Near the end of 1979, Shakey Jake was formed when Richard Gulley booked a New Year's gig at Rolla's Tavern in Christopher. Borrowing use of a practise house in Mulkeytown to prepare for the gig, Harry Kinley, who had returned to the area after playing out east, joined Richard, along with Robert Wells, and Mike Stritzel, for the four rehearsals before the 1980 New Year celebration. This original lineup played the area for exactly a year and split up at the next New Year's gig in Herrin.

Six years later, they decided to reform and have been an area mainstay since that time. Bass players have included Jaybone, Moe and Woots, and rhythm players have included the late Richard Alm, but the current lineup of Alan Graham on drums, Mike Stritzel on bass, Matt Williams on lead guitar, and Robert Wells on vocal and harp, are currently rockin' the area. Randy Wells is the heavy light man and assists on vocals when asked. They have two CD's, "Shakin' the Shed", from 1998, and "Johnny Highway", just released, both are all about the music.

Influenced by many rock, blues, and jazz musicians, their sound is a mix of smoky blues rock and classic party down tunes. Many of these original songs are available on the internet at shakeyjakeband.com. Come see these guys kickin' out their sounds that have become a tradition in the area music scene.