| Meet the Guys |
| Jimmy Lee |
"Pipes for Days!"
When you ask Brian the bass player, he
always describes Jimmy as having "pipes for
days." That could not be more accurate.
Jimmy has the ability to go from belting out a
heavy metal anthem to softly swooning a
slow country ballad. Both with the same
intensity. Jimmy has been singing and playing
since he was 9. He won his first talent show
at age 10. That was all he needed to get him
hooked on music. Jimmy received a college
scholarship to further hone his talents and
hasn't stopped yet!
Jimmy has been playing locally with several
different groups adding his vocal, guitar, and
keyboard skills to them all. The Jokers are
looking forward to the energy and sounds
that he radiates. With influences like Geoff
Tate of Queensryche and Vince Gill, one can
see the variety in Jimmy's talents.
Mentioning Jimmy's energy may be a slight
understatement. He has the music in him, on
him, and all through him. That is evident as
you watch him jump around the stage while
he's singing and playing. He brings you into
everything he puts out and you won't want it
to stop!
When you ask Brian the bass player, he
always describes Jimmy as having "pipes for
days." That could not be more accurate.
Jimmy has the ability to go from belting out a
heavy metal anthem to softly swooning a
slow country ballad. Both with the same
intensity. Jimmy has been singing and playing
since he was 9. He won his first talent show
at age 10. That was all he needed to get him
hooked on music. Jimmy received a college
scholarship to further hone his talents and
hasn't stopped yet!
Jimmy has been playing locally with several
different groups adding his vocal, guitar, and
keyboard skills to them all. The Jokers are
looking forward to the energy and sounds
that he radiates. With influences like Geoff
Tate of Queensryche and Vince Gill, one can
see the variety in Jimmy's talents.
Mentioning Jimmy's energy may be a slight
understatement. He has the music in him, on
him, and all through him. That is evident as
you watch him jump around the stage while
he's singing and playing. He brings you into
everything he puts out and you won't want it
to stop!
| Mike Lance |
The first two words that come to mind when
you see Mike play are:
ROCK STAR!
With blistering guitar solos and rhythmic
accompaniment, Michael Lance is a true
musician's musician. He is the definition of a
team player. Mike doesn't play just to hear
himself or just to impress the folks in the front
row. He plays for the good of the song. That
doesn't mean that he won't go out into the front
row and let the crowd have it. If you don't see
him on the stage, look toward the dance floor.
He will be out there with the guitar slung low
ripping a screaming solo for the screaming
people.
ROCK STAR!
With influences like the Beatles, Clapton, Page
and Beck. Michael got his start on guitar at
age 9. He was playing as a professional at 14
and did his first east coast tour right after high
school. He spent a couple years as a session
player doing commercials for companies like
Safeway and Mattress Discounters but his true
love is to perform. Mike received an offer to
join a band called Island. They went on 3
different North American tours covering 38
states, 2 countries (Canada and Mexico) and
2 provinces (St. Croix and St. Thomas). After
the tours were finished, Michael formed an all
original band called Tangent who wrote and
recorded for about 3 years until he met the
band Smokin' in Bed. They were a blues band
and Michael is a true blues fan. He played with
them for about 3 years before taking a full time
job as chief engineer at Blue Ridge Recording
Studios.
Most recently, Mike was in the band Wired
with Brian. He also plays in the
Grace Community Church band. They have a
congregation of over 500!
Michael is the perfect addition to The Jokers.
We are excited to have him!
you see Mike play are:
ROCK STAR!
With blistering guitar solos and rhythmic
accompaniment, Michael Lance is a true
musician's musician. He is the definition of a
team player. Mike doesn't play just to hear
himself or just to impress the folks in the front
row. He plays for the good of the song. That
doesn't mean that he won't go out into the front
row and let the crowd have it. If you don't see
him on the stage, look toward the dance floor.
He will be out there with the guitar slung low
ripping a screaming solo for the screaming
people.
ROCK STAR!
With influences like the Beatles, Clapton, Page
and Beck. Michael got his start on guitar at
age 9. He was playing as a professional at 14
and did his first east coast tour right after high
school. He spent a couple years as a session
player doing commercials for companies like
Safeway and Mattress Discounters but his true
love is to perform. Mike received an offer to
join a band called Island. They went on 3
different North American tours covering 38
states, 2 countries (Canada and Mexico) and
2 provinces (St. Croix and St. Thomas). After
the tours were finished, Michael formed an all
original band called Tangent who wrote and
recorded for about 3 years until he met the
band Smokin' in Bed. They were a blues band
and Michael is a true blues fan. He played with
them for about 3 years before taking a full time
job as chief engineer at Blue Ridge Recording
Studios.
Most recently, Mike was in the band Wired
with Brian. He also plays in the
Grace Community Church band. They have a
congregation of over 500!
Michael is the perfect addition to The Jokers.
