Bio’s

As much as she enjoys the talents of her bandmates, Whiskey Saints is undoubtedly defined by lead vocalist Cidalia America.

The youngest of seven children, you might assume she developed singing as a way to stand out. Her family was very musical after all — her father played Portuguese folk songs on guitar, her mother sang beautifully, and she had several musical siblings as well. On the contrary however, Cidalia more often used music as a private escape, and while she dabbled in chorus and musical theater at school, she wouldn’t share the full range of her talents until her late 30’s when she joined her first band, Wicked Blue.

Cidalia’s early influences were broad in scope: R&B, rock, pop, classical, metal, even crooners like Tom Jones and Nat King Cole. She would listen to vocals intently and mimic the many styles and vocal runs. Around that time, she also started playing piano, an obsession she recalls distracted her while at school because she couldn’t wait to get home and practice the chords and songs floating around in her head.

In 2018, guitarist Kevin Curran asked Cidalia to join a new rock and blues project that would ultimately turn into “Whiskey Saints”. Cidalia additionally joined the seasonal TSO tribute band “Ornament” in 2019, and was voted in 2022 and 2024 as Top Lead Vocalist in Rock & Rhodes voter poll.

Playing in the Boston metal scene in the early 1980’s, Kevin launched a lifelong endeavor into guitar playing with Assassin. Inspired by the NWOBHM movement (new wave of British heavy metal) Assassin was the first area band to cover music by the likes of Saxon, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Raven, and Iron Maiden to name a few. The band later morphed into the original metal band Steel Assassin. After disbanding in the 90s Steel Assassin reformed in 2005 and was signed to Sentinel Steel Records, releasing their hallmark “War of the Eight Saints”, with supporting shows at the Keep it True Festival in Germany, the Play it Loud Festival in Italy and the Warriors of Metal Festival in the USA.

With a long time passion for the music of Thin Lizzy, Kevin also played in the tribute project Vagabond Kings and was inducted as an honorary member into the Roisin Dubh Trust by Philomena Lynott after their second performance in Dublin, Ireland in 2003.

Forming the Whiskey Saints in 2018, Kevin continues to pursue new avenues of blues rock with like-minded and talented kindred spirits Cidalia America, Dave Liolios, Greg Michalowski, Crissy Azzinaro, Mike Fradkin, and Johnny Souza. Inspired by American blues masters, Whiskey Saints are passionate about exploring original and standard interpretations of heartfelt and gritty blues rock compositions.

Gear: Gibson Les Paul Traditional, Gibson Les Paul Standard, Godin Montreal Premier.

A booming voice, boisterous laugh, bold playing style, and a giant bass clef tattoo on his forearm...if you looked up “rock bassist” in the dictionary, you might just find a picture of Dave Liolios. 

Taking up bass at the age of 11, Dave’s initial influences included REO Speedwagon’s Bruce Hall and Doobie Brothers’ Tiran Porter. Soon after, he would become swept up with a love of metal and harder rock music with influences including Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Cliff Burton, Steve DiGiorgio, and Joey Vera.

Since that time, spanning 4 decades, Dave’s been involved in numerous Boston area bands and played on dozens of recordings as a session bassist.

“Whiskey Saints provides an opportunity to add texture and dynamics to a classic style of music while adding the urgency and aggression of my heavier musical roots” says Dave.

When not holding a bass, Dave can typically be found holding a Crown Royal by a fire with close friends and family.

From Westerly, Rhode Island, Crissy grew up in a musical family.  Encouraged by her mother, Crissy began playing guitar at the age of 5.  

Taught by her uncles (fine players in their own right), she grew up a child of the 70s, profoundly inspired by the decade’s rock and blues artists.

Her influences include: The Allman Brothers Band, The Doobie Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Sly & The Family Stone, Steely Dan, James Taylor, and Gladys Knight & the Pips.  

Crissy has led a multifaceted life and career, balancing her law practice with finding her way back to playing & performing. She was a founding member of the south shore Massachusetts band “Wicked Blue” (2009-2017) which is where she first crossed paths with vocalist Cidalia America and bassist, Dave Liolios. Crissy joined Whiskey Saints in 2018. 

Gear: Collings I-30LCL, Gibson SG, Fender Stratocaster.

Appropriately, Mike’s first public performance was Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” at age 9 at a local talent show. While he would stop formal training several years later, the desire to collaborate and perform would lead him to play rock keyboard for the next 40 years in local bands Raw Deal, A NewdMachine, and Moonstruck. He also plays hand percussion in the acoustic group Gorilla Cookies. These groups provided the opportunity to play historical Boston clubs like The Channel, Bunratty’s, Axis, The Harp, The Hard Rock, Copperfields, many large colleges, and open for national acts like The Alarm, Blue Oyster Cult, and Grammy winner Lori McKenna.

In 2022, he joined Whiskey Saints on keyboard, adding a new element to the band's existing signature heavy blues rock sound. Mike considers himself a product of a musical family on his father’s side and the award-winning Stoughton, MA music program in which he played classical and jazz trombone for 10 years. Though he hasn’t stayed current with the instrument he states “everything I know about musical collaboration, preparation, respect for music, setting goals and putting in work came from that program.”

He adds “I’m amongst the luckiest people I know to still be able to play music I love with people I love.” Mike (actually known to most of his bandmates and friends as “Frad”) counts Keith Emerson, Tom Scholz, Jonathan Cain, Rick Wakeman, Jon Lord, Gregg Allman, Lachey Doley, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, and Jordan Rudess in his longer list of keyboard heroes.

Greg has been behind a drum kit since the age of 19, earning a reputation for versatility across a wide range of genres, including blues, rock, jazz, and metal. Over the years, he has showcased his talent with bands such as Steel Assassin, Wildside, Wicked Blue, The Loonatics, Rockstar Posers, and Heavy Mellow, joining Whiskey Saints in late 2024. Greg draws inspiration from legendary drummers like Jeff Porcaro, Jim Gordon, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Neil Peart, John Bonham, and Tony Williams, channeling their influence into his dynamic and expressive style.

Equipment: 1966 Ludwig drums, Paiste and Zildjian cymbals.

Johnny has been studying music since age 6 and comes from a musical family with his father teaching him jazz and theory from a young age. Johnny studied Performance under Tiger Okoshi at The Berklee College of Music and has been entertaining for the last 20+ years. His musical influences range from his father, also named Johnny, to Roy Hargrove, Russell Gunn, Lee Morgan, and Terence Blanchard. Johnny has performed with regional acts and national acts over a wide variety of genres from Lou Columbo and Gray Sargent to 'State Radio' and more. When not performing or practicing, Johnny enjoys smoking BBQ, fishing, and spending time with his family.