It’s no exaggeration to say the Rewind Band represents a dream come true for at least two of its members.
Formed in 2021, the Southwest Florida-based group specializes in performing covers of classic dance tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s at clubs and bars, such as the Sand Bar, and country clubs in Collier and Lee counties. The band also entertains at special events, such as weddings, and private parties.
“We have quite a variety: pop, rock, disco, Motown,” is how Marco Island resident Emery Pulse describes the band’s music. She’s been the Rewind Band’s vocalist for two years. Joining her are keyboardist John McCormick, Brian Jackson on guitar, bassist Chris Morgan and drummer-percussionist Mike Yacovelli, the group’s founder and leader.
By day, sheworks in software development, a career she beganin the Chicago area, where she was born and raised. Exploring singing professionally was a long-held desire, but uncertainty about how to get started and life, in general, got in the way. However, after moving to Marco in 2020, she decided to throw caution to the wind and try to pursue her passion.
That process included casually perusing a Facebook page for local musicians. One day, an advertisement from a band seeking a singer caught her eye.
“I can’t really tell you what compelled me to respond,” she said. “I hadn’t responded to any other Facebook ads before and haven’t since. When I saw that Chris, our bassist, had posted the ad, I looked at his Facebook profile to learn more about him. I later found Mike’s profile to see what he was aboutand I thought, ‘Okay, this seems like a nice group of people.’”
Chris Morgan, left, Mike Yacovelli, Chris Morgan, John McCormick, and Emery Pulse of the Rewind Band.
So,she composed a message declaring her interest and hit ‘send,’ which sparked feelings of excitement and some trepidation. An offer to audition followed. The audition was held in Yacovelli’s garage. Pulse arrived prepared to sing a variety of songs, some she’d never heard before this endeavor. Her sequin dress made for a bold statement given the casual surroundings.
At the end of the night she said, “This is what I have to offer. Hopefully, you like what I do. If not, I understand,” recalled Pulse. “Mike gave me the call the next day and it was truly very exciting. It’s been an evolving process and a highlight in my life. I cannot say that enough. It has been such a fulfilling experience to meet other musicians and to create music together.”
Joining the group placed her in the company of seasoned musicians who’ve spent years entertaining audiences.
McCormickgraduated from Pennsylvania’s Westminster College in 1987 with an applied vocal degree and a minor in piano. The keyboardist performed the sunset celebration at the Key West Hilton and Resort for nine years. He played in bands throughout his 20s and 30s but primarily performed as a solo artist.
Jacksonhas been playing guitar professionally for more than 25 years, covering genres ranging from country to metal.
Morgan has been playing bass since 1989, mainly for churches and Christian bands.
A retired grocery store manager, Yacovelli began drumming at age six. He played in bands, mainly during summers in his home state of New Jersey. After moving to Cape Coral in 2014, he continued performing, often as an emergency fill-in drummer for bands.But the uncertainty of that status and having to play music he didn’t enjoy grew tiresome, so Yacovelli opted to go his own way.
“I wanted to start my own band, so that’s what I did,” he said. “I started looking for players in the area, players that weren’t playing and did some auditioning. We went through a couple of different singers before we got Emery,and I think we’ve put everything together nowto be a good band.”
The Rewind Band: Brian Jackson, left, John McCormick, Emery Pulse, Mike Yacovelli and Chris Morgan.
He credits Pulse’s addition withbeing an essential element in the band’s cohesion and camaraderie,both on-and-off stage, and its ability to connect with audiences.
“Emery has been pivotal to the band’s success,” said Yacovelli, whoPulse calls ‘the Mastermind of Rewind.’ “The band has seen significant growth since she joined two years ago. Emery actively engages with the audience, commands the stage, and contributes to the band’s operations by assisting with equipment setup and breakdown.”
“There is a special connection that sometimes happens between band members when the instruments complement each other, and the vocals and harmonies blend so much that there are no words or feelings to describe the connection,” explained the Naples resident. “It doesn’t always work that way with every person you play with. What she brought connects all the parts: her vocals, her harmonies, her desire to constantly expand and improve. Her attitude,uplifting spirit, and vulnerability create a very positive environment and a strong musical connection with the audience and the band. She’s one of a kind.”
Vocalist Emery Pulse.
McCormick, Rewind’s newest member, expressed similar sentiments.
“My enjoyment comes from the camaraderie and friendships I have with my bandmates,” he said. “The music is really secondary to our relationships. “We genuinely care for each other. So that naturally comes across in our performances.”
Pulse brought with hera love of artists and music popular during her youth in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, with Madonna and Whitney Houston being two favorites. The opportunity to perform music from that era fulfills one of her childhood dreams.
That time period has also influenced the shape, form and sound of another of her musical passions: songwriting. The band sometimes performs one of her songs, “Gift Box,” during its sets. The tune is one of several self-penned selections found on her page on the Spotify streaming service. The recording was produced by her and Marco resident Brett Brown.
She’s also a radio DJ who can be heard daily, from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM, on 98.1 FM Marco Island and 91.5 Everglades City.
For more information about the Rewind Band, including booking, please visit rewindbandswfl.com/. For more information about Emery Pulse, please visit emerypulse.com.