You’ve probably seen the commercials. The flashy suits, the "come on down" catchphrase, and that unmistakable Norwood energy. Ernie Boch Jr. is a name synonymous with car dealerships in New England. But if you think the Ernie Boch Jr band—officially known as Ernie and the Automatics—was just a billionaire’s vanity project, you’re missing the actual story.
Honestly, it’s easy to be cynical. When a guy who owns half the car lots in Massachusetts decides to pick up a guitar, the assumption is usually that he’s just "paying for the experience." But that’s not what happened here. Not even close.
The Berklee Connection is No Joke
Ernie isn't some weekend warrior who learned three chords and bought a stage. He’s a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. He’s got the pedigree. He graduated back in 1982, and while the car business eventually called him home, he never really stopped being a musician.
The band itself, which formed around 2004 and hit its stride by 2006, was a powerhouse of Boston rock royalty. We aren’t talking about local wedding singers. We’re talking about guys who have sold millions of records.
Take a look at who was actually on stage:
- Barry Goudreau: The original guitarist for the band Boston. If you’ve heard "More Than a Feeling," you’ve heard Barry.
- Sib Hashian: The late, great drummer for Boston. He provided that massive, arena-rock heartbeat.
- Michael "Tunes" Antunes: The saxophonist from John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band. You might recognize him from the Eddie and the Cruisers movie.
- Tim Archibald and Brian Maes: Both alumni of RTZ and Berklee.
Basically, Ernie was the rhythm guitarist in a room full of legends. He often joked that he wasn't the "sharpest knife in the drawer" or the best player in the group, but he held his own. The chemistry worked because it was built on mutual respect and a shared history in the New England music scene.
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The Reality of Low Expectations
In 2009, the band released their debut album, Low Expectations. The title was a classic Ernie move—self-deprecating, a bit cheeky, and designed to lower the bar before they blew it out of the water.
It worked.
The album didn’t just sit in a warehouse. It actually debuted at number seven on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. It stayed there for six weeks. People weren't buying it out of pity; they were buying it because it was a solid, well-produced blues-rock record. Tracks like "The Good Times (Never Last)" and "Hong Kong Shuffle" showed a band that knew exactly how to groove.
They weren't just playing local bars, either. Ernie and the Automatics opened for the likes of B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Los Lobos. Imagine being the "car guy" and having to follow B.B. King. That takes serious guts—and enough talent to not get laughed off the stage.
Why They Called It Quits
By 2011, the ride was mostly over. Ernie decided to move on from the band to focus more on his philanthropic work and the growing demands of his business empire. It wasn't a messy breakup or a "behind the music" drama. It was just a natural conclusion to a seven-year run that most musicians would kill for.
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But the music didn't stop. It just changed shape.
The Legacy Beyond the Stage
While the Ernie Boch Jr band isn't touring the festival circuit anymore, its influence morphed into something much bigger: Music Drives Us.
Founded in 2006 (right when the band was heating up), this foundation has become a massive force for music education in New England. As of 2026, they are celebrating twenty years of keeping music programs alive in schools that have seen their budgets slashed.
Ernie used the momentum from the band and his public persona to donate millions of dollars, thousands of instruments, and hundreds of grants. It’s a rare case where the "rock star dream" was used as a literal engine to fund the dreams of kids who just want to learn how to play the flute or the drums.
What Most People Miss
The biggest misconception is that the band was just about Ernie. In reality, it was a tribute to the "Boston Sound." Having Barry Goudreau and Sib Hashian in the lineup meant the band carried the DNA of one of the greatest rock bands in history.
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It was a bridge between the high-flying arena rock of the 70s and 80s and the grit of the modern blues scene. They weren't trying to reinvent the wheel. They were just playing the music they loved with the people they respected.
How to Experience the Band Today
If you’re looking to dive into what made this group special, you can’t exactly catch them at the local theater this weekend. However, the footprint is still there:
- Find the Vinyl: Low Expectations is still floating around on secondary markets like Discogs. It’s worth a spin if you like soulful, horn-heavy blues rock.
- Watch the Tributes: There is a 2-DVD set titled Come Together: A Tribute To The Life Of Brad Delp. The Automatics were a central part of that emotional event, honoring the late Boston lead singer.
- Check Out "The Body Shop Sessions": This early release captures the band's raw energy before the Billboard success.
- Support Music Drives Us: If you want to honor what the band stood for, looking into their foundation is the best way to do it. They are still active across all six New England states.
The Ernie Boch Jr band was a specific moment in time. It was a collision of business savvy, legendary talent, and a genuine love for the blues. It proved that you can be the most famous car salesman in the country and still have the soul of a Berklee grad.
To truly understand the band, look past the "Boch" name and listen to the arrangements. You’ll hear a group of seasoned pros having the time of their lives, led by a guy who actually paid his dues long before he ever sold a car.
If you're interested in the New England music scene, start by tracking down the Low Expectations album on streaming services to hear the Barry Goudreau solos for yourself. Then, visit the Music Drives Us website to see how that musical energy is being funneled into local schools today.