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The year was 1976, and the airwaves were filled with the “urban cowboy” sound and the rebellious songs of Willie and Waylon.  It was then that a new Quad City band was conceived.  Founded by drummer Jim Van Acker and guitarist Tony Hoeppner, The Blue Collar Boys began performing covers of this popular new country sound.  After recruiting bassist George Riedesel and guitarist Dick “Buddy” Olson, the band enjoyed successfully performing at many local venues and special events.

But the band member’s “true love” was classic rock and the group re-emerged as The Blue Collar Band.  John Burchett took over on bass and Tom Bails on guitar.  The band worked steadily over the next twenty years with many fine musicians adding to the rich legacy of the band.  These included Jim Schwall, Rick Maddelein, Ellis Kell, Mike Wallace, Andy Harris, guitarist Dick “Buddy” Olson, and bassist Steve Svec.  The band’s first CD, “Champagne”, was released in 1998 featuring the songwriting of Tony Hoeppner along with the Quad Cities first locally produced multi-media segment.  Lead vocalist Carol Anne Chouteau joined the band in 1999.

In 2002, Tony Hoeppner decided to retire from performing to concentrate on writing and recording his own material.  With Mike Wallace also leaving the band to perform solo, guitarist/songwriter Rick Maddelein reunited with the group.  Rick’s brother and Jim’s cousin, Bob Maddelein, was recruited on bass guitar as Steve Svec moved on to play lead guitar in the Fall of 2005.

With Carol Anne Chouteau on lead vocals, Rick Maddelein on guitar, Bob Maddelein on bass, and Jim Van Acker on drums, the band boasts a unique and exciting new sound in the classic rock genre. 

The Blue Collar Band, proud to be sponsored by Budweiser, is thriving and performing extensively in the Quad City area.

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 Carol Anne Chouteau
If there is a song that Carol Anne Chouteau can’t sing, we haven’t found it yet.

A Quad City native, Carol Anne is the lead singer for The Blue Collar Band. She began her singing career while attending high school.  In addition to performing with the school choir, she sang many solos in school musicals and variety shows, eventually winning a slot in the state choir competition. 

Immediately after high school, Carol Anne started singing with the band called The Main Event.  While performing, she attended St. Ambrose University where she continued her work in musical theatre.  Carol Anne received a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance.  After college, Carol Anne did stints singing lead for bands such as The Soundsations and Outta da Blooz, eventually joining The Blue Collar Band in 1999.  Recently she performed with her brother-in-law on his composition regaling the city of Davenport.

Performing everything from Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin, Heart to Shania Twain in styles ranging from blues and jazz to hard rock and pop, her amazing range and sultry interpretations had one local media reviewer pronouncing her one of the finest lead singers in the Quad Cities area.

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Jim VanAcker      

It’s been said that Jim Van Acker was born to play drums.  As a youngster, he was constantly beating on the furniture and anything else in the room.  Whether impressed or annoyed, his parents finally bought him a pair of drumsticks and a drum pad at the age of ten.  Shortly after moving with his family to Georgia, Jim’s drum pad was upgraded to a full set of drums and a life-long love of “setting the beat” had begun.

In 1963, Jim’s family returned to the Quad Cities just in time.  His cousin Rick Maddelein had taken up the guitar and wanted to start a band. Along with Jim’s brother and a friend from school, The Jaguars was created.  The band played many school events and teen dances.  By the mid-sixties, the band had evolved into Five Of A Kinde, playing top-40 hits and touring with a local disc-jockey.  Later, they regrouped as Everybody, a popular Quad Cities band known for their creedence sound.

The early-seventies brought Jim an opportunity to serve his country in the military.  After his discharge, he joined forces with longtime friend Tony Hoeppner to form The Blue Collar Boys.  After a few years of playing country hits, the band reformed as The Blue Collar Band, changing its format to classic rock and he’s been in the band ever since as drummer and vocalist.

Jim is the band's "fearless leader" and is responsible for assembling the current line-up, joining forces with lead vocalist Carol Anne Chouteou, lead guitarist Rick Maddelein, and bass wizard Bob Maddelein.

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  Rick Maddelein  

Rick Maddelein knew at any early age that music would play an important role in his life when his older brother Paul showed him a six-string before little Ricky’s first birthday.  It was love at first sight!   Growing up with the sounds of Elvis, Ricky Nelson, and the Ventures saturating AM radio, Rick dreamed of having an electric guitar.  Finally after saving money earned from a paper route, Rick bought his first guitar, an old accoustic, at just nine-years-old.  It was the beginning of his lifelong dedication to his craft and an example of his strong work ethic.

  Rick’s dream of going electric came true in 1962 when his parents bought him his first electric guitar and amplifier.  He immediately began honing his skills, teaching himself guitar instrumentals by such legendary groups as the Ventures.  A year later, along with his cousin, Jim Van Acker, Ricky formed The Jaguars and gained experience playing school functions and teen dances.  The band played constantly and eventually evolved into Five of a Kinde a band that toured the region with area disc jockeys.  By the late sixties, the band members came of age and regrouped as Everybody, a popular Quad Cities band known for their “Creedence” sound.

  After serving his country in the military, Rick returned to the area music scene playing lead guitar for the West End Power System, and then the notable ‘70’s and ‘80’s band, The Atoms Family.  In a preview of what was to come, Rick did a one-year stint with The Blue Collar Band before “retiring” from the band business.  But even during this hiatus, music was an integral and important part of his life.

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Robert Maddelein

Boy, “The Bob” Maddelein grew up in a musical family. He spent many evenings with his family listening to live music at local clubs.  His brother, Rick, and cousins including Jim Van Acker played in rock bands.  Bob’s father was also a musician excelling on the chromatic harmonica.  Following in their footsteps, Bob bought his first guitar when he was 12, and soon after began studying keyboard.  He went on to play keyboards and guitar with The KIFF Boogie Band, a Quad Cities favorite in the 1980’s

Bob’s musical interest and expertise evolved into multi-media production.  Backed by friends and family, his company, Bunky Dog Productions produced many unique videos that featured customized music.  Bob, along with Jim VanAcker, produced the multi-media segment on “Champagne”, a 1998 release by The Blue Collar Band.  This CD was a first for a Quad Cities-based compact disk production.