Cool Rush has been in existence since 2015. The band has been through several members throughout this time and each member, past and present, has tried hard to give a professional look and sound with their unique talents.
In this last couple of years the band has played on KUSI’s “Good Morning San Diego” four times as of now. In addition to many local venues, the band has played at Humphreys Backstage Live. We have played Oceanside’s July 3rd/Birthday 2-3 years running now. We have played casinos as well. Our gigs also extend up to the Rancho Mirage/Palm Springs area. In addition we play wineries, weddings and all kinds of corporate events
The band has changed along the way and during this time has fine tuned down the music to not just include a lot of the classics of rock, pop, blues and R&B but to also bring in songs that are not what we would call in the “over-played” category. In the year of 2020, we made a change and brought on a powerhouse female vocalist; Courtney Flowers. We were so fortunate to get her. We think you will agree. Included in the band are brothers; Bill (guitar/vocals) and Jim Rieger (keyboard/vocals). These brothers are dedicated to making the song sound as close to the original as possible for your listening pleasure. We use no tracks or pre-recorded music. In 2024 Mark Sinatra (Dums/Vocals) had to back off playing full time as he moved to Lake Big Bear which was a long way to travel. It got to be too much for Mark and he gave up full time playing but now is our fill-in drummer when needed. On drums/Vocals we have Rick Gill laying down the groove. We have Dan Eller laying down the bass (and managing the band as well).
When you see Cool Rush you will see a band that tries to bring you the best songs played in the best way. Bring your dancing shoes when you come to see the band!
Courtney Flowers (Lead Vocals): Courtney sang contemporary gospel in her church choir for 7 years, where she developed her voice. It was there where she learned to harmonize and blend. She loves all genres of music and is an avid concertgoer. She admits she is now starting to find her own sound, rather than copy other artists’ interpretations.
Dan Eller (Bass/Vocals): Dan learned how to play guitar after seeing The Beatles movie HARD DAY’S NIGHT. Soon after he moved to Washington state, he helped form a classic rock band, which played the northeastern part of the state. Years later, Dan moved back to the San Diego area and got involved in several bands over the following years. He is Cool Rush Band’s bass guitarist and manager.
Bill Rieger (Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals): Bill has performed for more than 40 years in LA, Cleveland and Orange County. Whether playing electric or acoustic, he performs Classic Rock, Blues, R&B, Jazz and Country. He has also backed up or opened for Little Anthony, The Coasters and The Drifters. Bill is also a studio musician and guitar instructor.
Jim Rieger (Keyboard/Vocals): Jim studied piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Indiana University. Joining the Cleveland music scene, he wrote, produced, and recorded jingles among others. He also played on session with some established artists such as Gene Simmons of KISS. With the Frank Ricci Band, Jim backed up concert acts, including Little Anthony and opened for The Drifters, The Coasters and 80s-90s Country artist; Shelly West.
Rick Gill (Drummer/Vocalist): Growing up in Orange County, CA in the early-60s, Rick began mimicking the drums and singing to radio tunes. At age 12, after getting his first partial set of drums and lessons at the local music store, Rick began teaching himself. Rick’s first real “awe moment” was in 10th grade, during a school party, sitting in on drums with the band. It was then that he received his first applause, after pulling off the now famous drum solos to “In a Gadda Da Vida” & “Wipe Out” … The rest is history!
In the late 70s, in Riverside, and San Diego in the 80s, & 90s, Rick has been a member of many local cover bands as drummer and singer. Rosewood, Rival, The Wild Rose Silver Dollar Band (with sister Rose Gill), and Nite Hawk, to name a few.
In the 2000’s it was The Wild Night Band, whose members included Rick, Bob Rupple, and brothers Bill & Jim Rieger (yes, the same two in Cool Rush). In 2018, after returning from a short stay in Seattle, Rick became a member of the bands Mirage, Boogie Xpress, The Cliffs, and his own band Neon Mix.
Rick has also been the go-to stand-in drummer for Cool Rush since 2018.