Jeff Poirier • Lifetime Achievement Award

Since the inception of the Review Music Awards back in 1987 there have been only four recipients of this special award for Lifetime Achievement. The first was Larry McCray back in 1991 when he first signed with Virgin Records and commenced his European Tour, followed by Saginaw born legendary Jazz saxophonist Sonny Stitt, and most recently Michael Brush and the late-great Al Limberg, who started the music store Watermelon Sugar and served as a sound technician and spiritual advisor to numerous bands throughout the region.

Consideration of this honor for lifetime achievement is predicated upon suggestions  presented to the Music Awards Committee for artists and individuals from the Great Lakes Bay Region who have reached a level of professional accomplishment that has not only impacted the musical arts throughout our region, but also benefitted, cultivated, and enriched the musical arts well beyond the physical boundaries of our tri-city area.

Jeff Poirier certainly meets each of these standards. A formidable Bay City-based musician who has helped shaped the sound of numerous bands over the expanse of his 30-plus year career, Jeff successfully developed and has staged the annual Band Roulette showcase - an innovative fundraiser that to date has generated over $29,000 benefitting numerous non-profit musical-based organizations  and educational programs throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Jeff first picked up the bass (and the guitar) in 1975 at the age of 12. Cutting his chops with numerous garage bands in high school, Jeff began playing professionally in bar bands in 1982. From that time to present some of the more notable bands he has performed with include Over Time, Mirage, Buzzcoat, Working Class, The Dogs, Trip Zero, Dr. Rock, Jedi Mind Trip, The Go Daddys, Beggars Union, The Sinclairs, Marsupial Creampie, Empty Canvas, and Acoustic Cocktail. Now Jeff is focusing on solo and duo acoustic performances.

A father to 4 kids  (Terry, Evan, Elise, an Laura) who also have musically gifted talents and have created their own notable high marks professionally, here is a breakdown of some of the highlights that have distinguished Jeff’s career:

1998: Jeff’s band Buzzcoat was chosen to perform at Detroit Pistons games.

2000: In a national talent search, Jeff was picked to perform on The Sally Jesse Raphael Show.

2003: Jeff made such an impression on Sally’s producer, she invited him to return for a performance on The Ricki Lake Show in a talent competition featuring celebrity judges. (a’ la American Idol) Actress Mo'nique (who would go on to win an Oscar) described Jeff as having the stage presence of a rock star.

2011-2012 - Jeff and his four kids formed the band “The DNA Chain”. Playing several shows and auditioning in Chicago for America’s Got Talent. A few fun facts about this experience: Both Jeff and Terry had gigs the night before auditions and left Bay City at 3 AM to drive all night to Chicago, where they sat on the floor in a conference space at Navy Pier waiting for their time slot. “We waited over 11 hours before we finally auditioned at 7 PM,” notes Jeff. “We didn’t make it past round one, but that’s a family trip I’ll remember like no other!”

2017 - Present: Creator/ Producer of Band Roulette. An annual benefit show that has raised over $29,000 for youth music education programs.

Jeff has opened for Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat, Edgar Winter, April Wine, The Spin Doctors, Scandal, Quiet Riot, Warrant, and many more.