Finally Friday

The Band

Finally Friday started as a collaboration of young and well-trained neighborhood musicians in the spring of 2004. After playing together at private parties and building a repertoire of original songs composed by contributions from all the band members, the band entered and won Skyline High’s 2004 Battle of the Bands, receiving $800 in recording time at a local studio and an invitation to play at the State-level Battle of the Bands. During the State competition, Judges working in the music industry offered several encouraging accolades to the band. The Utah PTA organization, which put on the competition, extended a special invitation for the band to play for the 2004 PTA Convention in front of Governor Olene Walker.

The band continued momentum in the recording studio and returned in 2005 to again win Skyline’s 2005 Battle of the bands amid very talented competition. They received 2nd place honors at the 2005 State High School Battle of the Bands, winning a cash prize. The band has taken stage at local venues including The Circuit, building their fan base through their energy and distinctive sound.

Recently Finally Friday was announced as the 2005 winners of Utah’s Next music competition sponsored by Highway Records. Several professionals in the music industry commented on the astounding level of talent of the competitors. During the competition the band was able to play live on ABC 4’s morning television show Good Things Utah. The band was awarded with a 4-song demo CD to be recorded at the Soularium, a state-of-the-art recording studio in the Valley. They are excited about the chance to work on several of their original songs. The song “Merry-go-round” has received particular attention during the well-publicized competition.

The band is both young and experienced: Collectively they have over 40 years of music experience. Individually the band members have impressive resumes. Both David and Emily are music instructors. DJ and Steve perform with the Troubadours, a traveling chorale group of which DJ is President. Charles plays drums in a jazz band that was among only 12 bands to be invited to play in a national-level event. Emily is an alumna of the Berklee College of Music in Boston where she attended on a talent-based scholarship. Put them all together and what do you get? The award-winning acoustic rock band Finally Friday!

The Group is led by David Crosby, who plays lead guitar and sings lead vocals. DJ Hesterman plays harmony vocals and guitar. Steve Crosby plays Bass. Charles Stewart plays percussion. Emily Nicolich plays violin. David and Steve are brothers. DJ and Emily are brother and sister. DJ and Emily are grandchildren of celebrity DJ Daddy-O Bill Hesterman, a prominent figure in Salt Lake City AM radio history and personal friend of The Beach Boys. Together the group has collaborated to produce over a dozen original songs.