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Dangerous Dan Toler grew up in Connersville, Indiana where he was part of a musical family that included his ever-encouraging father George; a man who exposed Dan and his drummer brother David "Frankie" Toler to the many influences that music had to offer. Dan recalls his father would bring home Jimmy Smith albums featuring Kenny Burrell and gently insist that they listen and learn from these artists. His band "Danny Lee and the Upsetters" was a popular local band in the early 1960's. Through out the years his experience grew and he became a member of such bands as Dickey Betts & Great Southern, The Allman Brothers Band, The Gregg Allman Band, The Toler Brothers Band, and the Dan Toler Band. In December, 2001, Dan once again teamed up with Dickey Betts, joining the Dickey Betts Band which soon became Dickey Betts & Great Southern. Dan began writing music in the 1960's and continues to compose to this day. His album cuts list is extensive. Dan has done some commercial composing and devotes increasing time to this. Dan credits many musicians as influences; Chet Atkins, Lonnie Mack, Steve Cropper, Larry Carlton just to name a few. He's had the privilege to share the stage with B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Carlos Santana, Steven Stills, Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams JR., Matt "guitar" Murphy, the late great Wayne Bennett and countless others. Dan has followed his natural path into record production. Production work is very satisfying for Dan, and allows him to utilize all his talents and experiences. Dan is an advocate for the resurgence of, and respect for, the skilled musician. He recalls the time when it was all about "the sound and not the look." He has been gratified to see the fans enjoying this back to basics music. When not touring and producing, Dan is home on Florida's Gulf Coast. He and his wife Debby have a married daughter Danielle in Nashville. Dan's Brother David (Frankie) Toler lives in Indiana. For more info on Dan visit his web site at: www.DanToler.com |
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Johnny Townsend A Tuscaloosa Alabama native, chose playing in an R&B band, over medical school when his own band, The RUBBER BAND, started touring constantly behind several regional hits. One of those regional hits grew into the national spotlight when James and Bobby Purify released LET LOVE COME BETWEEN US, a song originally recorded by John and The Rubber Band. The chance to move out to L.A. and do music full time came around and John made the most of it. His first L.A. success was with the group FEATHER whose hit FRIENDS, kept them working a number of years. His experience and success as a singer and songwriter eventually led him to join with his now-long-time collaborator Ed Sanford, with whom he formed the Sanford-Townsend Band. Together they scored the self-penned smash, "Smoke From A Distant Fire" and toured the world. During his long and prolific music career, John has appeared on stage with rock icons, Jimi Hendrix, Loggins and Messina, Little Feat, Fleetwood Mac, and The Charlie Daniels Band. He would later reunite with his long time friend Gregg Allman and tour as part of Gregg Allman and Friends in '93 and '94. While playing with G.A. and Friends, John was introduced to guitar legend, Dan Toler, and the two quickly became good friends and songwriting collaborators. John Townsend is an in-demand songwriter, vocalist and recording artist working closely with a long list of producers, publishers, songwriters and recording artists. He lives in Los Angeles with his beautiful wife Jennifer. John will be touring with The Toler/Townsend Band in 2006. For more on John visit his web sites at: www.JohnTown.com www.MySpace.com/JohnTown.com |
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John McKnight came to Atlanta from Altoona, Pa. His father, a drummer, was also a policeman, fueled his passion for music. "The mayor and the chief of police would be mad at him all the time," McKnight recalls. "He'd bust people during the day and then be out entertaining them at night. By age 11, McKnight was sitting in at his father's gigs. After high school, he hit the hotel circuit. He was through 3 drum teachers and was playing way beyond his years in his early teens. At 15 he was on the county fair circuit summers opening for Merle Haggard, Little Jimmy Dickens, Buck Trent and the a lot of great country artists of that era. He was on the road at 18 and had already played with some of the finest musicians in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. "But local doesn't last forever", he says. In 1998 he went to Atlanta Ga. and within months was playing and recording with Barry Richman, Forrest McDonald, E.G. Knight, and Dr Dan Matrazzo. John has appeared on 33 CD's as a drummer and singer, and is often called thunder "foot". due to the speed and power of his right foot. He got the name, "marathon man", following an all day performance with 9 different bands for the Atlanta Blues Society. Marathon indeed. John played with Delta Moon, winning an international blues challenge in Memphis in 2002, beating out 62 blues bands from around the world! McKnight is now on stage with the finest musicians and the greatest stage show to hit the circuit in years, The Toler/Townsend Band. For more on Johnny Mac visit his websites at: www.myspace.com/JohnDrummer www.johndrumer.com |
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Avon Lucas One bad man..... www.AvonLucas.com |
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Matt Zeiner I have been privileged to play with some heavy Motherfuckers during the course of my life, and I count myself fortunate for every opportunity I get to play with truly great musicians. I toured with Matt Guitar Murphy for a few years (had to drop out of college for that - who needs fucking classics anyways.....). Later I toured with Dickey Betts and Great Southern for 4 years before the demands of the road (and, of course the perpetual party that was G.S) got the best of me and sent me home for the time being. I was fortunate enough to get 2 tunes published during my tenure with that band, however, and even though Dickey has seen fit to press copies of it illegally and sell it at shows WITHOUT PAYING ME MY FUCKING ROYALTIES, I'm still on good terms with the guy. You know....same old story! I own a recording studio now in New Britain, CT (www.Monsterlabs.com) where I have been busy writing, engineering and producing records for lots of folks in the Greater Northeast. Hopefully, I will have some time to finish my own album one of these days - I have posted some rough incomplete tunes here. Most of these tunes feature Jeff Pevar (CPR, CSNY, Jazz is Dead) on Guitar - one of my all time favorites, and long time friend. Unfortunately, my most recent project, ZBC - a large (8-piece) Hip hop band I have been working with for the last 2 years has finally run its course....Anybody need a B-3 dude? www.MySpace.com/MattZeiner |