FurLow Riders feature UW-L talent

What do you get when you combine an attorney, a professor, and a chancellor? The Fur Low Riders—a bluesy rock band containing some of UW- La Crosse’s finest professionals.
The music-loving trio, made up of Chancellor Joe Gow, psychology professor Bart VanVoorhis and attorney Nizam Arain, first joined forces at an annual party VanVoorhis hosted in August.
VanVoorhis had recently taken his drums home after 20 years of storage at his parents’ house, and Gow, not wanting to pass up a chance to jam, requested that the drums be set up for the party. By the end of the night, the two found a bassist in Arain, the husband of a UW-L professor, and the band was born.
In need of a name, the band wanted to come up with a spoof on state mandated furloughs.  Gow suggested Fur Low Riders, with War’s hit song “Low Rider” in mind, and the name stuck.
While the Fur Low Riders have only been playing together for about five months, each member has had their own share of musical experiences.
Many students are aware that their Chancellor is an avid guitarist. “I starting playing the guitar when I received one for my tenth birthday,” Gow says, “So I guess I’ve been playing for about 40 years.” 
Gow added vocalist to his musical title during college, and says he’s been in countless bands in the past.  But he’s enjoying playing with the Fur Low Riders the most, saying, “It’s so much fun to be playing blues and rock again—perhaps like Brett Favre savoring the chance to return to enjoying football so much.”
Arain has been slappin’ the bass for about 15 years.  Although he didn’t start playing bass until his undergrad days, his musical debut started at the age of eight with piano lessons.  Playing in four bands throughout college, law school and ten years of living in Chicago, Arain has always been able to make time for his passion. “Music has been a part of my life for a long time, and I see it as a continuous process of learning and exploration,” he says.
VanVoorhis started playing percussion in his elementary school concert band. While he owned a drum set, VanVoorhis didn’t start playing it until he was asked to replace a band’s drummer. “I tried to explain that although I owned a drum set, I did not know how to play it, but I ended up playing with that band for about ten years,” VanVoorhis says.
The Fur Low Riders started their band to have fun and continue with their passion for music.  “It’s fun to play for people, but I think we would get together in Joe’s basement and jam regardless,” says VanVoorhis. 
However, the band does enjoy performing for students and anyone interested. “I think the best part about playing in this band is having the opportunity to interact with the members of the UW-L community on a very relaxed basis,” says Gow.  After watching him joke around and dance with audience members during a set at The Eagle’s Nest on Jan. 14, it’s easy to see that Gow has a good time performing.
According to Arain, there’s more to performing for students than just having fun. “It's evident to me that the students appreciate having leaders and mentors who they can connect with on many different levels, and I think Joe and Bart are great examples in that regard,” he says.
The Fur Low Riders perform hits from bands such as The Doors, Cream and The Rolling Stones once or twice a month.  Students can check out their web site at furlowriders.com for pictures, videos, and information on upcoming gigs.
 

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