In December 1999, JR Espinoza and Sam Alvarado discussed putting a band together to do a gig at the Moose Lodge in Apple Valley, California. JR called his brother Arturo to see if he would be interested, and he was. Sam contacted other musicians that he was acquainted with to check their availability to participate in a new band.

About January 21, 2001, the prospective band members met at Jim Reichert's home in Phelan, CA to see if any magic would happen. Jim was the drummer, JR Espinosa was rhythm guitar, Arturo Espinosa played harmonica, Sam played bass guitar, and Steve Mitchell would play lead guitar. Things clicked pretty well. The group members liked (and still do) each other on a personal level, and the music seemed to be happening. The problem was trying to limit the genre in which the band was to perform.

The band voted on a name. Some of us thought the name that won was Main Street Band, but when the business cards came in, they said Mainstream Band. Several rehearsals and a few weeks later, the band had a repertoire of about 50 songs and its first gig at the aforementioned Moose Club. The next gig was at the Big Rock Inn in Pinon Hills, CA two weeks later.

Jim Reichert got a job in Oklahoma in June 2000, necessitating the first change in personnel in Mainstream. Jim Lathrop had been playing drums in open jam sessions at Angie's (in Hesperia) when Mainstream had been there and was invited to join the band after Jim Reichert had given his notice. In November 2000, Susan Johnson was invited to join the band as a keyboard player. Susan had jammed with the band before and had been in a band with Sam and Steve a few years earlier.

JR, Arturo and Jim have all gone on to other interests, but Sam, Steve and Susan have continued on after a short (3 year)break for Susan to have a couple of well-known TV twins. The band now features Joe Tosha on drums.

The style of music played varies from moment to moment considerably. George Jones, Garth Brooks, Lynnard Skynnard, Wilson Pickett, George Strait, and the Beatles may all show up in the same set. The band works well with audiences of very divergent tastes.

This band plays music that it enjoys. You can tell that they enjoy it because theyhave fun on and off the stage every minute of the gig. The crowd seems to vicariously enjoy the antics and are frequently involved in them.

We hope you will be able to add MainStream Band to your list of leisure activities!