Tom Hurst - Drums Tom lives in Gainesville Florida and has appeared on many recordings. Touring extensively with his original band "House of Dreams" he has performed in front of thousands of people. During 2003, Tom has been touring with Amy Dalley who was a featured act on the ãUnleashedä tour with Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts. Along with Amy Dally, they have continued to tour with renowned acts including Jodie Messina, Clint Black, Diamond Rio & Lonestar. Tom is an amazing player and completed the tracking for the eight songs he recorded for E.G.H.P. in 10 hours. (and we even had a dinner break!)
Al Velasquez - Percussion Al resides in Camarillo California and is a renowned drummer and percussion instructor. Mr. Velasquez maintains an active recording and rehearsal studio in Camarillo CA. He has appeared with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in live performance while the band debuted selections from their new recording "Save My Soul" before it was publicly released.
Bruce Stewart - Percussion & Accordion Bruce owns and operates a popular musical instrument retail outlet in St. Augustine Florida. "Instrumental Music" has provided the North Florida area with quality products since 1990. Mr. Stewart is an accomplished drummer who has performed with numerous musical talents in the St. Augustine area. In addition to his drumming talents, Bruce plays the traditional button 'squeeze box' and the New Orleans' flavored 'spoons & washboard' on "Everybody's Gotta' Have A Place."
Joshua Levy - Piano Josh is an amazingly talented piano player and one of the greatest people you will ever meet. He charted and helped arrange the horn charts for E.G.H.P. as well as directing the horn section during the recording. Josh is the piano player for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and will soon be married to his sweetheart in September 2003.
Neal Norton - Hammond B3 Organ Neal owns and operates an independent 'theatre quality' home stereo installation company. He also maintained a very successful live sound reproduction company with Bill Parker in the early 1990's that served North Florida's concert venues. Neal is an accomplished Hammond B3 organ player and has performed with many notable performers around the South Eastern United States.
Platt Drew - String Bass Platt is an amazing 'dog house' string bass player from Palatka FL who currently performs with the top names in the bluegrass circuit. Platt showed up at the studio with is bass in the back of his pick-up truck, picked it up with one hand and said "Where y'all want ta' set up this recordin'?" He then proceeded to lay down his track for "Bowser" in less than one hour, a true professional. After recording, I said; " I'm not very proficient at playing the dog house, could you tell me how you got started?" His reply was... "ya'll can't play slap style? Is there any other way of playing?" Platt Drew, a man of the times!
The Driftwood's This wonderful bluegrass band from St. Augustine Florida performs live in and around the St. Augustine & Jacksonville area and comprises the membership of: Dr. Eric Searcy - Banjo Gabe Valla - Mandolin Elizabeth Williamson - Acoustic Guitar Lon Williamson - Acoustic Bass The Driftwood's have lent their talents to four of the songs on E.G.H.P and the recording experience was second to none. They have produced two excellent recordings as a band as well as numerous individual recording projects including: "Turner, Valla, Williamson" - Mark, Gabe & Liz "Streetlights" - Lon Williamson "Live Bluegrass" - The Driftwood's
Dr. Eric Searcy is a well respected veterinarian in the St. Augustine area. He performs with a custom built banjo that posses an amazing tone quality.
Gabe Valla is an accomplished mandolin and flat pick acoustic guitar player who has won many bluegrass performance awards. Gabe is also a respected medical assistant at St. Augustine Emergency Medical Facility.
Elizabeth Williamson is a disc jockey at the University of Northern Florida in Jacksonville and performs flawlessly on the acoustic guitar. Her singing voice can only be compared to the angelic muse of a Botecelli painting.
Lon Williamson is a gifted songwriter who has produced and performed on many recordings over the past ten years. Performing on the acoustic bass, Lon adds the warm depth to the songs he recorded with 'The Driftwood's' on E.G.H.P.
Raymond Hardy - Guitar Raymond is a multitalented musician and custom cabinet builder from Palatka FL. In addition to being a proficient electric bass player, Raymond provided the steady western-style acoustic guitar track for "On A Horse". Ray played a very vital role in the recording of E.G.H.P. as a studio assistant for the sessions in Florida & lending a very professional opinion regarding the music. Ray is the father of two young boys who are able to tell you any statistic there is to know about NASCAR racing.
