J.R. and the Stingrays stay true to the music of the late 50's through the 60's. It's like dropping a quarter in the jukebox and punching in the number to hear your favorite tune. Before you know it, you gotta get up and dance. Originally established in 1985. The Stingrays perform a Sha-Na-Na style oldies show complete with costumes, choreography, and a vintage flair reminiscent of the American Graffiti vibe, covering tunes from Bill Haley & the Comets, The Drifters, Beatles, Elvis, all the way up to BTO and ZZ Top. The Stingrays are best known for their oldies Rock-n-Roll and Doo-Wop show emulating the great harmony bands of the sock-hop era. Our retro music style crosses over virtually every age group and our loyal following includes rock fans and country fans alike, this is not your average cookie cutter bar band.
Meet the Stingrays....
J.R. Hansard - Lead Vocals / Guitar / Miter Saw
(AKA "Jonny Ringo")
Raised in the small mountain town of Lake Isabella California, J.R. taught himself to play the guitar at age 14, playing along with Elvis and the Beatles records; it's pretty obvious that they were heavy influences on his retro musical style. J.R. was kicked out of the high school choir because music teacher said he couldn't sing a lick, but one year later J.R. was asked to sing AND play guitar for the high school recording club by that same music teacher. In 1980 J.R. moved to Boise and started a trio called "Bandit" playing a variety of oldies rock and classic country music, J.R. has been the lead singer and front man of J.R. and the Stingrays since its inception in the early 80's. Today J.R.'s road-worn Les Paul "Maude" continues to write checks that his showmanship can easily cash.
Fun Factoid: He has a medium size dent in his head from an incident with 10 foot pole.
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| Jim with Davy Jones at the Concerts At Sea 2012 Jam Night |
Jim Wells - Lead Guitar / Vocals / Bacon
(AKA "Styles Bitchley")
Also originally from Lake Isabella California, Jim has been rippin' it up with J.R. on various musical projects ever since high school, Jim also moved to Idaho in 1980 and immediately jumped into the local music scene playing rhythm guitar and singing with several not-so-popular top 40 cover bands around the Boise Valley during the infamous "hair band" era. On the weekends Jim could be seen hanging out at the local clubs and jam-nights watching and studying his local guitar heroes like Richard Soliz and Dave Robinette and many other "top shelf" players, hoping to pick up some cool riffs and learn how to advance his lead guitar aspirations. Once again Jim teamed up with J.R. in the band that would eventually become J.R. and the Stingrays. Jim is also a huge fan of traditional rockabilly, Swing, and big-band era music.
Fun Factoid: He once punched a cat in the face because it just felt right.
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| Mike onstage backing Charlie Thomas and Drifters on the 2012 Concerts At Sea Cruise |
Mike Chenoweth - Bass Guitar / Vocals / Glide Slope
(AKA "The Singe")
Raised in Orofino Idaho you may have spotted Mike playing a trombone in the high school band or zipping around the hills of northern Idaho catching some "sweet air" on his dirt bike, Mike also joined the band in the early 80's, His straight forward bass style was a perfect fit with the Stingrays vintage sound and his musical background helped propel the group into the local spotlight. One of Mike's musical highlights was his gig as the bass player for Charlie Thomas' Drifters on the 2011 Concerts at Sea Cruise on the Grand Princess, Mike jumped in like a pro with the rest of the Stingrays in the audience cheering him on like proud parents. Mike's personal musical taste includes The Eagles, Steely Dan, and Crosby Stills & Nash.
Fun Factoid: Mike is an honorary lifelong member of the Bad Sam club.
Todd Sprague, drums/vocals (AKA Oddly Toddly)
Todd got a “Mickey Mouse” drum set at the age of nine. It was broken within two weeks. Started playing percussion for the school choir at 10. (Chicks dig drummers…) He loved playing the drums, was raised on the public school system band program. By the time Todd was 16 he was, laying down drums for 20 bucks a track at the home town recording studio. Todd went to college on a full-ride music scholarship to play in the University of Nevada-Reno Marching band. (and jazz:o) Went one year, and never went back... Well, not never. On the road, Todd saw this glorious country from the windows of his Ford van, and made a few bucks along the way. He’s the quintessential seasoned road dog who’s played drums and sang lead for you in some of the Northwest’s most popular bands: Stretch Wabash, Black Rose, The Secret Agents, Hoolybob (GO VANDALS!), Eazy Loader, and Spindlebomb (BSU). Somewhere in the middle of all that giggage, Todd was able to go back to college (U of I) and grind out a Bachelors degree in Music Composition, and Music Education (BSU). Now, teaching Jr High and elementary band to crazy kids in the public school system, Todd has eagerly jumped onto the drum throne for “JR and the STINGRAYS”. And loving it!
