Randy Hansen - USA Band

Mr. Bill Ray - Drums

<p>Bill Ray has been playing drums since the beginning. Finding his father’s drums at 15 months old and discovering the power of 2 & 4, his purpose on this plane of existence was set in motion at the age of four, having witnessed the local “drum guru”, a man named George Lawrence (who is still a friend to this day) perform a drum solo at his parents’ photography studio in Jackson, MS.</p>
<p>In 1989 a move to California was inevitable and taking gigs of any musical style turned out to be a fertile training ground. In 2001 Ike Turner offered BR the gig and as he said many times “Billy Ray is the drummer of my soul”. Bill played with Ike on up to the end of his life and played on his 2007 Grammy Award winning album “Risin’ With The Blues”. Bill also holds over 150 other album credits to his career in all styles of music from Rock to Jazz, Country, R&B, Funk, and Eclectic “experimental” styles.</p>
<p>BR's current "personal collaboration projects" include <a href="http://oddgeteven.com" target="_blank" title="the odd get even">The Odd Get Even"</a> and <a href="https://codextempore.com" title="codex tempore" target="_blank">Codex Tempore</a> and he can be found at <a href="https://billray.me" target="_blank" title="Bill Ray.me">billray.me</a>. </p>
<p>Bill is now living in Seattle, WA and plays with LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends and guitar legend Randy Hansen. He is also keeping active in the local music scene, as well as cutting drum tracks for various projects out of his own studio. He is also accepting a limited number of students. </p> — Bill Ray has been playing drums since the beginning. Finding his father’s drums at 15 months old and discovering the power of 2 & 4, his purpose on this plane of existence was set in motion at the age of four, having witnessed the local “drum guru”, a man named George Lawrence (who is still a friend to this day) perform a drum solo at his parents’ photography studio in Jackson, MS.

In 1989 a move to California was inevitable and taking gigs of any musical style turned out to be a fertile training ground. In 2001 Ike Turner offered BR the gig and as he said many times “Billy Ray is the drummer of my soul”. Bill played with Ike on up to the end of his life and played on his 2007 Grammy Award winning album “Risin’ With The Blues”. Bill also holds over 150 other album credits to his career in all styles of music from Rock to Jazz, Country, R&B, Funk, and Eclectic “experimental” styles.

BR's current "personal collaboration projects" include The Odd Get Even" and Codex Tempore and he can be found at billray.me.

Bill is now living in Seattle, WA and plays with LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends and guitar legend Randy Hansen. He is also keeping active in the local music scene, as well as cutting drum tracks for various projects out of his own studio. He is also accepting a limited number of students.

Rick Spano - Drums

Rick Spano

www.rickspano.com

One of the Northwest’s premiere drummers, actually began his musical career playing accordion. His father, Joe Spano, one of the Northwest’s premiere accordionists, had an accordion in Rick’s lap at age 5. After four years of studying accordion Rick found his true love- DRUMS. He began studying with Keith Purvis. After 8 years with Keith he played in the Highline Community College Jazz Band and the Fred Radke (former trumpeter with Harry James) Band. Rick continued his education in Edison, New Jersey with Charlie Tapp, former teacher for Buddy Rich. After that Rick returned to Seattle to study under Bill Cottic. Rick returned to active playing performing with jazz pianist Overton Berry, Larry Coryell, Diane Schuur, Bruce Phares, Art Foxall, and Lil Brown.Rick has since performed with Roger Fisher, Randy Hansen, Herb Ellis, Scott Rosburg, Joe Spano, Rod Cook, Noel Redding, Buddy Miles, Mitch Mitchell, and several others. Rick is presently performing with Overton Berry Trio, Randy Hansen Band, Scott Rosburg Project and Tim Turner Band.

www.rickspano.com

Kevin John Adams - Bass Guitar

Kevin John Adams-Bass Guitar

Originally from Spokane, Washington Kevin's professional career started in 1976.
Kevin has toured much of the U.S. & Canada with the bands Lodestone, Spyder Davis Blues Band, Spin Gibbous, Fanatic, UVU, and The Belairs. Prior to joining The Randy Hansen Band in 2004, Kevin played and recorded for four years in a Randy Hansen side project called The Rutherfords.
Kevin also plays guitar and has written and recorded many of his own songs. Kevin considers playing in The Randy Hansen Band a "labor of love" as he was greatly influenced by Jimi Hendrix and has been close friends of Randy, Rick Spano, and Kevin Fillo for decades.