Brandon Giles
A self-taught pianist by the age of ?, Brandon Giles, is a force to be reckoned with on the keyboards. Over the years, he has developed his own unique sound by taking the influences of rock 'n' roll artists such as Elvis, Rolling Stones, The Doors, Hank Williams, Jr. and Jerry Lee Lewis and combined that musical energy with a newer, harder rocking beat. "It's kind of like Little Richard meets AC/DC on steroids," says Giles. Brandon can showcase his style best when playing his original music. However, his live shows are infused with a mix of hard rocking honky-tonk classics, electrifying blues and boogie-woogie standards which will bring the audience to their feet and leave them wanting more.
Giles was born in Magnolia, Arkansas where he lived on a farm for 18 years. Working as a child in the fields of his uncle's watermelon and pea patches, he quickly realized that his real life's ambition was elsewhere. After high school he left for Jonesboro, Arkansas where he attended Arkansas State University to study Communications and Art. While at ASU, he earned his real education on weekend visits to the clubs and honky-tonks in nearby Memphis. During this time, Brandon would make frequent appearances playing piano at Earnestene & Hazel's club. According to Giles, "I would play and sing in the saloons and the audience would tip me. It took about three seconds after that first dollar hit my pocket to realize that my pea-picking and watermelon-vine-turning days were over."
Upon graduating from ASU, Giles made the leap of faith and moved his musical career to the true Music City, Nashville, Tennessee. Not long after hitting town he landed a regular gig at Nashville s premier outlaw honky-tonk club, Laylas Bluegrass Inn on historic Lower Broadway. It was there where Brandon quickly honed his craft into what he likes to call a "crash course of honky-tonk chicken-wire, brick wall, shotgun nightclub entertaining. Forget New York City, if you can make it (or survive) down there you can make it anywhere. Layla's has always felt like home for Brandon Giles and the Tricky Two Band. It fast became one of their favorite places to play, and fans can still find them there on an occasional Friday or Saturday night, rocking the house for wondering tourists and dedicated locals.
Over the past several years, Brandon has played with many notable musicians on various projects. He has played with Les Paul in Times Square in New York City, appeared on Monday Night Football, and performed with Mickey Gilley at his theater in Branson, Missouri. Recently he has opened shows in arenas for Juice Newton, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Joe Diffie, and Lee Greenwood. He has also played with the infamous Kid Rock and the legendary Ray Charles.
John Searcy
John "No Mercy" Searcy, as he is known by most, is a natural born drummer, who has been honing his craft since the age of three. Born into a musical family, John received his first Slingerland set, when he was just five years old. It was a gift from the drummer in his parent's band, where he often sat in during jam sessions at home. John went on to spend his high school years as a drummer in the marching band, however, it wasn't until he went to Belmont College that he would decide music was what he would pursue as a career.
Through the years, Searcy has continued to develop into one of Nashville's premier drummers, playing with such artists as The Fox Brothers, Spencer Crossing and former James Brown Soul General, Waldo Weathers and his band The Mix. In 2002, John met Brandon Giles, and agreed to play one gig with him. They have been ripping up the stage together, in Nashville and across the country, ever since.
Steve Schuffert
Steve Schuffert, lead guitarist for "Brandon Giles & The Tricky Two" Brought to town by T. Graham Brown in 1993! As a songwriter Steve has had his songs recorded by artist such as the living legend George Jones, Kenny Rogers, T. Graham Brown, Tommy Castro and others. He also has his own band: The Steve Schuffert Band. They have amassed a large cult following in Europe over the last 10 years, releasing seven cd's and completeing thirteen major tours,accumulating over 700 shows in seven countries,including performing at the famous "Montreux Jazz Festival" in 2000. The Steve Schuffert Band's latest cd titled "7" is available via downloads at ITUNES or CDBABY. More info and updates on SSB are available at
www.myspace.com/steveschuffertband. Steve has also been featured over the years as guitarist for T.Graham Brown, playing innumerable road dates,television shows, and recording sessions with him. Steve is the newest addition to "Brandon Giles & the Tricky Two" and is thoroughly enjoying his role as a permanent fixture in the group.
Fred Yates
Fred Yates was born to play the bass. His first paid gig came at the tender age of only four years old. By the time he was eight, Yates was on the road, during his summer vacation, with Grand Ole Opry comedic star Cousin Pud. It was on this tour where he met and performed with Hank Snow. Throughout his teen years, Fred played with various Midwest bands. At only 15, he auditioned for Bobby Vee and won the job, which quickly came to a halt when Bobby found out his true age. Following high School, Yates graduated from Moorhead State University in 1975 with a degree in music. Immediately following graduation, he performed at Dakota Jam 2 for an audience of 22,000.
In 1979, Fred moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he played with three Best of Phoenix awards winning bands in the early 80s. Yates toured with Del Shannon and the Shirelles from 1986-1989, and then with Bob Welch of Fleetwood Mac fame until 1991. For the next two years, he toured with Bite The Bullet, and then played locally until his move to Nashville in 1996. It was there that he helped form the band Scalded Dog in 2000 and had the privilege of performing live on the Lightning 100 radio show. Since 2001, Yates has played bass for Brandon Giles and the Tricky Two.
autor: hipek » lutego 4, 2010, 9:37 am 
