Steve Throop Group

~ Steve Throop ~ Vocals A soulful and genuine performer that has the ability to express the essence of the Blues. Purveying the intense feeling and emotion that is the Blues. With a vocal range that runs the gamut from soulful screams and soaring vibrato filled highs. Through and down to a smooth deep baritone. Colored with the guttural growls and howls of the Original Delta Bluesman. Reminiscent of his idol, Blues legend Chester Arthur Burnett "The "Howlin’ Wolf." . Getting an early start learning his vocal skills with a session in the Golden State Boys Choir at the age of ten. At 15 he was taken to see the 1979 San Francisco Blues Festival at Golden Gate Park. On the bill that day was Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble with Lou Ann Barton , Big Momma Thornton, Robert Cray Band along with Bay Area Legend Ron Thompson among others. He sites that day as when he “Caught the Blues”. Further fortifying his education over the course of the next decade by laying witness to a wide cross section of Blues Legends first hand while attending most of San Francisco’s Summer Blues Festivals between 1979 -1993. What better education could a future Purveyor of the Blues have~! Originally stepping in front of his first band in 1983, Over the next 15 years he assumed the position of frontman for a number of popular bands in the Bay area such as: The Notorious Space Heaters, Left Coast Groove and Old Habits to name a few. Forming STG in 1998. Having the great fortune to have played with some of the finest Blues musicians in the Bay Area. ~Jim Spangler~ Guitars/ Vocals Jim has been a constant on the who's who list of Bay Area guitar slingers for nearly two decades now. Drawing from multiple styles he's known for his superb slide work as well as being a powerful lead player. He has a wide variety of blazing licks in his bag of tricks along with killer tone. he gets rom his beloved Gibson guitars through his customized vintage Fender amps. Not to mention having a great voice as well. A veteran of the Blues Jim has toured all over playing with a wide variety of well known players. ~Rick Hoornbeck~ Bass / Vocals Originally from New York Rick is a Sound Engineer who runs his own studio as well as being a phenomenal Bassist. He plays anything with strings, and plays it well~! He has been a permanent fixture of the Bay Area's who's who for over 30 years. Playing with wide variety of world renowned musicians. Folks who have played Woodstock, Monterey Pop and just about every Blues Festival or Major Music Festival that has been played in California. Also lending his talents to well known bands like Variant Soul and The Roadhouse Ramblers. ~Will McDougal~ Piano /Synth / Keys/ Vocals Another Cali boy, Will the Thrill as he's known has the most formal musical pedigree in the band. Having a depth of playing ability that most will never know. Then adding to that a member of the Doobie Brothers as a teacher and mentor, Will has fastracked his way up the musicians ladder. At the young age of 21 he brings a full range of Piano, Organ and Synthesizer skills to the mix. He's studied with the infamous Jazz Man Ray Brown as well and is currently finishing his degree in Music at San Jose State. With Touring with Superior Olive and playing with The White Album Ensemble already under his belt STG's proud to have him aboard. ~FuzzyJohn Oxendine~ Drums / Percussion / Vocals Trap kit or washboard. Congas, Bongos anything percussive. Always on time FuzzyJohn Oxendine comes with a pedigree that reads like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Members list. Having played at Monterey Pop in the beginning of his career he went up from there. Moby Grape, Jerry Miller Band, Sons of Champlin, Rhythm Dukes, Boz Scaggs and the list goes on. Having Fuzzy in the band just makes it easy! Always in the pocket and doing what needs to be done it's an honor and a pleasure to have Fuzz in the band. ~Jim Greiner~ Percussion Jim is an internationally acclaimed, multiple award-winning percussionist, percussion educator and community drumming leader.  His performance credits include: touring the world for 20 years with one of America's top corporate events bands, and headline festivals and concerts with Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Jerry Miller Band (Moby Grape), R & B "Lioness" Sista Monica Parker, and more.  Jim is an endorser/clinician/product developer for a number of the premier music instrument manufacturers, including LP (Latin Percussion), Sabian Cymbals, ProMark Drumsticks, Audix Microphones, Gibraltar Drum Hardware and Factory Metal Percussion.  Jim is a also rare seven-time  winner of Drum! Magazine's annual Readers Poll Awards for his playing, teaching and instructional DVDs.  He has appeared on numerous national and international media, including, PBS, NPR, the BBC, The Discovery Channel - South America, The New York Times, Rhythm Magazine - Chile, and more. Jim is also world-renowned for being one of the leaders of the contemporary worldwide Community Drumming movement.  He is also recognized as one of the pioneers of using interactive rhythm sessions for corporate team building and conference keynotes.Through his own company, Hands-On! Drumming® Events (www.HandsOnDrum.com), Jim travels the globe conducting rhythm sessions for corporate groups, community events, schools and private celebration

Santa Cruz, CA