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Suspicious Minds
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NAME:

Cyndi Fraser

INSTRUMENT:

Soprano vocals, alto & tenor sax, flute

HOMETOWN

Brunswick, Ohio

HER STORY

Cyndi began playing the saxophone at the age of 9 and performing by the age of 14. As a high school senior she studied classical saxophone at the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music and jazz improvisation at Cleveland State University and went on to receive a Master’s degree in Music Performance (and later a PhD in Psychology). After graduating from college she was hired on the spot following an audition at the greater Cleveland amusement park, “Geauga Lake Park”. The producers were so impressed with her ability that they rewrote the show to include a sax solo spot. A chance meeting of an audience member who was also a musician led to her joining the quartet “First Choice”. Following months of relentless requests from the band leader to sing (Cyndi had never sung a solo before) she finally gave in and sang a duet with him and was hooked! She began taking voice lessons and quickly developed an incredible soprano voice.

EXPERIENCE

Cyndi has entertained extensively as a soloist and with various bands at countless special events, private parties, festivals, clubs, and concerts including the Port Orange Amphitheatre, Daytona Downtown Opry, and the Lake Mary/Heathrow Festival of Arts. She has been a regular guest performer on the Christian TV show “God’s Love” (Good Life - Channel 45) and has sung the National Anthem for the Tampa Bay Rays, Daytona Cubs, and at the New Smyrna Speedway. Cyndi has won many pageants and talent awards. She is an American Renaissance National Pageant lifetime queen, a former Mrs. Ohio America, a Miss America state finalist and talent winner, and a gold medal vocalist at the 1997 World Championships for the Performing Arts held in Los Angeles.

QUOTE ME ON THIS

“Music is my passion--From pop to classical, I love it all! Nothing makes me happier than being on stage performing”.




NAME:

Stan Allen

INSTRUMENT:

Drums & Vocals

HOMETOWN

Milford, Illinois

HIS STORY

Stan started playing drums at the age of 10. He later became the head drummer in his high school jazz band and was instrumental in leading them to winning multiple state level competitions. At the ripe old age of 15 Stan began playing professionally in local rock bands. Too young for a driver’s license, his mother had to drive him to the gigs. At age 17 he had the opportunity to play with some of south Chicago’s finest Jazz musicians. During college he played with many groups throughout central Illinois honing his exceptional percussion skills. Stan’s greatest influence was his father who not only taught him how to play drums but also opened doors for him to work with the most respected and talented jazz musicians in the greater Chicago area. At the age of 81, his father still plays regularly in Illinois with his jazz quartet.

EXPERIENCE

Following his start in Chicago Stan moved to Austin, Texas and played the 6th street club circuit backing several great blues and rock musicians. He did a two year stint in Europe then moved to Dallas, Texas playing in Jazz and Country bands and also doing studio work. Stan relocated to the greater Orlando area where he found a “home” playing in Jazz and Classic Rock clubs. One of his favorite gigs is shared with four other drummers and involves playing multiple percussion instruments in the 40 piece orchestra at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo. Playing drums and managing “Roger Garrett as Elvis” is now my full time job.

QUOTE ME ON THIS

When asked why I became a drummer I quickly replied “I was told that drummers get all the chicks”




NAME:

Krista Prado

INSTRUMENT:

Keyboards & Vocals

HOMETOWN

Indianapolis, Indiana

HER STORY

Krista grew up playing piano and singing. When she was 4 years old her mother overheard her picking out the melody to "Popeye The Sailor Man" on the piano and quickly realized her incredible musical potential. Hence began the piano lessons. Krista also took voice lessons and sang in various choirs including being an integral member of Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. Krista joined her first band as a front singer after graduating from nursing school. Eventually, she started playing keyboards in various bands. Krista played keys in the top 40 band "After Hours", where she met her husband Dennie. “After Hours” was the featured band at many corporate events connected with the Indy 500. Krista performed with the oldies group "Flashback" complete with beehive wig and poodle skirt! The group traveled the Midwest doing fairs, 50's car shows, and performing for Corporate functions. She also performed with the band “Sneakers", donning tuxedos with tennis shoes and performing Manhattan Transfer type music with tight vocal harmonies.

EXPERIENCE

Krista relocated to Florida and currently performs as Lead vocalist and keyboardist with the duo “Dennie and the Jets”. They have performed locally at the Science Center, for the Orlando Chamber Of Commerce (at an event attended by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer), and at a Habitat For Humanity fundraiser at the T.D. Waterhouse Performing Arts Center. Krista is Music director, vocal instructor, and leader of "The Living Stones", a 12 piece contemporary Christian band. The group has sung the National Anthem at Orlando Magic games. Krista’s expert keyboard ability, arranging expertise, and vocal skills made her the obvious choice as Vocal Director for the Roger Garrett as Elvis Show and the Suspicious Minds Band.

QUOTE ME ON THIS

When asked about her talent for singing, playing, and leading others, Krista simply states, "It’s a gift".




NAME:

Mark Young

INSTRUMENT:

Bass Guitar & Vocals

HOMETOWN

Baltimore, Maryland

HIS STORY

Mark started teaching himself guitar at the tender age of 12, following in the footsteps of his older sister. At 14 he gravitated to the piano. When he picked up an electric bass a year later, he was hooked! Mark never tired of trying to learn the bass lines played by his heroes, including Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Geddy Lee, James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorious, and Tony Levin. After playing in local rock bands throughout high school, Mark went on to earn a B.A. in Music Theory and Composition at Towson State University in Maryland. Following graduation, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a recording engineer and toured the southwest with the country-rock band, Double Gage. Mark currently lives in Central Florida, where he is proud to work as an entertainment manager and audio technician with Walt Disney Entertainment.