Mike Fishell - Electric Guitar Mike resides in Port Hueneme CA with his wife Julianna & two wonderful children. Mike is a prominent electric guitar player, performing around the Southern California area for many years. Having been in a very successful band from Ventura County, Mike has appeared before hundreds of audiences. He now is a very well respected 5th grade elementary school teacher at McAullife Elementary School in Oxnard CA.
Rocky Blaze - Pedal Steel Guitar Rocky provides the silky smooth pedal steel guitar track on "Diamondback Rattlesnakes." Rocky has immense talent as a professional graphic artist and performs on the slide guitar with many prominent musicians in the Northern Florida area. Having studied traditional Hawaiian music for many years, Rocky is also an accomplished ukulele player and Hawaiian musical historian.
Glen Marhevka - Trumpet Glen provides the trumpet on this recording and assisted in arranging and composing the horn chart for the title track of this album. Glen resides in Glendale CA and is a member of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Glen has been an accomplished trumpet player for many years and has built a steady following of admirers over the course of time.
Jacques Voymant - Trombone Jacques is a wonderful musician who works consistently in and around the Southern California area. Having played the trombone for many years, his talent and unassuming demeanor make him a first rate session player. Jacques was a pleasure to work with during these recording sessions and always displayed a professional attitude.
Karl Hunter - Tenor Saxophone & Flute Karl is the multitalented tenor saxophone player for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and is an accomplished drummer & percussionist as well. He assisted in the composing & arranging of the horn chart for the title song on E.G.H.P. and performed magnificently on the flute solo for "Don't You Wish You Could Fly?" Karl lives in Lake View Terrace CA with his lovely wife and four year-old son Linus.
Andy Rowley - Baritone Saxophone Andy is the unofficial Mayor of San Buenaventura and can carve the most graceful turn on a long-board in any surf condition. Andy is a member of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and has been playing the baritone saxophone with the group since 1993. The father of three children, Andy is well loved by all who know him. Mr. Rowley was a valuable asset to the recording of E.G.H.P. Holding down the low end of the horn arrangement, Andy's playing adds a wonderful depth to the tracks he recorded on.
Nick Nicholson - Vocals Nick is a well-respected musician in the Northern Florida area and has been singing and playing the electric bass guitar for many years. Nick provides the lead vocal for "Please Don't Feed The Bears" & "Life Will Go On". A true southern gentleman, Nick was a prominent member of the well-known band "Mantanzas" for many years. Recording with Nick was a real pleasure. Bill & I enjoyed listening to him as he created an authenticity to the characters for these two songs.
Greg & Billy Odom - Vocals Greg & Billy are brothers who along with Nick were also in the band "Mantanzas." The brothers have been singing & composing music for many years and have built quite a following in and around the St. Augustine area. On this recording, they create the undeniable bluegrass harmony & Appalachian style yodeling for "Bowser." Greg & Billy are two of the nicest people you will ever meet and have an amazing vocal blend that only sibling's posses.
Bill Parker - Recording Engineer Bill is a gifted recording & live sound engineer who has lent his talents for numerous musical endeavors. In addition to engineering, Bill is a talented guitarist who is currently working on a collection of original recordings with his band "Gods & Gurus." A local hero in St. Augustine FL, Bill has used his studio, Toes In The Sand, to produce many recording projects for dozens of aspiring musicians.
Peter Paul Connolly - Artist Peter has produced many wonderful works of art for over two decades. He has mastered many different styles of fine art and a prime example can be found in his original artwork for Eileen Connolly's Tarot Deck. Peter has had his work displayed in prominent galleries nationwide including The Rockefeller Center in New York City. He currently resides in Chapel Hill NC and is working on a new installment of original artwork to be displayed before the year's end.
Andy Engel - Artist Andy is a gifted graphic designer who won a Grammy Award for his package design of Capitol Records "Ultra-Lounge" C.D. series in 1996. Andy has helped Big Bad Voodoo Daddy define the attractive look of their past three C.D. packages and currently has such high profile clients as The Disney Company and MGM. Andy works from his home in beautiful Ojai CA and is teaching his 15 year old daughter how to drive.