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Marc Strand
Trumpet |
Marc Strand, trumpet player, started playing trumpet in the
school band at age 10. Fell in love with it and has never been able to put
it down. He played the typical marching band and concert band in high school
and college. He played in a small three piece combo in graduate school to
make a little pizza money. He is currently the orchestra director for Higher
Ground Baptist Church. He plays with the Has Beens and has conducted several
events in the Tri-Cities including the Liberty Celebrations, The Sound of
Music this past year for North East State, and the Bristol Passion Play.
His day job is as a Research Chemist for Eastman Chemical Company. Playing
with Big Band Theory is about as much fun playing music as anyone should
be allowed to have. It sure helps that some of my kids are singing with
us.
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Patti Quarles
Piano |
Patti Quarles is a keyboardist, vocalist, and songwriter who has lived
in Kingsport for fifteen years. Born in Chicago, Il., Patti grew up in the
Tidewater area of Va. and later England.
She has performed on several South Carolina television shows and donated
her talents to the March of Dimes and Cancer Research Benefits, Arts Councils,United
Way, Christian Women's Club, schools and nursing homes. She also accompanies
middle and highschool choirs, and Gospel artists including Carla Karst of
Billy Grahm and Franklin Grahm Crusades,and Starla Harbin who sings for
the ministry of Dr. Charles Stanley. Patti is also a church pianist and
was the pianist for Kingsport's 2008 Liberty Celebration. |
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Sarah Strand
Vocals |
Wonderful alto tones from this member of a very musical family |
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Jonathan Strand
Vocals |
Sings, dances, writes, and a college student. |
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Jon Lawniczak
Drums |
Jon Lawniczak began his drumming career in Detroit playing for cutting-edge
rock bands, TRAINABLE, IT PLAY, and the LAYABOUTS.
Since moving to Kingsport TN, he has played with the HASBEENS, Brim Leal,
Patty Quarles Band, and BIG BAND THEORY. |
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Jeff Summers
Guitar |
Jazz guitar since high school in the '70s, plays guitar for Higher Ground
and Liberty Celebration. Day job is as an academic physician with ETSU |
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Candice Neeley
Alto Sax |
Candice plays for Higher Ground, Liberty Celebration, BIG BAND THEORY,
and wherever she gets an opportunity. She plays the alto and soprano sax.
Candice is a graduate of ETSU and King College. Her day job is as a Contract
Analyst at King Pharmaceuticals. |
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Byron Lawrence
Trombone |
Enjoys playing trombone in my spare time. I went to Sullivan South, and
enjoyed my college days at Tennessee Tech. Played trombone through high
school and college. I currently work at Dentsply in Johnson City. I currently
play trombone with the Indian Springs Baptist Church Orchestra and now BIG
BAND THEORY, and I also participate playing trombone for the HAS BEENS (which
on most occasions, I am the youngest member), and The Liberty Celebration.
I am married and the joys of my life are my family, and my (2) young kids
keep me busy! |
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John Evans
Bass |
Another true Carolina Calabash boy, Mr. Evans was inspired by regional
bands such as The Embers, The Catalinas, The Monzas, and the Fabulous Five.
After a fateful teen summer party in the summer of 1961 lit a fire for the
instrument in his heart, John learned to play guitar on a 3/4 steel string
instrument, complete with a graphic of cowboys singing around the campfire
on top. Several guitars, friends, and homemade amplifiers later, John found
himself playing $50 gigs (for the whole band!) at the local YMCA and even
played backup for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on one occasion. Delving into
the 60's music scene with groups like The Beatles, Herman's Hermits, The
Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Jay and the Americans, and The
Association, John later branched out and embraced the edgy sounds of other
groups as well, like King Crimson, Grand Funk Railroad, the Who, and Led
Zeppelin. After moving to Kingsport, Tennessee in 1973, he discovered classical
guitar and synthesizers. A multi-talented individual, John Evans can be
seen playing lead guitar licks with Bag a'Cats, laying a solid bass line
for the big band group The Has Beens, playing guitar at his church, or teaching
classical guitar in his home.
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Joey Porsche
Guitar/Bass |
Growing up in a musical family near New Orleans, Joey Porche has always been exposed to many styles and genres of music. His early memories recall living room "jam sessions" with family friends, parents and siblings singing and/or making music. Though his parents enjoyed predominantly country-western, his early interest was in rock and blues; however, over the years, Joey's musical journey has taken him to bluegrass, motown, cajun, contemporary Christian, todays country, among others. Joey's primary instruments are acoustic, electric and bass guitars, but "plays around" with several different instruments including banjo, lap steel, mandolin, piano, organ, harmonica, trumpet, autoharp and will try just about anything else he can get his hands on.
Joey is married to his best friend and has three grown children, loves life and the Lord; his whole clan is musically talented and enjoy life to the fullest! He's an IT Geek by day and a music-a-holic by night! He loves his involvement with Big Band Theory and is more apt to say "yes" to just about any musical opportunities that comes along; his enthusiasm tastefully tempered by the Godly wisdom of a lovely and discerning bride. |
Big Band Theory
