Ripsaw Band

The Lively Rakooneers is the amalgamation of two bands – The Lively Stones and Tell & The Rakooneers.. Tell & The Rakooneers was formed in 1994. This band was the brainchild of Correy Forbes and Italian Resort Manager Mr. Davide Monti. Davide wanted to provide his clients with a night of local culture. With this in mind he asked the managers of various departments to organize a culture show to be displayed once or twice weekly at his resort. The director of security Telvin Misick and the restaurant and bar manager Correy Forbes immediately called on five other staff members to form a “Rake and Scrape” band. Their name “Rakooneers” is a derivation of their original name “Raker-neers.” One of the original members of the band was an Italian musician/cartoonist. Roberto was his name. Roberto drew a cartoon image of Telvin Misick playing the drums, on the kick he inscribed the name ‘Tell and the Rakooneers.’ The rest is History.

The band’s manager, Correy Forbes had released two solo albums prior to the formation of Tell & The Rakooneers. His first album spun out local hits such as ‘Brokenhearted Linda’, ‘Save The Children Now’ and ‘I’ ve Got a Crush on J.&J.’ (Janet Jackson)” His second album, with a Christmas theme, produced such hits as, ‘Are you ready for Christmas?’, “Santa Claus was Broke last year!” and the immensely popular standard “I miss my granddaddy on this Christmas day.”. With a track record like that it was hardly a wonder that the band went into the studio less than two months after their inception to record their first album. This album (Ripsaw A-Go-Go) was released on December 17th, 1994.

The album “Ripsaw A-G0–Go” has been the vehicle that took Tell and the Rakooneers to three countries, Canada, USA and Denmark. From 1995 to 1997 they have staged twenty eight (28) international concerts. They were the subject of many outstanding reviews printed by a number of American, Canadian and local newspapers and magazines. They were interviewed on two major cable network shows. One of them, Roget’s Cable in Ottawa Ontario and the other K16CO in Garfield/Alexandria Minnesota.

Perhaps one of their greatest claim to fame was when they made an appearance at the Legislative Assembly Of Ontario. The Speaker introduced them to the assembly as delegates from the Turks & Caicos Islands and also guest of the Hon. Gary Fox. Earlier that week the band who played at a charity event in West Lake, Ontario, was awarded a certificate of thanks and appreciation for a wonderful performance.

In 1998 the band started production of their 2nd album “Rippin round the world”. The project commenced in Ottawa at Distortion Sounds Studios. (It is here that Alanis Morrisette made her first hit album.) Parts of the album were also recorded in Toronto and Miami. In 1997 Tell & The Rakooneers launched their own band magazine, aptly called “Rakooroos News.” This magazine proved to be an advertising bonanza for the band and the companies who placed advertisements in this magazine. During their recent North American Tour concert revelers, and die hard “Rakaroos” gathered around the band during breaks to have their magazines autographed.