PT & the Cruisers

Patty Tiscareno, since 1968, has been a member of numerous notable groups including the Medicine Band, Southwest and the Moon Pie Daince Band. In 2003 she decided it was time to have a band that she could call "her own". PT & the Cruisers was created to include some of the greatest players in the business. She has worked on numerous recording projects and collaborated on original songs for the YMCA and The Races for the Cure. She grew up with musical influences of Linda Ronstadt, Simon & Garfunkle and Joan Baez. She is the Executive Director of the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation since its inception in 1996.

Andre Bonaguidi - a 45 year veteran of the drums, has worked extensively as a studio and performance musician. He has opened for such acts as Buffalo Springfield, Canned Heat, and Johnny Rivers and the Grassroots. His musical influences include Bobby Fuller, the Beatles & Rolling Stones. Andre played with El Paso stand-outs such as U.S. Naval, Bubba Jo, Swift Rain and Black Tie. Prior to becoming a fine wine sales representative with Glazer Wholesale, his family owned and operated Hugo's Liquors for 65 years. He has two daughters and 5 grandchildren and drives a "PT Cruiser".

Gary Hollis credits the Beatles, Cream, The Allman Brothers and Eric Clapton as some of his musical influences. Gary has been singing and playing guitar since 1969 with El Paso bands Captain Radio, Southwest, RH Factor, Chaser, and Gary and the Fossils. He is a Financial Analyst with Cardinal Health, is married to Julie and has two daughters, Kelsey and Bailey. Gary is the youngest member of the group and the only one without gray, receding or color-enhanced hair.

Doug Neal - the Founding Father of the Moon Pie Dance Band, has been performing, recording and writing since the 1960's. Moon Pie recorded three albums during their career and opened for over 100 major acts to include such notables as Emmy Lou Harris, Hank Williams, Jr., The Blues Brothers, Bo Diddley, Eddie Rabbitt and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Prior to Moon Pie, Doug played with Infants of Soul, The Instigators, Gorilla, and the Randy Fuller Group. He is VP of Hillyard Industries, is married to Laura and has two children and three grandchildren.

John "Buddy" Winston - started playing guitar during the 1960's folk music revival. He sings and plays guitar, bass mandolin, and 5-string banjo; picking up the latter after hearing Earl Scruggs play Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Early influences include Peter, Paul & Mary, Chet Atkins, Doc Watson and "anyone else with a lick to steal". He has enjoyed numerous annual retreats studying with guitar greats Tommy Emmanuel and Chet Atkins. He has worked and recorded with local favorites Los Paisanos and the Applejack Band. He is President of Radiological Physics, Inc., and is married to noted artist, Pat Olchefski-Winston.

Route 66

The Original band Route 66 was formed here in El Paso approximately 12 years ago by Angelo. Since then we have had several players leave the El Paso area. Todays members are Alex Estrada on Bass, Greg Reid on Rythem and lead and back up vocals, Rudy Acuna on Lead Guitar and Lead and back up vocals, Matt Sistrunck on Alto Sax and back up vocals, and Angelo Amoriello on Drums, lead and back up vocals.

Greg Reid was born in Southern California, and has been playing and writing music since 1970. His blend of music consists of Folk, Blues, Rock and Christian. Greg is an accomplished musician who has written over 100 songs and has also written 12 books. Greg sang at a wedding back some time ago with Keith Green a very prominent Christian singer. Greg has been with Route 66 for the past 9 years.

Rudy Acuna was born in California and is also a very accomplished musician. Rudy plays lead guitar with the band and also sings lead and back up vocals. Rudy has been playing guitar for the past 20 years and does Christian Blues and Oldies. Rudy had recently produced a Christian CD titled "To All The World" which most of the band members had assisted him with. Rudy has been a school counselor for the past 9 years . Rudy has been with the band for the past 2 years.

Matt Sistrunck who was a West Point Graduate is originally from Ohio and is currently residing in El Paso. Matt plays the Alto Sax and has been playing since 1995. Matt also sings back up and some lead with the band. Matt got into music mainly as therapy while going thru a very trying time during his divorce. Matt has dedicated his life and musical talents to the Lord who has opened the door to multiply his many talents. Matt has been with the band for the past 1.5 years.

Alex Estrada has been playing with Route 66 for the past 9 years and is also a very accomplished musician. Alex plays Bass with the band and is always very willing and able to handle whatever challenging new songs may arise.

