Bob and Sondra were high school classmates and they met Gil through mutual musician friends in the mid-70's. Over the years these three have worked together in several musical groups and on various musical projects. In 1989 they joined MCA recording artist Barry Lee Harwood (formerly of the groups Lobo and The Rossington-Collins Band) as founding members of Little Maggie.
L to R: Barry Lee Harwood, Tim Lindsey, Debbie Bailey, Bob, Sondra and Gil
The original Little Maggie roster also included bassist Tim Lindsey, who is currently working with the southern rock group Molly Hatchet, and pop vocalist Debbie Bailey, who later toured for one season as a back-up vocalist with Lynyrd Skynyrd. This eclectic and somewhat unexpected grouping of musicial talent was sometimes likened to a "Southern Boogie version of Fleetwood Mac". During their first year Little Maggie was house band at a favorite Jacksonville westside night spot called Kahoots, where they received regular on-stage visits by both famous and yet-to-be-famous musical artists and collegues.
The following season the group amassed more fans and followers when they worked as house band at a Neptune Beach nightclub called J. D. Sneakers. They were featured as the opening act for The Greg Allman Band, made appearances on local television and radio shows and appeared as guest performers on the nationally televised Hospice Benefit Concert.
At Kahoots - L to R: Sondra, Gary Rossington, Gil, Randall Hall & Tim Lindsey (behind Randall)
Debbie left the group early on and now co-owns and manages a restaurant with her husband in Jacksonville Beach. Later that year when Tim left the band, his vacancy was filled by original Molly Hatchet bassist, Banner Thomas. When personal circumstances prevented Gil from continuing to perform with the group on a regular basis, Garrison "The Big Guy" Radai stepped in to do the honors on drum kit. Later on, Barry Lee left the group to return to his roots in country and gospel music.
Little Maggie"Part 2" - with Banner Thomas (center) & Garrison Radai (right) after a show at the legendary Bobby's Hideaway in Waldo, Florida.
With the new line-up, Little Maggie then played the north and central Florida area as a four piece act until Banner left to join former Blackfoot guitarist Charlie Hargrett to establish the band Black Molly. At that time, in the tradition of The Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzarek, Sondra added left-hand bass to her duties as the group's keyboard player and the band continued working as a three-piece group.
In the mid-90's Bob and Sondra, both of whom are veteran road warriors, began what they thought would be just a few out-of-town gigs. Those few gigs turned into a six year stint of road work. During this interim they performed all over the continental United States under the name Lamajam. They also recorded a 'by request' album entitled "Whole Lotta Rock".
Late in 2001 Bob and Sondra returned to Jacksonville. After a long overdue respite from their intense road schedule, they reunited with Gil and began playing under the name The Bocats. Since then, most of their appearances have been in the north Florida/south Georgia area. But there have been recent "Cat sightings" reported in places like southern Florida, Disney World and Northern California.
