The 8 Tracks

The Originals

JL Pike – (Lead Vocals, Percussion)

Born in Macon, Missouri, JL really formed his roots when his family moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa where his performing career began to take flight. His father, Jim Pike, was a multi-talented artist who made a name for himself in the Midwest with his TV show called “Midwest Hoot” in Omaha, Nebraska where young JL learned the ins and outs of the entertainment business. JL has always considered his dad his hero and primary influence, even more so than the artists themselves, which tells us all about what kind of a man he really is. With a leg up on entertaining a crowd, JL went on to success in the Midwest with his charted Midwest hit “It’s a Matter of Time” in 1983 while playing with his band, JL Pike and the Sandstone Express. He’s opened for Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, Bellamy Brothers and even worked with Mickey Gilley, Faron Young and Bobby Vee. He’s the only member of The 8-Tracks to perform for a president when he sang for George H.W. Bush and Barbara back in the Midwest as well. A proud father to his twin daughters, Ashley and Amber, JL is both the pulse as well as the humility of the band making him the perfect blend to front the group.

Paul Shamrock – (Drums, Lead Vocals)

A native of “Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin’ town”, Paul is another multi-talented artist who does more than just drive the band with his drum set. As the secondary lead vocalist, he also dabbles in a little “sax” in the afternoons while the clarinet is reserved, I guess, for the evenings. (Ahem) With his spot-on Harry Carey impersonation, He’s previously worked with bands like “The Catch” and “The Capitals” back in the Windy City and his experiences with Del Shannon and New Colony Six made him quip, “The fun part was meeting them, listening to their stories, and thinking “I thought they were taller”. He currently resides in Cave Creek with his beautiful wife, Renee.

Bill Soliman – (Bass, Vocals)

Born in Taipei, Taiwan ROC, Bill moved to the Philippines at a young age before moving to America at the youthful age of 22. A multi-talented musician (Bass, keys, guitar and drums), he has been rockin’ for over 30 years thanks to the influences of The Beatles, Zombies, Dave Clark 5, Deep Purple, America, The Doors and Jimi Hendrix. Previous musical involvement includes stints in groups like Desert Shore Band, Whiskey River Band, Good Times Band, Ladder 33 Band, Classic Daze Band, Billy_Joe_n_Jerry Band, 2KD Band. Bill has recently played with The Legends of Doo wop, Gene "The Duke of Earl" Chandler, The Coasters, The Chiffons and Ed Carter of the Beach Boys! Now living in Glendale, AZ, Bill was College educated in the field of Electronics and Communication Engineering where he spends his days in the IT department of a large corporation patiently awaiting the night before he picks up his bass to help guide the band through their next tune! Favorite quote is: “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make…”.

Michael J Liddy – (Keyboard, Vocals) 

Originally from New Jersey, Michael is thrilled to be a part of this amazing group of players.  Working for several years on the road with the likes of Jay & The Techniques, Tommy Roe, The Box Tops, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon and Merillee Rush - his road work has also included touring with The Shadows of Knight and The Romantics on Stevie Van Zandt's National Underground Garage Tour.  His other passion, cooking, has led him to be the restaurant industry for many years. He lives in Gilbert with his wife, Dawn. They have four children, four grandchildren, and they also foster rescue dogs in the Phoenix area.  For those wondering about Jersey, it was Exit 9 on the NJ Turnpike.