|
|
|
|
|
Tim Williams: Drums, Vocals |
Tim, a snappy
dresser, grew up in Tahoe- Reno area, moved to the
L.A.
area to study music and technical audio recording at
Citrus
College
and Cal State L.A., and has been featured on several studio recordings. His
credits include; drum performance, audio production, engineering,
songwriting and performed tracks on two American Film Festival films.
Tim has worked on projects with artists including George Duke, John Waite, Quincy Jones,
AWB, Los Lobos, &
Patrice Rushin.
Tim has toured Alaska and most of the mid west states, Mexico, Europe,
Eastern Europe, Russia, and the middle east.
Tim is the pulse for Crash Dance
which leads the rhythm section into its train derailing groove. He’s not only the
bumper,
he teaches Chris Joyce how to play and program keyboards, has the roll of band
psychologist, and wardrobe specialist , manages Urban Audio, an event production facility that
coordinates concert production. Tim uses Calato Regal Tip sticks and
brushes exclusively, and also endorses Carvin
products. and has been featured in several music and sound trade rags. Tim is currently studying with drum great Gary
Ponder and vocal coach Leroy Osbourne. He also writes a regular monthly column for
FOH Magazine. Influences are: Beatles, Zappa, Yes, Dregs,
Little Feat, Carpenters, Tull, Crimson, Chick Corea, TOP.
|
| Becky "Tahauri" Moon
Williams: Vocals, Percussion |
| Becky grew up in Chicago and was performing at the early age of 3 years old with her father’s Polynesian Group, the Tahitian Drum Dancers. She continued to dance for the Polynesian villages at Sea World in Florida, Disney World Polynesian Hotel, and many hotels around the country. She received the honor of “Best Tahitian Dancer” in the adult-pro class at the California Tahitian Dance Competitions in 1994, and continues to teach Polynesian dancing in the LA area.
Although she mastered the grace of the professional hula dancer, her true passion is in music. Upon moving to Southern California, she immediately gained employment as a KJ (Karaoke DJ) for many Acapulco Restaurants & other independent companies. This led to the “live mic night” at a local pub where Tim Williams, an established musician, recognized her vocal talents and immediately recruited her for projects. Becky’s credits include singing appearances on Hollywood Stars Productions, singing performances with Corey Stevens, Jamie Glaser, Black Noise, Beer Dogs, The Debbie
Clemmer Band and Hot August Nights a Neil Diamond Tribute band,
LRS Exposure, BumpTown, Smooth Touch, Rocky Padilla, LA Blue, Her dance credits
include Sea World Polynesian Village, Orlando, Fl. dancer and MC 4 years, Hawaiian Inn, Daytona Beach dancer and Tahitian drumming 4 years, Disney World Polynesian Village
dancer. |
|
Chris Joyce: Keyboards, Vocals |
|
Chris Joyce has performed with crash dance for the past five years as their
keyboardist and lead vocalist. Chris also doubles on bass & (keyboard bass) as
well as both acoustic and electric guitars. Growing up in the LA area Chris was inspired by the assortment of musical styles displayed
throughout the community and on the airwaves. Never being one to settle on any
one of anything, he studied and became proficient at covering a variety of
musical styles making him a valuable addition to Crash dances ability to
maintain an eclectic song arsenal. Along with the countless number of groups and
organizations he has worked with over the past eighteen years Chris has also had
the opportunity to serve as music director and pianist for First Lutheran Church
of Monrovia contemporary music choir from 1997 through 2001. During the 1998-99
major league baseball seasons, Chris was signed on by Disney entertainment as
keyboardist and lead vocalist for the Anaheim Angels pop and Latin review band.
Known as The Grand Slam Band he performed at most of the Angels home games at
the newly renovated Edison Field as well as many Disney special events. And from
2002 to 2004 Chris performed with Hot August Nights, a tribute band covering the
music of Neil Diamond. Aside from playing with Crash Dance, Chris is also the manager at Gards Music, an independent music store in Glendora California,
where he has enjoyed working for the past ten years.
"I look forward to being a part of Crash Dance for many years to come. Their
impeccable musicianship and ability to cover many genres of music help to make
every performance a great experience."
-Chris Joyce
 |
|
.
|
|
Mark is a versatile guitarist/vocalist who has been working in Southern
California for over twenty years. His credits include seventeen years with the
band Backstreet which was voted “Best
Inland Valley Band” in 1997 by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. With
Backstreet, Mark Ward opened shows for classic rock icons
Leon Russell, Three Dog Night,
Poco and War.