Angelo Amoriello was born in New Jersey and was stationed in El Paso during his 2 year tour with US Army. He met the love of his life, Joanie, who was born and raised in El Paso and decided not to go back to Jersey. Angelo has been playing drums since he was 14 years old and played in many bands back in Jersey. One of the bands he was in was called The Statics Revue. They played back up to singer Lou Rawls at Memorial Stadium in Phila. Our manager was 1st

We never quite believed our manager Bob Cristophe, until one day while we were practicing at my aunt's basement lo and behold, Frankie Valle came down the basement stairs to listen to us. That had to be at the top of one of the most exciting things to ever happen in my life besides meeting my wife for the first time.

Route 66 has played events in the El Paso area to include Alfresco Fridays, The Signature room at Sunland Park Casino, Amigo Air show 3 years in a row, Several Real Estate conventions at the Civic Center, Zin Valle winery a number of times, along with private parties and several encore performances at Dominics Italian restaraunt.

Tim Jordan & Black Wolf Moon

Bassist and lead male vocalist, Tim Jordan, grew up in northeast El Paso, graduating from Irvin High School in 1971. During his teenage years, Tim took to performing in rock groups all over El Paso, in particular, in 1968 playing with Tommy Cantrell, Gary Durry, Billy Bowell and Ronnie Davis in the 1968 band, the "SHADES of KAI". Tim also played the Ludwig drums for Gene Porter and "The Lonesome Kings", a very popular Country and Western El Paso group. Says Tim, "It was not uncommon to find them playing at the Tom Bells Saloon in northeast El Paso every Friday and Saturday night!" In the following years after his military service, Tim attended the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama in 1977 where he studied "Commercial Music" under Rick Hall, the UNA Course Instructor, and the owner and recording mogul of "Muscle Shoals Sound". It was during this time that Tim joined up with several local Muscle Shoals rock acts, playing his Les Paul Custom guitar in the "Rockin’ Horse Band", and later hooked up with hard rock act "RAVEN" in 1981, successfully playing many more shows around the southeast, including Huntsville Alabama, Iuka Mississippi, Decatur Alabama and was afforded the opportunity to play as the front band to recording group Dire Straits in Birmingham, Alabama. Tim indicates that his greatest influences growing up were the bands he listened to at the renown McKelligan Canyon dances, as well as the Cathedral dances, notably his greatest influence, Rod Crosby ( and the Intruders). Then there were other local bands such as The Chains, Highway, Jon Anderson and Paul Quattlebaum's bands, Donna Pence and her great bands, Gorilla, and so many more bands that graced El Paso at the time. His favorite El Paso band, is of course, The Bobby Fuller Four. Tim relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 1982, playing the local music scene for several years. In 2011, after retiring from law enforcement, Tim formed "Black Wolf Moon", and as the band matured, has achieved some positive notoriety around the Classic Rock cover venues in metro-Atlanta.

Black Wolf Moon presently consists of its youngest member, guitarist, Nick Moss, who hails from Douglasville, Georgia and claims The Beatles as his greatest musical influence. Bob Stewart, on the Yamaha keyboards, resided many years in Tucson Arizona. Bob has played professionally in Los Angeles with many popular LA acts. Much of this time was spent performing with ex-Raspberry, Scott McCarl, thus it was from this true industry veteran that Bob learned his keen performance and songwriting skills. Drummer Kevin Jeon, attended William Patterson University, in NYC; majoring in percussions and drums, where he developed his own unique style. After graduation from college, Kevin began working as a professional studio drummer, doing numerous albums for local musicians. In 2007, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, performing shows in clubs, recording sessions and drumming with various live acts. Kevin joined the Black Wolf Moon family in 2013. Lastly, the band features one of the most talented lead female rock singers in the metro Atlanta area - Jessica Mangione. "Jess" spent time with various professional recording and studio acts, performing many of their shows in the Casinos of Las Vegas. Jess is a true industry professional and states that she "never was given a pacifier as a child, but handed a microphone!" Jesse says that because of that one event, "She has been singing ever since!"

To learn more about the band Black Wolf Moon, you may go to their website at: www.blackwolfmoon.com or visit their Facebook page at: http://facebook.com/blackwolfmoonrocks

"Sarge" Mike Preston

Sargeant Mike Preston is an Iowa native, and is El Paso’s longest tenured radio personality, on El Paso’s airwaves since 1975. "The Sarge" started his career in 1971 and became a Program Director in 1976, and has programmed several of El Paso’s top-rated radio stations in a variety of formats.

El Pasoan’s hear Sarge weekday mornings from 5:30-10 as one-half of the dynamic duo of "Double Trouble", with partner Mojo JoJoe. He has been on 92.3 the FOX since 1988 and has a real passion for all types of music, especially Levon Helm, The Beatles, John Fogerty, Ray Charles, Santana, Johnny Cash & Pat Benatar… plus is a huge fan of the incredible El Paso local music community.

