Steve Crane
Born in Wichita Falls, TX. on May 3, 1950; Hometown Burkburnett, TX.; Current City Austin, TX.
Equipment: Schecter Diamond Series Bass Guitar, Gallon Krueger Backline 600 Amp, Behringer Ultra Bass BB410, and BX4210.
Steve’s musical journey began in 1964 when he saw the Beatles on television. Within 3 years he taught himself to play the guitar, formed a highly regarded regional band, The Livin End, and landed a record deal which produced multiple singles. His second group, Baby, which was part of the legendary KOMA radio station circuit in the 60s and 70s, became a national act and produced two albums. Former Baby guitarist Johnny Lee Schell went on to play with Bonnie Raitt and John Fogerty, of Credence Clearwater Revival fame. After Baby, Crane joined former Runaway Cherie Currie and her sister Marie, which produced a 1980 Capitol Records album, Messing With The Boys. Launching a solo career in 1983 legendary Eagles manager Irving Azoff signed him to MCA Records. “Kicks” was released in 1984 and was produced by Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and Jai Winding. In 1986 Crane joined Glenn Frey’s band, touring the U.S. and Japan. In 1987 Crane and guitarist Duane Sciacqua formed Big Guns, which became a mainstay on the L.A. club circuit. He was recording “The Wild Bunch” with former Three Dog Night bassist Joe Schermie when sadly Joe passed on in 2002. Crane relocated to Austin, TX in 2005 where he now resides.
He appeared with Savoy Brown, Sly and The Family Stone, Journey, Blues Image, Bloodrock, The Five Man Electrical Band, The Grassroots, Arrowsmith, Peter Frampton, Charlie Daniels Band, REO Speedwagon, Steppenwolf, and Foghat.
Mike O’Neill
Born in Wichita Falls, TX. on July 20, 1949; Hometown Wichita Falls, TX; Current City Wichita Falls, TX.
Equipment: Fender Stratocaster, Paul Reed Smith, Fender Super Reverb, and Mesa Boogie Preamp.
The following words are excerpts from Stephen Bruton’s, Austin Calling, June 20 2005, before his passing: “ I've been playing around Texas every weekend and having a good time seeing old friends and playing with great players wherever we are. Take last weekend. We played the Iron Horse Pub in Wichita Falls. Great club and a growing audience that reallly listens. Lewis Stephens played keyboards last weekend for the dates in North Texas and was killin! So, I called my old friend Michael O’Neill to sit in on guitar as well. Michael and I go all the way back to the early days of Delbert and Glen. He’s one of the true greats on guitar and if you check out his work on the first Delbert and Glen record you’ll know what I’m talking about. This guy defined guitar playing on that ground breaking album and sent all of us back to the woodshed for a looooong time to get close to what he was doing. Some players cite Clapton as their benchmark. O’Neill was mine and a lot of other people’s as well. Anyway, fast forward to a few years ago when he and I reconnected. He came to sit in and DAMN if he wasn’t still the greatest. Same fire, intensity, and execution. And, DAMN if it wasn’t a trip back to the woodshed for yours truly... So now when we play WF he plays the whole night and let me tell you it’s not to be missed!”
O’Neill has played with Delbert McClinton, Jessie Colin Young, Huey Lewis Freddie King, Kingfish, and many others both in studio and on tour.
Jessie Andrade
Born in Knox County, TX. July 13, 1964, Hometown; Munday, TX., Current City; Wichita Falls, TX.
Equipment: Pearl Pro-Deluxe Drum Kit, 22” Kick, 12” and 16” Toms, Zildian Cymbals, Promark & Vic Firth sticks, Aquarian and Evans Heads.
“I was 5 years old sitting between my Grandpa Sam and Great Uncle Paul in a small church in Munday Texas, and it all started with a pair of Maracas. My Grandpa was playing the trumpet and my Great Uncle was playing the saxophone—their sense of time was so true and natural. I’ve been trying to play the same way since. That was the day that changed my life forever.”
Since then Andrade has shared the stage with such notables as: Buddy Whittington, Delbert McClinton, Stephen Bruton, Chuck Rainey, Gary P. Nunn, Louis Stephens, Seth James, Rodney Johnson Band, Daddy O, and many others.
Charlie Rouzer
Born in Wichita Falls, TX. on August 14, 1950; Hometown Wichita Falls, Tx.; Current City Port Aransas, TX.
Equipment: On the Road: Hammond XK3c dual manual, SK-1, and Leslie 3300. In the studio: Vintage Hammond B-3 and Leslie 122.
“As a child I was constantly surrounded by music. My family exposed me to music in many different forms. One of these was a Hammond chord organ that my Father often played in the evenings. I guess it stuck because I have played Hammond organs ever since.” Rouzer began classical piano study when he was eight and continued until he was 16. The bug bit when he heard a rock band at a school assembly in junior high, and he has been pursuing rock/blues music since that day. In 1968 he was recruited by Steve Crane into the Livin End and began touring and making records. The two formed Baby several years later, which began a musical career and association that is still going strong. In the 90s Rouzer returned to the University where he completed a degree in computer information systems with liberal doses of art, music, history, and english. He was employed by the university when he heard Brian Wilson perform his long unfinished work “Smile” in L.A. Several months later it was off to London to hear the Cream reunion. Rouzer said, “I had to get back in and be part of this musical swell that is bringing everyone back together. I got a second chance, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it!” Several years later he was playing some with Mike and Jessie when he and Steve got back together, and the rest is still unfolding. He is responsible for the band’s album cover and web site design and utilizing the internet technology.
With Baby, he appeared on shows with Sly and The Family Stone, Bloodrock, The Five Man Electrical Band, The Grassroots, Journey, and Blues Image.
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