Drums and Vocals
On most shows that feature me with a band, we have Chuck Cotton on drums. Chuck Cotton started out as a Saxophonist, but rumor is that, one night his horn got smashed and lucky for us, he took up drums. Since then he has become "The Drummer" extrodinare. Chuck is an amazing, highly versatile drummer, playing Blues, R&B, Soul, Funk, Rock and Roll and Rockabilly. His vocal abilities are equally as cool and impressive, but it's Chuck's touch with "Old School" Blues that really sets him apart. Chuck was a favorite of Electric Blues pioneer Jimmy Rogers when they toured together before Jimmy passed on.
Jimmy Rogers is only one of the many blues legends that Chuck has played with via Bob Margolin's band. Chuck has also shared the stage with: John Brim, Nappy Brown, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton and Albert King among others. He has appeared on several of Bob Margolin's albums on the Alligator label and is also the recipient of the 2005 PBPS Keeping the Blues Alive Award.
Dan Electro Pocket Bass / Vocals /
Guitar / Lapsteel / Mandolin
Is the world really big enough for two degenerate, depraved, insane Blues guitar freaks named Matt? Of course it is. Matt Hill is the "other Matt" who joins me on most of my shows that feature me with duo or band.
At the age of 22, Matt is a fiery guitar player who exhibits a musical maturity that surpasses his age. In the world of young SRV guitar wanna-bes, Matt slashes thru with the "Nighthawk" ( a Gretsch Corvett ) commanding authority.
He has also shared the stage with Bob Margolin, Willie Big Eyes Smith, and most notably Hubert Sumlin.
Matt is fond of man purses and bears the nickname "Knuckles".
Guitar / Harmonica / Piano / Vocals
I met Berry when I moved to Wichita KS. Over the years we have developed a tight friendship that carries over to the bandstand. Berry has known and played with many well known Blues artists such as Freddy King and Albert Collins and if you're looking for the "real thing", Berry is your man.
I think you will enjoy the loose, off the cuff feel of my shows that feature this Wichita Blues icon, now a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Berry's style is uptown slick, and his Kansas City, Texas, and Oklahoma influences cross the map of Blues, Funk, R & B, and even...Country?
Berry enjoys Black Stone Cherry cigars and the ocassional 7 & 7. His trusty bulldogs are named Smokey and Suzie. Like jokes? He's got 'em out the wazoo...in fact, he even had a stint as a stand-up comedian. Look for a stpry on Berry's life in the national Blues publication, Living Blues magazine in 2007.
Stand-up dog house bass
The self-titled "Maddog", Jesse is your main man for slap-happy fun. Jesse has been playing with me for close to a decade and we share a great, telepathic, musical bond on the bandstand. We formed the Maddogs together (named partly after America's favorite fine wine, Mad Dog 20/20) in 2000, and most midwestern shows feature Jesse.
Playing with Jesse allows a Swing and Rockabilly feel that compliments the 1950's Chicago Blues style that we draw inspiration from.
Jesse has played in bands that have ranged from Blues to pure Rockabilly, to Punk Rock. This includes projects that focus on his original music as well. The bands that Jesse has been a member of include The Del Rays, Jimmy and the Beat's, and his own band Zunga.
Jesse has a great booth at the flea market and likes Transformers, reform school prison girls, good horror flicks and mutt dogs with names like Bo Bo and Sugar...Look out!
Drums
Kyle has played on and off with me for years and he hails from the Rockabilly band Shinola, which was very popular around the mid-west for a spell. He has also spent time playing with the Del Rays. Kyle also knows how to play about every song that Keith Richards has written for open G tunning on guitar, but that's all. What dedication. Although a very accomplished drummer and likeable guy, unfortunately, Kyle spends most of his time dispelling rumors that he is really actor Matt Dillon disguised as a Rockabilly / Blues drummer. We ain't sayin' nothin' though. Kyle plays on some mid-west shows.