Mark was the primary session player for the R & B upstart Velvet One
productions. In addition to his independent smooth jazz projects, he can also be
seen performing with the classic rock and blues band
Coldshot. Rather than
emphasizing pyrotechnic shred techniques, his strength as a guitarist lies in a
rock solid groove. That is why
CrashDance is the perfect vehicle for him. |
| Joseph "Merlyn" Kelly: Bass, Vocals |
Merlyn started playing electric bass and trombone at age 11; by age 13 he was
performing with local bands in the High Desert. At that ripe old age of 16 is
when he decided to make music his life and the bass, both upright and electric,
his instrument. He left the high desert to study music at Citrus College and
continued on to earn a BA in music from Azusa Pacific University..
In only 6 short years, Merlyn has recorded, performed and toured Europe, Japan,
the middle east, Hawaii and Alaska. In Dec 06, performed with Gwen Stefani for
the Billboard Music Awards in Vegas, and the American Music Awards at the Shrine
Auditorium in LA. . His credits include performing with the Blue Note Swing Orchestra, upright bass and Night Shift, electric bass in Japan and Hawaii. He has also performed with Robert Slack (Buddy Rich, Paul Anka), Bill Hoehne (Miami Sound Machine, Hoagie Carmichael), Leroy Osbourne (Sade, Wham!), Tracy G. (Dio), John Avila (Oingo Boingo), Frank Gambale (Chick Corea, solo artist), Gregg Bissonette, Jimmy Borges, Dave Beatty (Tonight Show), Mike Inzunza (Les Dudek), Alan Waddington (Unforgiven), Dylan Wilson (Save Ferris).
Currently touring with Lucas Nelson and Willie Nelson. See
www.mydamnchannel.com video, The
Sound of your Memory by Lucas Nelson and the Promise of the Real. 1-09. see
Ellen Degeneres Show w/ Willie Nelson 08 Merlyn has also been performing with a number of orchestra’s throughout Southern California. The musical include Annie Get Your Gun, Footloose, Cabaret, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler On The Roof, Into the Woods and Bye Bye Birdie just to mention a few. He also recorded with jazz composer and arranger Sammy Nestico and Bill Liston. Merlyn was ask to perform for Governor of California, Gray Davis. He studied with Bunny Brunel (Chick Corea, CAB, solo artist), Mike Valerio (LA Session), Harvey Newmark (Carmen McCrae) and Tom Hynes.
|
|
Patrick "Badge" Langford: Sax, Bass |
A commanding officer in Iraq, misunderstood the name Patrick and
thought he heard "Badger" thus the nickname "Badge". Badge is the Bassist & sax
player for Crash Dance both touring Europe, Eastern Europe, middle East as well
as performing locally. Recently spotlighted and interviewed on 94.7 the
wave with his group Elements, see
www.elementslive.com |
|
Amanda Johnson: Bass,
Guitar, String Instruments, Vocals |
 |
Amanda Johnson is a teaching,
gigging, and touring musician out of Hollywood, CA. For over 12 years she has
been teaching guitar, bass, flute and piano in the Inland Empire, San Gabriel
Valley, and Los Angeles, teaching kids of all ages in public/private schools and
one-on-one lessons. Amanda graduated from the world-renowned Citrus Collage
(Glendora, CA) where her experiences there allowed her to tour internationally
with jazz and led her to connections that took her on national U.S. tours with
an original rock band (FourWayFree). That is where she met Merlyn Kelly and he
gave her the nickname, "Buttrock". Currently, she can be seen gigging all over
Southern California with various cover and original bands and musical theater
productions, but Crash Dance is definitely the most fun to play with. Original
projects include Haden/Singaia and Edumacated (currently on hiatus).
|
|
|
|
Danniel "DA"
Ledesma: Bass, vocals, keys, hippness |
 |
Original bassist for Crash from 1998 and currently
still plays with the band. DA was on the first Alaska tour. Born
in East Los Angeles and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Danniel is a Southern
California native. Playing and reading music by age 10, addicted by age 14;
there’s been no looking back for over 30 years. Danniel studied music at
Pasadena City College. The Bass is his forte and he also sings and doubles on
keys and guitars. Danniel enjoys all styles of music. “Let’s dance?”
“Crashdance” |
|
|
|
Gratz Arias: Lead Guitar and Vocals |
Gratz Arias is the lead guitarist and a lead vocalist for Crash Dance. He brings to the band a experience and creativity. He’s a master at producing incredible tones and artistry. Gratz Arias grew up in the
San Gabriel Valley and has been playing guitar since the age of thirteen. He has played in many local bands including Lava and The Hot Rocks, Angel of the Odd and Quadrant. Currently, Gratz is a free lance guitar instructor and spends his free time playing in a Top 40 band, Crash Dance, a ska/reggae band, The Toast and a rock band, Last Monday.
Gratz has recorded with Tim Gaines, from Stryper, for the Irene Kelly Project and is currently recording with Tracy G, formerly of
Dio, and is also in the studio writing and recording with Sireal and Last Monday for some upcoming releases and tours |
|
|
|
|
