Jeff Walker Bass
"When I was a kid I had the usual shoeboxes full of music, but they were not the stars I heard on the radio. Bloomington/Normal has been talent-rich for a long time--and it was mostly local musician's
I had in my collection...
I used to sneak into the bars to see the likes of Marc Boon and other local talent playing the scene.
I have been lucky enough to do many different bands and projects, I give a few bass lessons.
I am truly honored, however, to play with this particular group of brothers and sisters "
Jeff
"When I was a kid I had the usual shoeboxes full of music, but they were not the stars I heard on the radio. Bloomington/Normal has been talent-rich for a long time--and it was mostly local musician's
I had in my collection...
I used to sneak into the bars to see the likes of Marc Boon and other local talent playing the scene.
I have been lucky enough to do many different bands and projects, I give a few bass lessons.
I am truly honored, however, to play with this particular group of brothers and sisters "
Jeff
Ray Wiggs on keyboards: by Marc Boon
Ray was and is the great keyboard player from "Appaloosa", a hugely popular band from a few years back and has been with me for 15 years now. He also plays with the new CU band "The B Sides". He is an incredibly talented player and great guy to be around. His substantial skills bring another dimension to the band. He's an accomplished pianist and beast on all keyboards. He has a very cool style that can combine B-3 and Rhodes sounds flawlessly plus he brings a wealth of musical knowledge to the band. The dude is a pro.
Ray was and is the great keyboard player from "Appaloosa", a hugely popular band from a few years back and has been with me for 15 years now. He also plays with the new CU band "The B Sides". He is an incredibly talented player and great guy to be around. His substantial skills bring another dimension to the band. He's an accomplished pianist and beast on all keyboards. He has a very cool style that can combine B-3 and Rhodes sounds flawlessly plus he brings a wealth of musical knowledge to the band. The dude is a pro.
Don Stahl. Drums
Born and raised in Fairbury, IL., I started playing drums at age 10 and studied at P.I.T./Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA..
In the 30 years since, I have lived in Florida and Colorado, and played every style of music imaginable, crisscrossing the nation several times, playing gigs big and small.
My family and I recently made our way back to Illinois, and a chance meeting with Marc Boon lead to this current partnership.
From the first rehearsal, I was blown away by the musicality of this band and how easy it is to play with them. I’ve played with 100’s of musicians in my time and these guys are some of the best. They make me a better player which allows me to serve the music better. And, we laugh…a LOT! We’re blessed to have found each other.ch other.”
In the 30 years since, I have lived in Florida and Colorado, and played every style of music imaginable, crisscrossing the nation several times, playing gigs big and small.
My family and I recently made our way back to Illinois, and a chance meeting with Marc Boon lead to this current partnership.
From the first rehearsal, I was blown away by the musicality of this band and how easy it is to play with them. I’ve played with 100’s of musicians in my time and these guys are some of the best. They make me a better player which allows me to serve the music better. And, we laugh…a LOT! We’re blessed to have found each other.ch other.”
Ken Thornton guitar by Marc:
Ken is possibly the most talented all around musician I have had the pleasure to get to know. I've heard him play for years in "Von Frickel". "Geoff Beran and the Mystery Van", " Sergeant Eggman", "The Rutles" and a ton of other projects with his many partners in crime as well as solo releases over the past several decades. He writes amazing songs, blows my mind with his guitar mastery, and has taught me a ton about Producing. Ken has an outstanding voice, a great ear, performs an awesome range of genres flawlessly, and just is a wonderful person. He's a great hang too. Proud to have him with us
I can't think of anyone other than Ken to purchase a Danelectro electric sitar because a song, "Do It Again", has a prominent sitar solo and he'd always wanted one.
Thank you my friend!