We are excited to have him!
| Brian Martin |
Most recently, Brian has been the front man
and lead vocalist for the popular band
Wired. For the past several years, they
were the band to see if you wanted to go
out partying, and have a house-rockin' good
time. Brian has a reputation for knowing a
"million" songs. He credits this talent to the
many different styles of music he has been
surrounded by during his musical career.
Playing bass, and singing rock, country,
blues, funk, and everything in between, he
has learned a lot of songs. Even if he hasn't
played a song before, if he's heard it, he
can play it.
Living and playing in Nashville, TN for
several years, Brian competed with the
cream of the crop. In a town like Nashville
where talented musicians are everywhere
and steady work is hard to find, Brian found
himself working almost every night. He had
the pleasure of sharing the stage of a tiny
honky-tonk with country music legend Merle
Haggard.
He performed in the studio on Miranda
Louis' "Face in my Dreams", along with
Reese Winans (Stevie Ray Vaughan's
keyboard player), and Jimmy Thackery. He
also played, sang, and shared writing
credits on Shane Douglas' "Guilty" album.
He was featured in Nashville's Rock-n-Read
magazine. Naming Brian one of the
best-unknown bass players in town, the
same issue featured such greats as Keith
Horn, Michael Anthony, and one of Brian's
biggest influences, Victor Wooten, bassist
for the Grammy winning Bela Fleck and The
Flecktones!
On two occasions Brian has been lucky
enough to share the stage with Dan
Aykroyd and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Steely
Dan, The Doobie Brothers, The Blues
Brothers) as they sat in with the band. He
has also played in front of packed houses
at the Bull Run Festival in Virginia, and at
the Rocky Gap Music Festival, and US Air
Arena in Maryland.
To sum it up, Brian is an accomplished
musician and a great entertainer. He will
make you have a good time, and leave you
wanting more!!
and lead vocalist for the popular band
Wired. For the past several years, they
were the band to see if you wanted to go
out partying, and have a house-rockin' good
time. Brian has a reputation for knowing a
"million" songs. He credits this talent to the
many different styles of music he has been
surrounded by during his musical career.
Playing bass, and singing rock, country,
blues, funk, and everything in between, he
has learned a lot of songs. Even if he hasn't
played a song before, if he's heard it, he
can play it.
Living and playing in Nashville, TN for
several years, Brian competed with the
cream of the crop. In a town like Nashville
where talented musicians are everywhere
and steady work is hard to find, Brian found
himself working almost every night. He had
the pleasure of sharing the stage of a tiny
honky-tonk with country music legend Merle
Haggard.
He performed in the studio on Miranda
Louis' "Face in my Dreams", along with
Reese Winans (Stevie Ray Vaughan's
keyboard player), and Jimmy Thackery. He
also played, sang, and shared writing
credits on Shane Douglas' "Guilty" album.
He was featured in Nashville's Rock-n-Read
magazine. Naming Brian one of the
best-unknown bass players in town, the
same issue featured such greats as Keith
Horn, Michael Anthony, and one of Brian's
biggest influences, Victor Wooten, bassist
for the Grammy winning Bela Fleck and The
Flecktones!
On two occasions Brian has been lucky
enough to share the stage with Dan
Aykroyd and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Steely
Dan, The Doobie Brothers, The Blues
Brothers) as they sat in with the band. He
has also played in front of packed houses
at the Bull Run Festival in Virginia, and at
the Rocky Gap Music Festival, and US Air
Arena in Maryland.
To sum it up, Brian is an accomplished
musician and a great entertainer. He will
make you have a good time, and leave you
wanting more!!
| Sam Stilwell |
Sam is the working man's drummer. He
has played with any and everyone under
the sun. From days with the former
members of the rock band Kix to big band
swing, Sam has the skills to pay the bills.
Feeling comfortable with jazz, country,
and rock he is an excellent addition to any
band lucky enough to get him.
Sam spent some time on the road and
ended up in Nashville, TN where he
played with some independent artists
including WV's own Shane and The
Moneymakers. Still doing shows with
Shane and others like Ronnie Younkins
(formerly of Kix) he is a perfect fit to the
new Jokers.
Not only is Sam the tightest drummer, he
is also a strong lead and harmony
vocalist. Look forward to Sam rocking the
house and the mic!
has played with any and everyone under
the sun. From days with the former
members of the rock band Kix to big band
swing, Sam has the skills to pay the bills.
Feeling comfortable with jazz, country,
and rock he is an excellent addition to any
band lucky enough to get him.
Sam spent some time on the road and
ended up in Nashville, TN where he
played with some independent artists
including WV's own Shane and The
Moneymakers. Still doing shows with
Shane and others like Ronnie Younkins
(formerly of Kix) he is a perfect fit to the
new Jokers.
Not only is Sam the tightest drummer, he
is also a strong lead and harmony
vocalist. Look forward to Sam rocking the
house and the mic!
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