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Ben Bradford, (Keyboards and Vocals, songwriter and band organizer).
A native of Louisiana, the only piano training Ben ever had was some informal coaching from a family friend, Jerry Lee Lewis, in the late fifties (you will surely notice the similarities)!
Ben formed his first band in the ninth grade called Ben and the Blazers, and he was immediately hooked on music. Throughout his college years, he played with the Chains, a sixties rock band, and a rock and blues band called The Saints of Bleecker Street.
From the early nineties, Ben played in an oldies band called Free’s Better’n Cheap, until he retired in 2002, and moved from Louisiana to Mountain City, Tennessee.
While trying to form his retirement dream band, Ben did a solo act called Ben’s Bayou Boogie until dejaVu started coming together.
Ben began forming dejaVu in the fall of 2005. It was not until January of 2007 that the final member was added. dejaVu is the culmination of many years of dreaming about having a classic oldies band.
Kathy Bradford (Keyboards and vocals)
Kathy comes to Tennessee from Mississippi and Louisiana. Kathy started piano lessons at seven, and sang most of her life in choral groups. She also performed in musical and stage productions throughout her high school and college years.
In dejaVu Kathy plays keyboards and sings harmonies. She handles the band's marketing and publications and is the web site manager.
dejaVu is Kathy’s first experience in any kind of band. She is married to Ben, the band's founder and leader and Ben says he's been trying to get her to play in a band with him for years. He calls Kathy the real musician in the family. She says you only have to hear Ben play the piano once to know who the talent is in their family!
Dyan Grindstaff (Lead Female Vocalist)
Dyan grew up in Johnson County, Tennessee and was just a child when friends and relatives began to notice that she had a beautiful voice. Like many other southerners, Dyan grew up singing in the church choir and it wasn't long before her vocal talent became apparent to the parishioners and the locals.
During the late 80's, Dyan joined a local band, Reality. Dyan left the band to tend to the other areas of her life...serving in the military, getting married, raising children and owning a business.
But now she's back, and boy, what a voice! We are so happy that she is singing and performing again. Dyan's vocal range and versatility are quite extraordinary, and her sultry, bluesy voice will amaze you. Her favorite singers range from Janice Joplin to Joss Stone. You will agree that dejaVu is lucky to have this incredible talent as the lead female vocalist.
Billy Gambill (Drums, Percussion)
A native of Mountain City, Billy (like many young boys) just couldn't quit drummin' on things. In his case, this would prove to be prophetic. Billy has been playing the drums for 16 years, and has played in nine bands. His musical exposure is as varied as anyone's in the band, having played bluegrass, blues, rock and roll, jazz, gospel rock, heavy metal, and just about every other type of music you can think of (even rap).
Currently pursuing a college degree in music, Billy is majoring in percussion. We think he should be teaching it!
Billy's charismatic personality will draw your eyes to him as he performs on his “purple monster”. His rock solid rhythms lay the foundation upon which the band builds its famous sound.
Shannon Dodgion (Lead Guitar, songwriter)
Our thanks go out to Shannon’s grandmother for insisting that he take piano lessons at the age of eleven! Two years of weekly lessons later, he discovered the guitar and taught himself to play. Shannon grew his own tobacco crop at age 14, and the money he earned enabled him to buy his first bass guitar. He began writing his own songs shortly thereafter, and over the years has written dozens.
Shannon refined his skills by playing with bands of all musical genres, and his eclectic style, natural ability and musical knowledge place him among the very best. Shannon and Billy (our world class drummer) have been playing together for fifteen years and are a primary factor in the "tight" sound that dejaVu is so proud of.
Ever heard a guitar sing? If not, just listen to Shannon.
John Woodall (Lead male vocalist, accoustic guitar, songwriter)
John is a singer/songwriter from Raleigh, NC. He grew up singing gospel and R&B and majored in music at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. and then moved to New York City to attend the NYU School for Film & Television. John is the newest and youngest member of dejaVu, though he is certainly not the least experienced! While in New York, he appeared in films such as "A Beautiful Mind", "Death To Smoochy", "Glitter" and several independent and student films as well. It was during these performing years that John began to cultivate his own sound and discovered a passion for jazz and the blues.
He loves songwriting and has played his music at many well know venues across America from CBGB'S in New York to the Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville TN. John says the guys he grew up listening to everyday (from Clapton to Keb Mo) started out just like him. They said what they wanted to say in their songs - to reach people...”That's all I want to do!” What a talent – and reach you he will with his beautiful voice.
Tommy Lyons (bass, vocals, songwriter)
Another native from northeast Tennessee, Tommy has been playing guitar since age 14. He has performed with and been a part of numerous bands, most recently the Tommy Lyons Band which achieved success throughout the Tri-Cities area. His experience has been primarily in Country Western genre, but he has been eager to get into the fields of Southern Rock and Classic Rock and Roll. His biggest influence and favorite guitar player: ZZ Top's Billy Gibson.
Tommy's ability does not end with his bass playing however--he is also a songwriter with a special talent for writing ballads. Like most creative people, much of his inspiration comes from personal experience, but he also enjoys the challenge of building a song around a particular “hook” or phrase that appeals to the heart of almost everyone.
Tommy is a brilliant bass player and he adds a very specialized style to the dejaVu sound.
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