About Us
Learn more about Medicine Men and the Westside Girls, and the band members’ musical journeys.
Current Magazine says:
“Many people around town often comment on the uniqueness of the band’s name and how it came about. Samuels — who is of Native American heritage and also a retired physician—elaborated upon this as well.
“The name ‘Medicine Men’ was to honor a late friend of ours, Jakson Spires, most notably from the band Blackfoot, but who played in Ann Arbor with many well-known musicians here,” said Samuels. “He wrote a song called ‘Medicine Man’. My dear friend Chris Goerke and I wanted to honor Jakson as well as our Native American heritage. The ‘Westside Girls’ are self-named and were all from the west side of Ann Arbor.”
The band is comprised of nine members. Terry Samuels: lead vocals, percussion, guitar; Andy Adamson: keyboards, vocals; Pete Bullard: guitar, vocals; Dan Bennett: saxophone; Doug Katchorek: bass guitar; Richard Dishman, Michael Moenart: drums; Carol Shaw: vocals, percussion; Cheryl McIntire: vocals, percussion.”
Meet the Band
Terry Samuels
– Vocals, Percussion, Guitar
Terry Samuels, born in Northern Michigan, grew up making music with family and neighbors, inspired by his mother, who sang and played piano. He began playing drums at age 12, forming his first band in 6th grade. In 1973, he joined Tears of Joy, a band that evolved through various names until the mid-1980s. Alongside rock music, Terry also performed tribal music, which he continues to this day.
In the mid-’80s, Terry transitioned from drums to singing, fronting bands like Shadow Alley, where he met Michael (Redd Alert) Moenart. He currently leads Medicine Men and the Westside Girls, sings and plays guitar with Sugarbush, and occasionally performed with the ’80s tribute band, Trucker.
Terry initially pursued music, dance, and theater in college before shifting to pre-med at the University of Michigan, earning his MD in 1998. He later became the Medical Director for the Tribal Medical Center in Petoskey, MI, retiring in 2021 to return to his musical roots full-time.
Terry performs with contagious energy and loves to involve the crowd.
Andy Adamson
– Keyboard, Vocals
Andy Adamson is a self-taught keyboardist and composer native to Ann Arbor who has performed in the Southeast Michigan music scene for over five decades.
Over the years, Andy played a wide range of musical styles, including jazz standards in solo and trio settings, Cuban Folk music with Ann Arbor based Melodioso, rockabilly swing with Dick Siegel’s Ministers of Melody, funk and motown with Detroit based Norma Jean Bell and the All Stars, disco and rock with multiple Detroit based club bands, rhythm and blues with the Ann Arbor band F.U.B.A.R. and Rock & Roll with the Ann Arbor band Medicine Men and the Westside Girls.
Through all years, Andy has composed. He formed the Andy Adamson Quintet in 2014 to play his original traditional jazz and jazz fusion compositions, and has released four albums with the Quintet which have gained national attention.
In 2024, Andy released a solo Funk/R&B album backed by Medicine Men and the Westside Girls entitled “We All Know”.
Andy truly values the friendships and creative musical energy he finds with all the musicians he plays with.
Dan Bennett
– Saxaphone
Dan Bennett is a versatile saxophonist and composer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Skilled in playing Tenor, Baritone, Alto, and Soprano saxophones, Dan has been a prominent figure in the local and international jazz scene. He earned his BFA in saxophone performance and jazz studies from the University of Michigan in 2004, solidifying his foundation in music.
Over the years, Dan has collaborated with a variety of talented musicians and bands, including Medicine Men and the Westside Girls, and has long-standing partnerships with Nomo and the Paxton/Spangler Septet. His recent work includes contributions to notable albums like IGQOZI with the Paxton/Spangler Septet, Sorrow with Colin Stetson, and Open Water as a Child with Tim Haldeman.
Dan remains an active performer in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area while also playing internationally, and continues to share his passion for music on stages both near and far.
Pete Bullard
– Guitar, Vocals
Pete Bullard is an accomplished guitarist, currently playing in nine different bands, including Medicine Men and the Westside Girls, Jerry Mack and the Terraplanes, and Lexie Blue. His dynamic playing style and versatility have made him a sought-after musician in the local music scene.
In addition to his performance career, Pete has been teaching guitar for over 12 years, now running Pete Bullard Guitar Studio in Chelsea, MI. He has also taught at the Chelsea Center for the Arts, sharing his passion for music with students of all ages, from 5 and up. As a teacher, Pete is dedicated to helping his students progress to the next level of their musical journey while ensuring they have fun along the way.
With his extensive experience both on stage and in the classroom, Pete remains a vital figure in the Michigan music community, inspiring students and captivating audiences alike.
Rich Dishman
– Drums
Rich Dishman began his professional drumming career at the age of 15, playing at teen clubs and toga parties around Ann Arbor with his high school band, The Aftermath. During the late 1960s, he frequently performed at the iconic Grande Ballroom as a member of The Charging Rhinoceros of Soul.
In the early 1970s, Rich formed a band called Radio King and his Court of Rhythm, which led him to relocate to Boston, MA, where he lived for seven years. Returning to Ann Arbor in the early 1980s, Rich joined Tracy Lee and the Leonards, a band featuring the talented guitarist George Bedard. When the Leonards disbanded, Rich began a decades-long collaboration with Bedard as part of George Bedard and the Kingpins, a group that remains active today.
