When Bernard “Bud” Bobber and his band, Mission River Band, get together to rock ‘n roll, they “rock for a reason,” as the band likes to say.
Bobber, a partner with Foley & Lardner LLP practicing at the firm’s Milwaukee office, has played for the six-man band since its formation in 2005. The ensemble emerged from a shared love of music among Bobber, four fellow members from his church, Lumen Christi Catholic Church in Mequon, and a neighbor of one of the band mates. Bobber calls them his best friends.
“My bandmates are not only strong musicians,” Bobber said. “They are really great guys who have great families, successful careers, and who contribute graciously to their church and broader community.”
The cover band, which performs classic rock tunes such as Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and a number of Beatles songs, mostly plays for charitable causes, volunteering their time and bringing their own equipment.
The group has entertained crowds at more than 50 charitable events this year, including fundraising events for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin, according to Bobber.
“It’s so much better in terms of the payoff just to us than playing in a tavern or playing at somebody’s house party or what regular cover bands do,” Bobber said. “It’s really meaningful to have a bunch of people come and say, “You guys really made it. You guys really made it today,’ and it was for a good cause.”
