Mike "Raff" Rafferty
D.O.B. 1/3/1959

I started my sound career in the spring of 1980 with a Pocono Mountain band called "Rubiayat". Since that time I have toured most of the East Coast with bands such as "The Old #7 Band", "Centaur", and "Gandalf" through 1987.When I left Gandalf in1987 I went to California and started a national tour with Geffen recording artists "Y&T" supporting their "Contagious" album which
 featured drummer Jimmy Degrasso. "Y&T" has had major success, mainly on the West Coast and Over-seas, has boasted 26 albums, and had a top ten hit with the song"Summer Time Girl's" from the album "Down for the Count" but the band is relatively unknown on the East Coast.

During this time I also worked with some heavy metal greats such as "Iron Maiden", "Ace Frehley" of "Kiss", "Faster Pussycat" and "White Lion".At the conclusion of this period, from what I can remember, I returned to the East Coast and joined up with the Reading, PA based band "Arthur's Museum" featuring guitarist Richie Kotzen who later went on to replace guitarist C.C. Deville in the
band "Poison".
When Richie left "Arthur's Museum" to join "Poison" the group disbanded and Istarted an international tour with Shrapnel recording artists "Howe II" which featured guitarist Greg Howe and drummer Kevin Soffera. Greg Howe has 10 solo albums and has graced the stage with superstars Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake just to name a few.

Since those days I have been free lancing and having fun with some of the local favorite's and still do sound for the Southern Rock band "Blackfoot" when they are within driving distance of the Pocono's.
 

So if you are out to see the Blue Emerald Band stop buy the sound board to
say "Hello" and I still enjoy a sip of Jack Daniels. After the show when you
 go home to bed and your ears are ringing all I have to say is…..You are welcome!