The members of 501 still aren’t sure how they won Best Musician in The Local’s Best of the Best contest. They didn’t even know about it until someone told them they’d won. Then again, they’re not here for the accolades. They just want to play songs they like. And if other people want to listen, that’s just fine with them.

“We like playing stuff that other people, other bands don’t play,” says Jim Gentry, one of 501’s guitarists. “We want people to hear a particular song and just get knocked out and have exactly that same thought, ‘Wow, I forgot about that song! What a killer song!’”

That confidence comes from years of experience on the road and professional and personal relationships that stretch back decades. Rehearsals aren’t exactly a priority.

“I can’t tell you the last time we had a rehearsal,” Jim says. Years of playing together in other projects have built a chemistry that keeps things running smoothly. “We all have a deep friendship, and it’s a good group.”

When 501 started some 15 years ago, the focus was blues music, and the original name was 501 Blues Band. The idea came about when guitarist Mike Gironda told bass player Richie Compton he was tired of playing the same popular songs all the time. Why not put together a group that played only the songs they wanted to play?

That worked until they ventured outside the blues one night.

“Believe it or not, people complained,” Jim says.

So they dropped “blues” from the name and became simply 501, free to play whatever struck their fancy. And they have the talent to pull it off.

“We show everybody in the band off. We do a hefty amount of solos and we have some very, very gifted soloists,” Jim says.

Their set lists include covers of favorites by Chicago and Huey Lewis and the News, but don’t expect note-for-note recreations. The arrangements are loose, and no two performances are exactly alike.

“They’re never played the same way twice,” Jim says. “You can throw anything at any of us and we can figure out something to play over it.”

The horn section adds another layer of complexity, with Gary Anstey on trombone, Russ Weaver on saxophone, and Greg Little on trumpet.

That anything-goes approach leaves room for original music, too. Jim has about 20 songs of his own in various stages of recording and is considering an album for 2027.

But whether they’re playing a packed room, dusting off a forgotten song, or working on new material, the motivation hasn’t changed much in 15 years.

“This is a labor of love,” Jim says. “It’s just such a joy.”