By Lisa Coburn

When you sit down with Group Therapy, one thing becomes immediately clear: this is not just a band. It is a shared mission.

Formed just a few years ago with a simple idea: play music and see where it goes, the group has grown into something far more intentional. What began as a one-off performance at the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center has evolved into a collaborative, ever-evolving musical project rooted in connection, joy, and movement.

“We believe music is a gift to be shared,” said D. Ray Bozic. “If we stay true to that, it can inspire growth, help people heal, and bring them together to celebrate and dance.”

That philosophy is not just an idea. It is the heartbeat of everything they do.

The People Behind the Sound

What makes Group Therapy special is the people behind it. Each member brings talent, personality, history, and heart, shaping a sound built on collaboration and shared purpose.

Several members also share strong ties to their faith communities, with Steve, D. Ray, and Phillip serving on their church’s worship team together and Ken Hawes serving as a pastor in another church in addition to his role in the band.

When asked to describe one another, the band members offered the following reflections on each person’s role in Group Therapy.

Amy McIntire | Lead Vocals

Amy’s voice is the emotional center of the band. A natural harmonizer, she thrives in layered, shared sound. She is also a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, including banjo, though her bandmates are quick to note her humility about it. Warm and expressive, Amy embodies the group’s spirit of connection. She also performs with the duo Ma’am, heard at venues such as Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company.

D. Ray Bozic | Drums and Vision

A storyteller at heart, D. Ray provides both rhythm and direction. His vision helped shape the band’s identity from the beginning, music as a force for healing, connection, and shared experience. He often reflects on the deeper meaning behind what they create.

Phillip Perry | Bass

Phillip is the foundation of the group’s sound. Beyond anchoring the rhythm, he plays a key role in shaping setlists and arrangements, balancing groove with intention and feel.

Ken Hawes | Keys, Vocals, Multi-Instrumentalist

Ken is a true musical multi-instrumentalist who moves fluidly between keyboards, guitar, accordion, and more. He also contributes vocals, adding depth to the group’s harmonies. With decades of experience, he brings both technical mastery and instinctive musicality to the band’s sound.

Steve Cooke | Guitar and Vocals

Steve blends respect for original recordings with his own creative interpretation. He also contributes vocals, adding another layer to the group’s dynamic sound. His tone and phrasing give the band a distinct edge that feels both familiar and personal.

Rebecca Bozic | Manager and Creative Support

Behind the scenes, Rebecca keeps everything moving, coordinating rehearsals, logistics, and day-to-day support. The band is quick to say Group Therapy would not function without her. She is also known within the band for her cooking, something the members spoke about with enthusiasm, often crediting her as an incredible cook who keeps everyone well fed.

A Sound Designed for Movement

Group Therapy is intentional about how they define their music: Retro Rock, Pop, Variety, Dance.

And especially, dance.

Their setlists are carefully curated not just for familiarity, but for energy, memory, and movement. The goal is simple: create moments where people connect to rhythm, to memory, and to each other.

I sat down with the band before rehearsal began and they kindly invited me to make a special request from their setlist.

That intention came to life during rehearsal in a standout moment as the band performed a reimagined version of “Sweet Dreams.” Blending familiarity with their own creative style, the performance transformed a well-known song into something immediate, engaging, and fully alive in the room.

That is what Group Therapy does best. They do not just play songs. They create shared experiences in real time.

More Than Music

At its core, Group Therapy is guided by a belief in music as connection.

That belief is not abstract for them. It is something they have seen play out during performances.

At an Ivy Terrace concert last summer, the band recalled a moment that stayed with them long after the performance ended. A young man with cerebral palsy was in the audience, and what unfolded became something none of them forgot.

“He was so moved by the music, he just had to dance,” D. Ray recalled.

“We all danced together and just had the best time,” Rebecca shared.

For the band, moments like that reflect what they believe music can do when it moves beyond performance and becomes shared experience.

D. Ray added, “Songs are stories, and everybody has memories related to songs. If you’re connected, you’re already on your way to healing.”

That idea resonated in the room during the interview, where the band responded visibly when Amy spoke about her hope for audiences.

“I would hope that people feel a little less alone,” she said.

The band’s reaction: quiet agreement, smiles, and applause, spoke just as clearly as the words themselves.

It is that shared understanding, across stage and audience alike, that continues to define their work.

Always Evolving

Even as their audience grows, Group Therapy describes themselves as a band in motion, constantly learning, refining, and expanding what live music can be.

Their vision reaches beyond performance into experience: movement-centered shows, dance-focused gatherings, and spaces where audiences are invited not just to listen, but to participate.

Because for them, music is not meant to be passive. It is meant to be lived.

“We want people to show up ready to move,” they said. “To be part of it.”

Catch Them Live

You can experience Group Therapy at the Alderson Strawberry Festival.

Saturday, May 23

1:00 to 3:00 PM

Monroe County side, at the Gazebo in Alderson Alumni Park

Expect retro energy, familiar favorites, unexpected twists, and a strong invitation to dance.

For more information, contact Rebecca Bozic at 540-470-0384.

When the Room Starts Moving Together

With Group Therapy, music becomes something experienced rather than observed.

The boundary between stage and audience fades into rhythm, movement, and presence, unfolding in real time.

And sometimes, that is what healing sounds like.