Beggars Banquet is the premier
Rolling Stones Tribute Band of the Carolinas. With nine performers on stage, (including keyboards, horn, backup singers, percussion and cello) Beggars Banquet is true to the spirit of the songs and brings all the musical bells and whistles for a live Rock and Roll show that is a unique "Stones"
musical/visual tribute band experience.
Band members
Doug Davis, Lead Vocals
Doug Davis has been a fixture on the regional scene for many years, as a producer, sideman, a leader of the Triad Community Project, the Vagabond Saints's Society, with long-time party-band favorites, the Plaids, and as a founding member of The Breakfast Club/Absolute 80's. He has been performing and recording original music over the last decade under his own name, with Magnolia Green (his most current project), and Doug Davis & the Solid Citizens. His music has been featured in dozens of television shows and films, including "Saturday Night Live", "Dateline", "The Voice" and "Last Call with Carson Daly" Doug has also performed with Chris Stamey, Peter Holsapple, Mitch Easter, Robyn Hitchcock, Artimus Pyle, Mark Kano, Artie Lamonica (the Shirts), Jerry Chapman, and many others, (including a string of gigs with an upstart sax player named Bobby Keyes). Beggars Banquet proudly welcomes "Dougs" explosive wealth of talent and experience that he brings on and off stage.
Jeff Larsen, Guitar, Harmonica, Recorder, Backing Vocals
Jeff started his musical endeavors playing saxophone for approximately 7 years before taking up guitar at age 14 and has never looked back. He played in numerous bands on Long Island in the 80’s before attending Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. While there, he played in several bands and shared the stage with-among others-Grammy Award winning artist Liz Larin, 7-time Grammy Award nominee composer, producer & songwriter Scott Spock (Avril Lavigne, Shakira, Korn), and astounding guitarist Randy Jacobs (Was Not Was, and the Boneshakers).
Currently, Jeff spends most of his spare time learning new instruments including mandolin, harmonica and recorder, as he sits in with local musicians periodically to perform with these instruments. Jeff is working hard to put Beggars Banquet on the map and spread the word that the Rolling Stones are alive and stronger than ever.
Mike Edwards, Guitar
Mike brings a ton of experience to Beggars as he has been a staple in the triangle area for years and is known by all that follow the music scene as Mikes awesome slide guitar playing is second to none. Mike is best known for fronting his very successful group, 'Mike Edward's & The Banned' for a decade throughout the southeast.
Jeff Abate, Drums
Originally from suburban Pittsburgh, PA, Jeff has been a Drummer/Percussionist for over 35 years and an NC resident for 23 of those. He has played in various original and cover bands in the triangle and has been a welcome addition to Beggars Banquet.
Courtney Watkins, Sax / Percussion
When Courtney sat in with Beggars Banquet for the first time, we knew we had found our "Bobby Keys." He began playing saxophone at age 11 and honed his chops at Appalachian State, joining his first rock band and playing the legendary Club Amadeus on King Street in Boone. Courtney hasn't put the horn down and has played nationally & internationally, most notably at Buddy Guy’s, Andy’s Jazz Club, Chicago's Linda’s lounge and Cloud Nine In Beijing, China. Wherever he plays, Courtney amplifies the stage with his high energy saxophone playing and percussion. Recently, Courtney has wowed the local bar/club scene with his own fiery brand of solo sax renditions of popular tunes that keeps em crowds coming back for more.
Robert Turner, Keyboards
John Wolk, Bass
John has been a sought-after bass player in the Raleigh area for years, playing in banks such as WaxPlanet, Urban soil, Jethorse, Funksandwich, Skycrest...just to name a few. John knows what it takes to hold down the bass in this band.
Elizabeth Worley, Backing Vocals / Percussion
Elizabeth has always been singing. She spent a year as a the vocalist in an acoustic duo and has been a part time lead singer in bands over the last 35 years. After a 20 year hiatus raising children, Elizabeth has returned to the stage with Beggars Banquet for rocking “Gimme Shelter” and other background vocals.
Kristen Larsen, Cello and Backing Vocals
Kristen started playing cello in 7th grade and has played in community orchestras ever since. Beggars Banquet gives her a chance to break away from traditional cello playing and add a finishing touch to the Stones' more sensitive side.