EXPERIENCE

Well versed in practically all styles of music, Mark has performed on a variety of stages. In addition to playing in several local rock bands (including The Bruce Coale Band, 33.1, The Ultra Sounds, and 10:10 to name a few), Mark has performed in a number of musical theater productions, including Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, Forever Plaid, The Taffetas, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Guys & Dolls, Seussical, and many others. And for the last six years, he has performed onstage at Walt Disney World with the Encore! Cast Choir and Orchestra, which boasts a 70 piece symphony orchestra and 200 voice choir.

QUOTE ME ON THIS

“It’s all about the groove, brothers and sisters…after all, ‘it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.”




NAME:

Jeff Rodenbaugh

INSTRUMENT:

Lead Guitar & Vocals

HOMETOWN

Pascagoula, Mississippi

HIS STORY

Jeff grew up in Jimmy Buffett’s hometown and was raised on Southern Blues Rock. He started playing guitar after watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show and began his professional performing career when he was in the eighth grade! Jeff attended the University of Mississippi and spent the weekends imbedded in the Memphis Blues & Rock scene, playing every Frat House Party across the Southeast. After school he hit the road full time playing with Atlanta Show Bands traveling from Key West, Florida to Sandusky, Ohio and points in between. Jeff later moved to Atlanta to become a key player in the Atlanta Hard Rock Scene. He finally moved to Orlando and began playing with many of the fine "A" circuit bands Central Florida has to offer including ControlFreak, KGB, BigBlock, Boomers, Yesmen, 4Play, BoucanBrothers, TimeJam, ShadowCabinet, TripleOctane, LuckySevens.

EXPERIENCE

Jeff’s style has been influenced by some of the finest rock musicians such as Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, Pat Travers, Walter Trout, John Hayes, George Lynch, Warren Dimartini to name a few. Jeff’s mastery of the guitar is evident in his versatility and showmanship and has made him a welcome addition to the band.

QUOTE ME ON THIS

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt…




NAME:

Charlie Bertini

INSTRUMENT:

Trumpet

HOMETOWN

Cortland, New York

HIS STORY

Charlie began trumpet lessons at age nine in Cortland, NY (upstate) and was active in marching band, concert band, orchestra, chorus, and conducting classes. Eager to work professionally, he started his own dance band in the ninth grade. At age 19 he joined the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros Circus and toured for six years as first trumpeter and later as the musical director. The circus relocated him to Florida where he began to play a variety of gigs: Stage shows with nightclub performers like Al Martino, Mel Torme', and Patti Page, Broadway shows, Dixieland show clubs, and free-lance engagements at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Church Street Station in Orlando, Florida. Orlando being an attractive workplace, Charlie played for four years at Circus World Theme Park as first trumpeter and assistant conductor. This prepared him for a year's tour as musical director for the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey Circus. In demand as a first-call trumpeter, he has backed up artists such as Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, and Ray Charles. He has played on network TV specials for Walt Disney World, Ringling Bros Circus, and several PBS music specials. His AppleJazz cable show from his 1995 AppleJazz concert was nominated for a CableAce Award for "Best Music Program For 1995". As a teacher and clinician he has led workshops and lectures at universities and high schools, and instructs periodically at the University of Central Florida and Seminole Community College. Still based in Orlando, Charlie enjoys a variety of musical settings and challenges and continues to be one of the most versatile and respected trumpeters and producers in the industry.

EXPERIENCE

As a recording artist, Charlie has five solo albums; APPLESASS, JEWELS, ACID DIXIE, OUT OF SEASON, and CHARLIE BERTINI’S APPLEJAZZ BAND – CLASSIC PERFORMANCES and two Christmas albums; CHRISTMAS COOKIES and FRESH BATCH (on Arbors Records) which have become holiday jazz classics in the industry. Charlie has recorded twelve albums with Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band and has produced over fifty-five albums for other artists, with more in the works. Charlie is also the executive director of the annual AppleJazz Festival held in upstate NY. He has played in 45 states, Europe, and China.

QUOTE ME ON THIS

"It's all about the Hang!"




NAME:

Herb Bruce

INSTRUMENT:

Trombone

HOMETOWN

Louisville, Kentucky

HIS STORY

Herb got his start in music playing his brother’s cornet. His music teacher thought that he should play the trombone. His parents convinced him that if he played the trombone, he could march in the front row. It worked…

EXPERIENCE

Herb attended Vanderbilt University and later became the Assistant Director of Bands. He has toured with Boots Randolph, the Nashville Brass, and The Jack Daniels Silver Comet Band, Spiritual to the Bone, and the premiere Salvation Army Brass Bands. He has also performed with many show orchestras including Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Nelson Riddle, Jimmy Dorsey, Liza Minelli, The Four Freshman, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Amy Grant, Al Hirt, Burt Bacharach, Bernadette Peters and Les Brown. Herb has recorded with the Back Street Boys, Hank Williams Jr., Boots Randolph, and the Nashville Brass. His military experience includes being Staff Officer in the office of the Chief, US Army Bands, Audition finalist, Solo Chair, US Marine Band, and doing three tours at the Navy School of Music, Little Creek, Virginia. Herb has performed for countless sports events and TV shows including the Atlanta Braves, the Harlem Globe Trotters, the Dove Awards, and "Siskel & Ebert 500th Show Anniversary Show" In 1991, Herb met master trumpet designer and builder Roy Lawler, who made custom modifications on his trombones. After four years of customizing and development, the revolutionary Lawler "Herb Bruce Design" for tenor trombone was born. Herb & Roy now manufacture and market what they believe are finest tenor trombones in the world.

QUOTE ME ON THIS

"Elvis loved the Bass Trombone"