In recent years, Rich has been fortunate to work with a variety of artists, including the lively and energetic Medicine Men and the Westside Girls, and continues to share his love of drumming across different musical projects.
Doug Katchorek
– Bass
Doug Katchorek’s musical journey started in the Chippewa Valley High School jazz band, where he discovered his love for the bass. His passion for music led him to the Detroit east side rock club scene, where he played with high school friends in the band Minds Eye. Seeking new experiences, Doug then took his talents to the Caribbean, performing on a cruise ship and captivating audiences at sea.
Back in Detroit, Doug’s versatility as a musician shone through as he played numerous one-nighter gigs around the city. He joined the blues band, The Boogie Men, and recorded a couple of albums with local singer/guitarist Duane Allen Harlick. Doug’s musical exploration continued with the innovative jam band Sandbox, featuring keyboardist Andy Adamson.
Several years ago Doug was invited to join Medicine Men and the Westside Girls. Since then, he has been having a fantastic time with these incredible musicians and beautiful people. Doug’s diverse musical background and dedication to his craft add a rich layer to the band’s sound and performance.
Cheryl (Sofi) McIntire
– Vocals, Percussion
Cheryl McIntire, also known by friends as Sofi, has been entertaining audiences with her vocals and percussion skills since 2015 as a member of Medicine Men and the Westside Girls. Raised in Michigan, Sofi’s passion for music was ignited at an early age, attending live performances by legendary acts like The Rationals, SRC, Grand Funk Railroad, The Yardbirds, Janis Joplin, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, and countless other R&B, soul, and classic rock bands of the ’60s and ’70s. From intimate small-town roller rinks to iconic venues like the Grande Ballroom and Fillmore West, Sofi immersed herself in the vibrant music scene, soaking in the magic of nearly every major pop festival across the country.
In the early 1980s, Sofi embraced family life but never drifted far from her musical roots. While remaining involved in the R&B, soul, and classic rock communities, she also performed traditional Native music across Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, adding yet another dimension to her musical journey.
Currently, Sofi continues to perform with Medicine Men and the Westside Girls, sharing her talents with audiences in the Ann Arbor area at least once a month. She is also preparing for solo performances with the “Women of Rock” showcase, scheduled for May 2025 in Ann Arbor, where she will further showcase her range as a vocalist.
Michael (Redd Alert) Moenart
-Drums
Michael “Redd Alert” Moenart began his musical journey at the young age of 12, discovering a passion for playing music that has only grown stronger over the years. By the early ’80s, he was jamming with local bands, building his skills and a reputation as a talented and dedicated musician. His journey through the late ’80s and early ’90s saw him playing with notable musicians like Matt Cecora from The Harry Kiniption Band and Terry Samuels in a group called Shadow Alley. These collaborations were pivotal in shaping his musical style and deepening his love for performing live.
Redd often reflects on the joy he feels when he’s on stage. “I can’t wait to get on stage to play for people,” he says. “It’s such a fun experience. And I have the support from my wife and kids.” The support from his family fuels his passion and drive, making his performances even more meaningful.
Originally from Livonia, MI, Redd later moved to Pinckney before eventually settling in Howell, where he continues to be an active part of the local music scene. His connection to Medicine Men and the Westside Girls is strong, bringing his energy and experience to every performance. Through the years, Redd has maintained his love for music and a commitment to sharing that love with audiences, making him a cherished figure in his community. Redd also plays with The Harry Kiniption Band.
Carol Shaw
– Vocals, Percussion
“The life I love is making music with my friends”. From Carol Shaw’s perspective, Willie Nelson just about says it all with that one line!
Carol’s family will always be her most cherished and beloved, but the continued and lasting joy of merging together musically just underscores the thrill of performing. For her, united harmony is far more satisfying than any solo could ever be.
Carol sang her first solo at a Christmas celebration at 5th Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, in 1953. She was 2 years old. It was a candle-lit service, and the entire congregation held their candles up in the darkened auditorium while she sang “Away In the Manger.” She was given a candle to hold too! The image is still strong in her mind, and she laughs when she remembers asking her mother the meaning of the lyrics “the cattle are lowing.” Her mother explained that lowing meant mooing. She couldn’t begin to comprehend why they didn’t just sing ‘mooing!’
Her family moved to Michigan ten years later, and to her amazement, they had choir class 3 days a week! It was delightful for her to learn about harmony and intonation and to gain regular experience of interacting together to create something beautiful. She credits that opportunity as providing the foundation needed to be an active part of working on a musical team, which is her favorite thing about singing.
John Babij
– Sound Engineer
And, behind the scenes is the Sound Engineer…
John Babij’s passion for music began at a young age, sparked by family gatherings around the piano, where his mother would play Christmas songs as he and his siblings sang along. His musical journey continued through boys’ choir during grade school and high school, but it was seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show that solidified his path. Although he had an ear for music, his talent for capturing moments led him toward a different role in the music industry. In 1978 this passion guided him to the Recording Institute of America in Detroit, where he learned the technical side of audio.
After excelling in his studies and graduating at the top of his class, John was offered a teaching position at Specs Howard, a new media school. However, he chose to venture out independently, investing in microphones and recording equipment while his friends were buying guitars and drums. This decision marked the beginning of Blashill Audio Video, a labor of love that has spanned over 40 years. Through this endeavor, John has had the privilege of working alongside numerous musicians, honing his craft and learning continuously. For John, the journey has been a vibrant and rewarding one, filled with creativity and the joy of capturing music’s magic—never a dull moment.