The Billionaire's Backstage Pass: 5 Shocking Facts About Ernie Boch Jr.'s Band And His $1 Million Music Legacy
Ernie Boch Jr.: Complete Biography and Business Profile
Ernest Alexander Boch Jr. is a prominent American businessman, billionaire, and musician best known for his role as the former CEO of Boch Enterprises and his current role as CEO of Subaru of New England. His life is a unique fusion of high-stakes automobile sales and a lifelong dedication to music, which he studied at one of the world's most prestigious institutions.
- Full Name: Ernest Alexander Boch Jr.
- Born: February 15, 1958
- Place of Birth: United States
- Education: Graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1982.
- Primary Business: Boch Enterprises (former CEO), Subaru of New England (current CEO).
- Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $600 million (as of recent reports).
- Music Career: Founder and guitarist for the blues rock band, Ernie and the Automatics.
- Philanthropy: Founder of the Music Drives Us Foundation, a major New England-based organization dedicated to supporting music programs.
- Key Assets: Owns a legendary private collection of luxury cars and memorabilia, often featured at his Wine, Watches, and Wheels charity events.
The Star-Studded Lineup of Ernie and the Automatics
The core intrigue of the Ernie Boch Jr. band lies in its incredible lineup. Formed around 2006, the band, officially named Ernie and the Automatics, was far from a casual garage band; it was a bona fide supergroup featuring musicians with massive rock history. This instantly gave the band significant topical authority and a dedicated following in the Boston music community.
The Boston Connection: Rock Royalty in the Band
The band’s credibility was cemented by the inclusion of two original, legendary members of the band Boston:
- Barry Goudreau (Guitar): Goudreau, known for his work on Boston's debut album and his own band RTZ, brought a signature sound and decades of experience to the Automatics. His presence ensured the band's sound was rooted in classic, high-energy arena rock and blues rock.
- Sib Hashian (Drums): The late Sib Hashian, the original drummer for Boston, provided the powerful rhythmic foundation. Hashian's involvement was a major draw for fans. His untimely passing in 2017 was a significant loss and marked a turning point for the band's active performance schedule.
Rounding out the lineup were other highly respected New England musicians, including Tim Archibald on bass and Brian Maes on vocals and keyboards, both of whom had also been members of RTZ. This all-star assembly allowed them to open for major acts like B.B. King, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Los Lobos, solidifying their place in the rock and roll circuit.
Ernie Boch Jr.'s Current Music Legacy: Music Drives Us (2025 Updates)
While the active touring and recording for Ernie and the Automatics has seen a significant slowdown in recent years, particularly following the passing of Sib Hashian, Ernie Boch Jr.’s commitment to music has only intensified through his Music Drives Us Foundation. This foundation is the true, current embodiment of his musical passion, making it the most important entity in his music story today.
Philanthropy Over Performance: The 2025 Focus
Boch Jr. has effectively transitioned his rock star energy into a powerful philanthropic engine. The foundation's mission is to provide grants for music programs to children and young adults across New England, often donating instruments and funding educational initiatives.
Key 2024 and 2025 activities that demonstrate this ongoing commitment include:
- Major Grant Giving: The foundation continues to award substantial grants, such as the $50,000 grant approved for the Medford School District for the 2024-2025 school year, showing a direct, real-time impact on music education.
- The 'Wine, Watches, and Wheels' Event: This exclusive, high-profile event—featuring a private tour of Boch Jr.’s legendary luxury car and memorabilia collection at his Norwood, MA auto salon—serves as a major annual fundraiser for Music Drives Us. The event, which includes live music, is a current and critical part of his philanthropic calendar, blending his business and music worlds.
- The Boch Center Connection: Boch Jr. is also deeply involved with the Boch Center, which includes the historic Wang Theatre in Boston. This involvement further solidifies his role as a major cultural and music patron in the region, supporting venues that host a diverse range of artists from Joe Perry to Graham Nash.
The legacy of Ernie Boch Jr.'s band is therefore twofold: it is the history of a great blues rock project with rock legends, and it is the current, active funding of music education that carries the 'Automatics' spirit forward. His journey from Berklee College of Music graduate to auto mogul to generous benefactor is the ultimate anthem to his lifelong devotion to the power of music.
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