The Barn Owls bring music to life with passion, playing gigs from cozy bars to lively summer festivals. We are seven musicians with one shared mission: to play music that moves people. With roots in jam, blues, rock, Americana, and beyond, every member brings something unique to the stage.
Our Story
The Barn Owls came together in 2023 at The Barn in Jackson, New Jersey, under the guidance of local legend “Speedway Boogie” Steve — born out of a series of jam sessions that proved too good to stop. With decades of combined experience across blues, rock, Americana, and jazz, the band found an effortless chemistry — and a shared love of letting the music breathe and go wherever it wants to go.
Our Roots
The musicians that make up the Barn Owls bring a lifetime of experience to the stage, with some members playing together as far back as the late 70s. Between them all, they’ve shared bills with legends like BB King and James Cotton, as well as members of The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, The Yardbirds, and The Grateful Dead — played stages from smoky bars to major festivals, and explored everything from classic rock and bluegrass to reggae, Latin jazz, and beyond. When they came together as the Barn Owls, all of that history found a new home.
Meet Us
Brian “Spider” Daniels – guitar, vocals
Playing jam music since 1974, Spider has shared stages with members of The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, The Outlaws, and The Yardbirds. After years of playing with Al and Bob in various lineups — including a stint in California playing bluegrass and a reggae/Latin jazz band called Black Market — Spider co-founded The Spider Daniels Band (SDB), a rotating collective playing everything from country and blues to jazz and jam. His eclectic taste and improvisational instincts are at the heart of the Barn Owls’ sound.
Al “Albie” LoBue – guitar, vocals
1976, Jersey City; 16 year-old guitarist Albie LoBue joins up with bass legend Matt D’Esposito and his band Sierra for a couple of years. In 1979, multi-instrumental wizard Bobby Cebalo finds bandless Albie wandering on Central Avenue and invites him to jam with guitar titan Spider Daniels, who had just returned from California with fresh musical ideas. They form Black Market, playing reggae, NOLA funk and Latin jazz till 1982. After this Al entered the professional club and show band circuit, playing mostly in Atlantic City from 1983 until his musical retirement in 1990. Flash forward to 2025, Albie reconnects with Spider and Bobby, who invite him to join a great group of guys called The Barn Owls. And here we are.
Tim Prahm – bass, vocals
Playing “live” since 1975. Also playing with “Spider and Friends” and “The Spider Daniels Band”. Tim has been a working bassist and vocalist for many acts as a “hired gun” player, and played extensively during the “Urban Cowboy” days of the 80’s and 90’s. A mix of Rock and Roll, Country, Jazz, Blues, Americana, Fusion and Prog are his influences. Rick Danko, Phil Lesh, James Jamerson, Jack Bruce, Francis Rocco Prestia, Berry Oakley, Kenny Gradney, Ronnie Wood and many others have influenced his playing style. He’s also a former touring audio engineer. He’s worked shows with John Sebastian, Roger Mcguinn, Billy Cox, R.E.M, Ziggy Marley, Hubert Sumlin, Willy Porter, Jorma Kaukonen and members of The Grateful Dead.
Doug Scocco – keys
Bio coming soon.
Bob Cebalo – harmonica, percussion, various
Bio coming soon.
Steve Taylor – percussion
I started playing Congas at 11 years old when my dad brought me one back from his trip to Costa Rica. From there I started playing and collecting all types of hand drums and exploring different genres. My first band was in 2016 with Classic Flashback. Fast forward to 2023 — after playing in The Green Dream for two years, I moved on and assembled many different musicians for jams at our barn in Jackson. It was there I collaborated with Brian Daniels and the Barn Owls were formed! Playing Classic Rock is my ultimate favorite!
Ralph Albano – drums
A third-generation drummer with roots in North Jersey, Ralph has played everything from classic rock and blues to jam, with stints in 4-Play, Smokin’ Catfish (w/Doug), The Deak Harp Blues Band, and Rogues On The Run. As drummer for The Deak Harp Blues Band he opened for blues legend James Cotton, and during his time with Rogues On The Run shared the stage with many great musicians including BB King. After a 20-year break from music, Ralph briefly reunited with his Smokin’ Catfish bandmates in 2022 before finding his way back to music with The Barn Owls.