Todd got a “Mickey Mouse” drum set at the age of nine. It was broken within two weeks. Started playing percussion for the school choir at 10. (Chicks dig drummers…) He loved playing the drums, was raised on the public school system band program. By the time Todd was 16 he was, laying down drums for 20 bucks a track at the home town recording studio. Todd went to college on a full-ride music scholarship to play in the University of Nevada-Reno Marching band. (and jazz:o) Went one year, and never went back... Well, not never. On the road, Todd saw this glorious country from the windows of his Ford van, and made a few bucks along the way. He’s the quintessential seasoned road dog who’s played drums and sang lead for you in some of the Northwest’s most popular bands: Stretch Wabash, Black Rose, The Secret Agents, Hoolybob (GO VANDALS!), Eazy Loader, and Spindlebomb (BSU). Somewhere in the middle of all that giggage, Todd was able to go back to college (U of I) and grind out a Bachelors degree in Music Composition, and Music Education (BSU). Now, teaching Jr High and elementary band to crazy kids in the public school system, Todd has eagerly jumped onto the drum throne for “JR and the STINGRAYS”. And loving it!
Fun
Factiod: Todd’s Jr high band teacher, after hearing that Todd is now a Jr
High band teacher, laughed all day.
Sandon Mayhew - Saxophone / Tambourine / Egg Shaker
(AKA "Mr. Sandman")
Sandon is the newest Stingray and has been practicing safe sax in the Boise valley since his days at Meridian High School, as a performer, Sandon has played in literally every conceivable format, style, and group size, but most frequently playing tenor sax in jazz trios and quartets. Sandon is a member of the jazz saxophone quartet called "FOUR" as well as his working jazz group "THE NEW TRIO PLUS"; they have been together for over 16 years and are frequently commissioned to perform in special projects. As a recording artist, Sandon's smooth and tasty sax solos have been featured on over 50 albums not to mention earning horn arranging credits on a dozen of those recordings. One of Sandon's most significant accomplishments to date is the fact that over the years he has cultivated his unique signature sound and style that sets him apart as one of the most sought after musicians in the Treasure Valley. The Stingrays are extremely proud to have such an accomplished seasoned musician in the band.
Fun Factoid: He doesn't break into cars; he wears that ski mask because it's cold outside.
Brian Bittick - Keyboards / Vocals / Baked Goods
(AKA "Mix Master B")
Brian was playing piano by ear at the tender age of 5. His life was changed forever when at age 9 he took lessons piano from Bob Jetter, a touring keyboard player for the iconic 60's group "The Kingsmen". Just one year later, Brian recorded a solo piano album and was invited to perform on the Lawrence Welk show. As a pre-teen, he studied classical piano, violin, and music theory at the College of Idaho. When he was about 16, Brian's dad would sneak him into local honkytonks to jam with musicians. Throughout high school, Brian participated in every band and choir class offered, playing any musical instrument that you didn't have to blow into (sorry Sandon, spit grosses him out). After high school, Brian attended college on a full-ride music scholarship until he mortified his parents by dropping out and touring the U.S. with a pop-country band. It turned out to be a smart move. Over the years he's had the opportunity to share the stage with or open for nearly 100 national acts including Waylon Jennings, Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Big & Rich, and Toby Keith. Brian has also played in many popular local bands including Cimarron, Redstone, The Saloonatics, and Silverado. Some of Brian's musical influences include Nick Rhodes, Howard Jones, Jonathan Cain, Bruce Hornsby, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Fun Factoid: His participation in the band is court-ordered as part of a plea deal.
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Keep Rockin'
Tammy Selee
Producer
Concerts At Sea
