The Band

In Raceland, Kentucky, Joe Haile got the music gene from his grandmother and great aunt whom both appeared regularly on a live radio production show, before television was around. Joe’s parents were always supportive of his music aspirations which included playing multiple instruments like guitar and piano as well as singing. Joe had finished his sophomore year of college on a music scholarship at Kentucky State University, while playing in a band with 3 other musicians. One night, they had just finished a show at the only establishment that would allow live rock music on stage in that area. An all-night conversation sparked debating the future of the band and the quartet decided that moving to one of the bandmate’s brother's apartment in Florida was the best possible idea.

Upon arriving in Florida, all of the bandmates soon moved on to other endeavors. Joe, the surviving member of that fateful trip was alone and searching for new musicians to chase dreams with. After only a short time, Joe met up with band mate Dave Lee, among others, but the song writing duo instantly hit it off sharing ideas, hairspray, and eyeliner (glam wasn't dead yet).

Years of sweating, stomping and screaming across the stage of any place that would have them, with other musicians, giving them legendary experiences. Joe & Dave found themselves beginning a new band in the early 2000's. Sleeping With Sybil was born, a high energy original rock band that accumulated a large following, and regular paid gigs around Central Florida. This led to two album releases. Two singles, one from each album, saw regular spins on local radio stations, awards from songwriters associations and magazines were among the accolades. In 2007, the band parted ways.

Joe began working with German born rockstar, Detlef Kowalewski, in a songwriting venture that was both challenging and unconventional. The “Peace Company” project was in full swing, recording songs on a 40 foot sailboat that was stuck in Port Canaveral, Florida while in need of repair. One of the tracks from that work was nominated for the “Best Rock Song” category for a Grammy in 2009 and placed #105 without a single spin on any terrestrial radio station.

After a stint playing cover songs from the early '80's in a band called Sure Thing, Joe was seeking a new project getting back to making original music. Replying to a Craiglist post about an original rock band looking for a singer / songwriter, Joe found Len Jenkins and Rob Kaufmann. From day one, it was a match. Bits & Pieces was born.

From a very young age in Winchester, Virginia, Len was introduced to music of all kinds, as his mother was a factory worker for Capitol Records. That is as musical as this family got, extended or otherwise. No one known in the family tree had any music ability. He was naturally drawn to the tones and sounds of the guitar. At the age of 16 he was able to buy his first one and hasn’t stopped his passion for creating music ever since. He is self-taught, learning from other musicians, friends and influences. He has a knack for making hook driven riffs that seem to come effortlessly. He’s not bound by the laws of music theory, as schooled musicians are which leaves his imagination limitless.

Founding the central Florida favorite original and cover rock band, Sound Proof 151, with drummer and best friend, Rob Kaufmann, allowed him to take the next step in his music career, leaving the dream world for the real world giving him a platform to share his creations, finally. He gained experience gigging, recording, writing, managing and the ins and outs of being in a band. The band found success having won battles of the bands, great press reviews, recording a demo CD and getting local radio airplay. After a great run, domestic life called for change.

Len and Rob would soon start a new project that would drive their music to new heights. They ran Craigslist ads and recruited through interviews with musicians different than themselves. Wanting to create, write, and make original music as the primary goal along with a family-like environment being a top priority, they were able to surround themselves with like-minded souls namely Joe Haile, Dave Lee and David “Nature” Nelson. All of these musicians have very different backgrounds, experiences and journeys, thus Bits and Pieces was created.

Wanting to record a full-length album, and not having the money to pay professional recording studios to do it, Len pushed himself to learn Pro Tools, an industry standard software in music recording. He researched recording techniques, equipment standards, and trade secrets from recording industry leaders, arming himself with knowledge of “how to”. He produced and engineered, with the help of Joe Haile, the band’s debut album, IdioSecrecy.

Rob was introduced to the great classic band Rush when he was 8 years old by his older brother. That started him on the righteous rock n roll path. But he didn’t start playing music until his teen years. He was blessed with the gift of sport, playing baseball and soccer from an early age all the way through high school. He was very good at soccer and invited to try-out for the US Olympic team. Musically he played the trumpet in Jr High and High School and earned first chair in the high school jazz band. He didn’t start playing drums until his early 20’s when he was asked by Len to give it a try, because the two were already friends and shared similar tastes in music. The rest as the say is history.

Dave Lee started his musical journey at a young age in Randolph, New Jersey where in grade school he played drums, trumpet and violin. Dave wrote his first chorus to a song at 8 years old, in his first band. At 15 years old Dave started singing for a rock cover band. His family relocated to Florida where he continued his musicianship learning to play guitar. Being in bands that always seemed to have a problem finding a bass player afforded him an opportunity to start playing bass, which he quickly excelled at naturally.

Dave was in a band that saw Joe joining up from out of state, and from that moment on the two were more like inseparable brothers than band mates. The two shared tastes in music, writing styles and showmanship. They wrote many songs together within the bands they were in throughout their 20’s. The legendary experiences and stories are still told to this day. This led to the forming of Sleeping With Sybil, that run was great for both guys and their friendship. Life happened unfortunately and Dave decided after all the gigging and traveling that he had reached a point where music was not going to be part of his future.

After a 10 year absence, some life changes and much persuasion by Joe, Dave began to play bass again. Bits & Pieces needed a bass player and Joe’s conviction that his long-time friend could work himself back into playing shape paid off. The wait was worth it. Dave was an instant fit with the band as Joe was. The family gained another brother and BP² (Bits & Pieces Bass Player) was unveiled replacing JHBP (Joe Haile’s Bass Player).

David “Nature” Nelson grew up in Florida but claims Limerick, Ireland as the birthplace of his musical talents. In his late teens and early twenties, his first band was a Rush cover band touring the small Irish villages along the Shannon River. Picking up influences and flavors of the old sod, helped shape the lead player he is today. The locals would say the yank was Brilliant. He carved out a name for himself in the rural small farm area. Nature can speak Gaelic and often does to razz or rile up band mates.

He came back stateside to Florida and worked in the trade industry. Being one of several “Davids” on the jobsites, to lessen the confusion for his boss, he was given the nickname of Nature Boy. Over time this was shortened to Nature. Nature is just fine with the nickname as hobbies like being a Tai-Chi instructor, a vegetarian and practitioner of New Age cultures it just fits. He is a deep thinker, herbalist, peace activist. He believes in holistic healing, health and wellness. A modern day hippie.

His style of guitar playing is unique but his influences like Neal Schon, Tom Scholz, Vito Bratta and Steve Vai can be heard within his style. Nature is also an accomplished bass player. He creates melodies and counter melodies and counter to the counter melodies, in his head easily. His love affair with effects is limited by his band mates.

Nature responded to a Craigslist ad posted by the band and recruited much the same way as Joe. Initially Len phone interviewed Nature and wasn’t sold on his ability having gone through other prog rock guitarists. With much persuasion Nature forced a meeting and jam with the band that cemented his position. Nature was an instant fit with the group not just his ability and uniqueness but his personality and genuineness. He has a heart of gold and the Shaman of the band.