Mike‘s favorite thing to do is hang out with his family, and in his spare time he loves watching all sports, especially College Basketball, Football, Auto Racing & Major League Baseball, and is an avid reader.

Twisted Hams

Twisted Hams is a rock 'n' roll band from El Paso, Texas. The band was formed by three local science teachers and has expanded to a five-piece group. The current members are Nicole O'Leary, Paul Hyder, Ron Lambert, Randy Russ and Mike McFee. Although the name was originally derived from a sandwich, it is really indicative of the bands quirky music and showy attitude.

The band is diverse in its musical influences and styles. Mostly, just good ol' feel good rock 'n' roll. These styles are blended in a smooth and pleasing way that attracts a wide range of listeners. Some of our songs have tongue-in-cheek lyrics that come off as being slightly irreverent.

As we like to say... "We take our not-so-serious music seriously". We have been playing together for over five years and recorded our first CD in July of 2012 at El Adobe Studios. The Twisted Hams play at many local and regional venues.

- See more at: http://twistedhams.com

Rick Kern

Cuervo

The members of the band Cuervo are Jerry Morin - lead vocal, guitar, and keyboard, Johnny Quintana - drums and percussion, and Steve Thummel - vocals and bass guitar.

Cuervo began in 1988 when Jerry Morin and then-bassist George Willis decided to start a classic rock band that would perform at a level that they did while on the "A" club circuit when they toured in different bands. They added drummer Johnny Quintana to complete the group. Initially, Cuervo was a power trio, but later added a keyboardist. As per numerous audience requests, Cuervo went back to being a trio rather than a four-piece band.

Throughout the years, Cuervo has been an opening act in concerts for Cheap Trick, Balaam and the Angel, Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night), Mickey Thomas (Jefferson Starship), Leon Russell, Tommy James and the Shondells and The Grassroots, to name a few.

Cuervo continues to perform monthly throughout El Paso at various clubs and venues. Playing rock and roll helps keep them young at heart.

Rod Crosby

Monica Gomez

Mónica Gómez has made her living in the arts, communications and broadcasting. Born in Mexico and raised in El Paso, she’s an award-winning writer, teaching artist, motivational speaker, martial artist, voice talent and broadcaster.

As a singer/songwriter, Mónica recorded three CDs and traveled extensively – from China’s Meet in Beijing Arts Festival to Mexico City as Texas Commission on the Arts’ cultural emissary with the Governor’s Trade Delegation. ASCAP recognized the unique prestige value of her musical performances with fifteen Special Awards.

As a news reporter with KVIA TV-7, Mónica specialized in covering arts and human- interest features, earning accolades for scriptwriting, video editing, and camera presence.

A public broadcasting advocate, she volunteers with NPR affiliate, KTEP 88.5 FM, hosting State of the Arts, and moderates annual PBS affiliate, KCOS TV-13 live broadcasts of the National Issues Forum.

Her work has been published in numerous anthologies including Red Boots & Attitude: The Spirit of Texas Women Writers. She twice received the El Paso Writers’ League’s Best of Best poetry award and has been featured on NPR’s Theme and Variations.

Over time, Mónica transitioned from performing for audiences to the interactive work of teaching about creativity and the arts, incorporating elements of her music, her lifelong interest in martial arts and T’ai Chi, and creative writing.

Distilled from many hours of deeply meaningful work with diverse populations, Mónica’s book, EXPRESSERCIZE: Write Answers Creative Writing Workbook contains more than 100 exercises in expression and self-discovery. Her book is in use at the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department, Ft. Bliss Warrior Resilience Center for soldiers with PTSD, Da Vinci School for Science and the Arts.

Mónica has received multiple grants from the El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department and Texas Commission on the Arts to present her workshops in the community, and a TCA Arts Respond and El Paso Community Foundation grant to teach at the Juvenile Probation Department.

Sonny & Cher with The Henchmen

The Henchmen

The Henchmen formed in 1965 as a Top-40 cover band. Founding members were Paul Dillon on lead guitar & vocals, and David Dyer on drums. They later added Mike Ekdall on rhythm guitar, keyboard & vocals and Mike Ballard on bass. The group quickly gained local popularity, playing every weekend for nearly three years.

The Henchmen's strength was their soaring vocal harmonies by Ekdall and Dillon, which enabled them to duplicate the sounds of The Byrds, The Everly Brothers and many British Invasion bands of the era. Mike Ballard’s affinity for more "underground" music expanded the group's repertoire to include music by Cream, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix.

Career highlights included performing at the world premier of the Sonny & Cher movie, Good Times, and as opening act for big venue concert acts including Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap and Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels. The Henchmen played together until the Summer of 1968, when Dyer left El Paso to continue his education. To this day, The Henchmen are considered by many to be one of El Paso's greatest rock bands.