By Brett Ratner

magine if George Clinton and Bill Monroe started a band.

Toledo Ohio's local heroes The Rivermen have inadvertently attempted to answer that question. To make it even more interesting, they've added elements of Bob Dylan, John Prine, Lyle Lovett and The Band's Robbie Robertson to the sonic stew as well.

The result is a funky, countryfied, folk-flavored rock that satisfies the separate needs of your head, your heart, and your bootie. The three-part vocal trio of Michelle McGrath, keyboardist/vocalist Mike Moneystone (formerly of Parliament Funkadelic), and songwriter/percussionist Jeremy Lindsay create haunting threads of melody over the groove-laden foundation of bassist Duval Overton, drummer Andre Bishop and guitarist Jim McLean.

The group has built a rabid following in Toledo and the surrounding area and is beginning to break out of their current "regional stature." The cause has been helped by successful double bills with George Clinton Jr.'s band 2G while sales of their independent release Wide Water Sun and a follow-up live record spreads the good word when they're not on stage. All in all, The Rivermen are proving to have wide appeal and a diverse audience.

Lindsay says the band's growing success stems from their ability to combine styles of music in a way that almost anyone can find something to like in the music. Lindsay says that there is a risk as well.

"As far as the music is concerned, we're throwing in a lot of wide-ranging and potentially divergent stands in to the mix," Lindsay said. "We're not doing it for some kind of shock value, but with the belief that there are connections between them and that it's a doable thing."

It's a "doable thing" because every member of the band is a talent in his or her own right.

"Part of it is inevitable in that there are six members of the band and a sort of honorary seventh percussionist," Lindsay said. "There is a lot of background with these people, so there is going to be sort of a synthesis of different styles. The rhythm section that we have is very groove-based but the melodies really get around and open everything up to different styles; old soul, funk, blues to folkier-type music and bluegrass."

Songwriting is a joint effort, which guarantees that the diversity between members permeates the song as well.

"We have an eclectic songwriting process in that I don't play a chordal instrument," Lindsay said, noting that he generally comes in with words, a melody and a groove, letting the band take it from there.

With the parts in place, The Rivemen then take it from there, exploring new frontiers in jamming, which is why Lindsay points out that this is a band to see live in order to truly get the vibe.

"There is something to hearing us in person," Lindsay said. "The six or seven of us really come together with an audience. You just can't capture that on tape."

To learn more about the Rivermen, please visit their web site at http://www.further.com/rivermen