Ken is possibly the most talented all around musician I have had the pleasure to get to know. I've heard him play for years in "Von Frickel". "Geoff Beran and the Mystery Van", " Sergeant Eggman", "The Rutles" and a ton of other projects with his many partners in crime as well as solo releases over the past several decades. He writes amazing songs, blows my mind with his guitar mastery, and has taught me a ton about Producing. Ken has an outstanding voice, a great ear, performs an awesome range of genres flawlessly, and just is a wonderful person. He's a great hang too. Proud to have him with us
I can't think of anyone other than Ken to purchase a Danelectro electric sitar because a song, "Do It Again", has a prominent sitar solo and he'd always wanted one.
Thank you my friend!
Top is Darius Botley; middle is Russ Zehr; lower is Michael Archer
Darius comes to us from Hip Cat School of Music and ISU SOM. Terrifically gifted musician with a plan for his future. He plays in Jazz in the ISU Jazz Quartet and has his own jazz quartet called "Botley's Boys" which you should check out. Outstanding guy to be around and knew I was going to like his playing when he said he admired Dexter Gordon's career and playing style. His solo work on our first cd "The Last Call" was out of site and can't wait for you to hear his solo on "Aja". Thank you, Darius, for sharing your amazing self with us!
Russ Zehr has been on and off in my projects for 15 years. He's a pastor; a salesperson at The Music Shoppe, plays in every town band in the tri-state area in the summer, plays professionally with classical saxophone ensembles, and plays every reed there is I think....all the saxes anyway. He may be the most humble and honest person I know and is and always has been a joy to be with. He has his moments however my admiration for him is second to none. Love you brother
Michael Archer is a teacher of brass at The Music Shoppe; a road salesperson for them as well. If he could Michael would spend every waking moment playing in a brass ensemble or the symphony. He blows some mean trombone on the pop side too. Also, just guess his age? Go ahead. Super nice person who is always there to write a chart or fix a part. Great hang and better have food if he's coming to your house! Michael has been with me a bit as well going back to the Hip Pocket Reunion Show. Thanks Michael!
Darius comes to us from Hip Cat School of Music and ISU SOM. Terrifically gifted musician with a plan for his future. He plays in Jazz in the ISU Jazz Quartet and has his own jazz quartet called "Botley's Boys" which you should check out. Outstanding guy to be around and knew I was going to like his playing when he said he admired Dexter Gordon's career and playing style. His solo work on our first cd "The Last Call" was out of site and can't wait for you to hear his solo on "Aja". Thank you, Darius, for sharing your amazing self with us!
Russ Zehr has been on and off in my projects for 15 years. He's a pastor; a salesperson at The Music Shoppe, plays in every town band in the tri-state area in the summer, plays professionally with classical saxophone ensembles, and plays every reed there is I think....all the saxes anyway. He may be the most humble and honest person I know and is and always has been a joy to be with. He has his moments however my admiration for him is second to none. Love you brother
Michael Archer is a teacher of brass at The Music Shoppe; a road salesperson for them as well. If he could Michael would spend every waking moment playing in a brass ensemble or the symphony. He blows some mean trombone on the pop side too. Also, just guess his age? Go ahead. Super nice person who is always there to write a chart or fix a part. Great hang and better have food if he's coming to your house! Michael has been with me a bit as well going back to the Hip Pocket Reunion Show. Thanks Michael!
Forrest Harris, yet another amazing musician, has joined our little crew. I've known Forrest for the better part of 30 years when he was playing at the Gallery with one of his projects. When we met back up earlier in 2024, we sat down to listen to one of his recordings to see if I might be able to mix it for him.
After listen to his voice I knew there would be some tunes for him to sing on this latest project. He's back playing live on keyboard for a few bands and is a multi instrumentalist. Along with this project, sitting in on keys, creating custom gaming pieces, Forrest has been a part of an Irish trio for decades performing festivals and Irish pubs around the tri state area.
After listen to his voice I knew there would be some tunes for him to sing on this latest project. He's back playing live on keyboard for a few bands and is a multi instrumentalist. Along with this project, sitting in on keys, creating custom gaming pieces, Forrest has been a part of an Irish trio for decades performing festivals and Irish pubs around the tri state area.