos of Annie w/ JOHNNY CASH & BB KING.

Skip Bemis

Drummer & Vocalist

Ralph, "Skip" started his first band with Black Moon' bass player, Dan Valente back in 7th grade over 30 years ago!   They played and practiced together thru the end of High school playing school dances, Frat parties and coffee houses.  Dave Ramsey, Black Moon's keyboard player, joined Skip and Dan for a while in those early years.

In College Skip formed a band of his own and played many clubs and college events including being the warm up band for "Taj Mahal" at a college concert for 7 thousand people!.... After graduating from Alfred University in 1975.   Skip formed the CT band "Tamarac" with the same guitar player from his college band.  The band played with national acts such as "New Riders of the Purple Sage", "The James Montgomery Band", and "Lefty Foster of the Shaboo Allstars".  They also played for the Kennedy's Wedding Rehearsal Dinner in 1978 in Pennsylvania.

Skip and Dan started playing together again in the late 80's in a home based recording studio and Skip joined an Oldies band that Dan started in the early 90's called, "Back in Time".  One night after band practice in 1994, Dan played a tape for Skip of his cousin, "Annie" singing.  Shortly there after, Annie was invited to rehearsal and they hit it off.  The Black Moon Band was on it's way!

Dan Valente

Bass Guitar

Dan's Biography is still in the works!

Dave Ramsey

Keyboard & Vocalist

Dave's Biography is still in the works!

Welcome Tod Smith

Rhythm & Lead guitar

  Tod's Biography is in the works!

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