Shrink The Deficit is a five-decade-strong Baltimore band bringing nostalgic throwbacks — with a few refreshing originals mixed in — to benefit concerts, public concert series, bars, and private celebrations.
Raising funds and spirits for local nonprofits and community causes.
Park series, town squares, and other public-venue summer stages.
A full night of classic rock that keeps the room singing along.
Weddings, anniversaries, and parties that deserve a live band.
Since a fateful meeting at a Dan Fogelberg concert in 1975, Shrink The Deficit has been creating and performing classic rock & roll in the Baltimore area. What started as a shared love of the music turned a hobby into a life-long passion — and five decades later, they're still at it.
Whether you catch them at a local Baltimore bar or book them for your next benefit show or private party, Shrink The Deficit provides a nostalgic throwback — with some refreshing originals mixed in.
Andy, the leader of the band, fell in love with rock and roll growing up in the '60s. He performed with multiple rock bands through the '60s and early '70s. Funny enough, he and Jon Book actually attended the same elementary school — though the two never crossed paths back then. It wasn't until years later, in medical school, that they properly met and became friends, both eventually going on to become psychiatrists. Soon after, they connected with Jon's college buddy, Dave — an accountant — and the nucleus of Shrink The Deficit was formed.
Besides performing and recording with the band, Andy has pursued a solo career in synthesizer-based instrumental composition — recording soundtracks for educational videos and appearing as a featured artist on NPR's Morning Edition, where his original compositions remain part of the show's music library to this day.
Ed joined the fold more recently, but has been a solid staple of the group for over a decade – the percussion backbone of the band. Behind the kit, Ed keeps every set locked into rhythm, driving the energy whether it's a quiet backyard party, a packed bar on a Saturday night, or a benefit concert in front of a crowd of strangers.
Dave met Jon in college through a mutual friend, and the two started playing together long before Shrink The Deficit existed. In 1975, at a Dan Fogelberg concert, Jon introduced Dave to Andy — and the three of them became the founding nucleus of the band.
Dave's guitar work and vocals have been part of the sound ever since, holding down harmonies and helping shape the songs across five decades of gigs, from backyard cookouts to full nights on stage.
Jon and Andy actually grew up attending the same elementary school, though the two never met as kids. In his own elementary school orchestra, Jon played trumpet — it turned out the trumpet wasn't destined to be his instrument. By high school he'd picked up the guitar and was playing in several local rock and roll bands. Through a mutual friend, he met Dave in college, and it wasn't until medical school — years later — that he and Andy finally connected, sharing instruments and playing together occasionally.
After graduation the two began playing regularly and took their first serious gig in St. Croix. That same year, at a Dan Fogelberg concert, Jon introduced Andy to Dave and a trio was formed. They got together often, mostly playing for fun, for friends, and the occasional gig — and when they decided the band needed a proper rock and roll rhythm section, Jon switched to bass, which he loves, and the band added a drummer.
Two sets built for a room that wants to sing along.
Benefit concerts, public concert series, bars, weddings, and private parties across the Baltimore area. Tell us the occasion, date, and crowd size and we'll get back to you fast.