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Ron von Holt was born in Chicago, IL but has lived in Marietta, Georgia since 1982. He is married to Mary Ellen* and they have a son, Chris (Bubba), who is married and just gave them their first Grand Daughter. They also have a daughter, Laura, who is married and has blessed them with 2 wonderful Grandsons. The boys are already showing signs of becoming future rock stars as they won’t let go of their guitars. Who knows, their new Granddaughter may be the lead singer in the boys band. Ron started playing music as a kid on the violin, but quickly got the Rock 'N' Roll bug and traded the violin for a tenor sax. He finally settled on the guitar. Ron was also the founding member of "CHEERS," a popular local five piece band that has been playing the Atlanta scene since 1990... Ron loves all kinds of music, from opera to country. His first love, however, is playing "FUN" Rock 'n' Roll that people can dance to and sing along with. ...and now with BackTraX !!! * BLATANT COMMERCIAL:
Be sure and visit Mary Ellen and Ron’s retail store, "Little Quilts," on 120 near the Big Chicken! Proceeds help keep Ron supplied with guitar picks.
Jack Kaplan first started pickin' on a six string guitar, but quickly mastered the bass and has been laying down a solid groove for many years. Jack grew up and played in the Kansas City Circuit with various high school bands and also played in a band with his two brothers back in the 60's. Atlanta's music scene happily welcomed Jack more than 20 years ago.
In addition to hosting various jams for local musicians for over 4 years, Jack was part of the local R&B group "Time Machine" for nine years. He also played in various other local bands including, The Ballistics, Parnasus and played bass guitar in The Rock Bottom Blues Band where they opened for Cheap Trick, Little Feat, Foghat, Georgia Satellites, Leslie West & Mountain and others. He also currently plays with the Big Biscuit Band a local Classic Rock, Dance, Wedding and Party Band, as well as a smaller trio. With over 40 bass guitars and 30 amplifiers, you never know what "axe" or amp he will be playing!
Shelli Farquhar has been singing as long as she could talk! Originally an Air Force brat from Illinois, Shelli has lived in Atlanta for over 16 years. Over the years Shelli has enjoyed sharing her vocal talents with anyone who would listen...performing everything from musical theatre and cabaret to Gospel and rock-n-roll! Most recently Shelli joined BackTraX as their female lead vocalist and really loves the camaraderie and professionalism of this band. In her spare time, she runs around with her "boys", three sons--Nathan, Duncan & Ian (aka "The Twins"!), and supportive, loving hubby Rich who also shares his musical talents as a drummer. She also volunteers A LOT with church, schools, neighborhood & community. She was even named 'Volunteer of the Year' by a Fortune 500 company! Shelli is a regular member of the Rivercliff Lutheran Church Chancel Choir and also performs at special events throughout the year and at weddings! In Atlanta, you may have heard Shelli performing with East Cobb's "One Night Band" for over two years, or in Buckhead with "Nine and a Half Days", or at a local festival every now and then....and now, officially, with BackTraX.
Pete Morley was born and raised in Northern California, but has lived (off and on) in Atlanta since 1985. After growing up in a family of boys, Pete now spends his time with his wife Kelli and their two daughters, Alex and Sam. Pete was trained as a classical pianist, but has learned to love and appreciate all types of music. He has been playing in bands since he was 11 years old. Most were rock bands, but he was also a member of the Cal-Poly University Jazz band while in college. His most bizarre musical memory was playing piano in a backup band for a local Elvis impersonator. He is also an aspiring songwriter, and released his first CD in February 2008. MP3's and info on how to purchase Pete's CD can be found on his website www.petemorley.com.
Dan Partrich is one of the original members of BackTraX. Dan, Sandy and Matt Partrich settled in Roswell in 1992 after numerous corporate transfers around the country. Resurrecting his guitar playing after a 25-year pause, Dan got into the local music scene in the mid 90's as guitarist for Dr. Bob & the East Cobb Snobs, one of East Cobb's most fun dance bands of the time.
Dan got his musical start in the mid-1960's, playing around the University of Alabama and his hometown of Tuscaloosa, then continued playing with a shipboard band while in the U.S. Navy. Dan is currently working with jazz singer Leland McKeithan developing a jazz standards based group, "The Standards Project," and periodically returns to Tuscaloosa to enjoy working with songwriter Mike Mysinger and other musician friends he has known for many years. But still finds his greatest playing thrills with BackTraX.
George Vogle has been playing drums since the age of 10. He currently also plays in the band "Cheers" (since '94) and currently plays with the Big Biscuit Band. Coax George to sing the "perfect" country and western song! George has been active in the Atlanta music scene since moving here from Chicago in '79. He played in a Horn and Show band - "Heatwave" - while attending the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) in the Mid '70s. George has played throughout the Southeast. He likes listening/playing to all types of music!
OTHER MEMBERS:From time to time one of our members may not be able to participate in our performances and have our permanent substitutes that are all respected musicians in their field. They may perform and are used exclusive for our subs for BackTrax.
JIM LOWE - Bass Guitar Jim started his musical career on the drums as a teenager in Illinois. He played drums throughout high school and college, playing in the high school marching and jazz bands and in many local rock bands. In college his band included two of the founding members of the rock group Head East. Jim left the music scene behind after college to focus on a career in the corporate world About five years ago, the music world called again and Jim learned to play the bass guitar. In addition to his work with BacktraX, Jim also plays with the popular local group, Shaken.Not Stirred, an Atlanta wedding and party band favorite.
RON REISS - Drums Ron has played drums professionally on and off since the mid 60's. He has had the privilege to play in everything from Garage Bands to the likes of Van Morrison, The Butterfield Blues Band, Orleans and various others. In his most recent years he has played with many of the local Atlanta musicians and bands such as, The Al Strozier Band, Blue Funky Daddies, BackTrax, Steve Ward, Cori Jean, Larry Griffith, John McKnight, Mike Watson, Lola Gulley, and many, many others.
LEIA CROSBY - Vocals Leia Crosby, a native Georgia Peach, found her musical voice at age 2, learning all the songs in the local community theatre's "Oklahoma" and has been singing ever since. Whether at a ball game singing the National Anthem or a local bar with friends, Leia's wide musical interest can be heard in her soulful interpretation. Leia enjoys of all genres of music but especially loves to see the dance floor full and people having a great time. Her musical influences include Bonnie Raitt, Patsy Cline, Reba, Aretha and Miranda among other powerful female voices. When she isn't singing you might find her with her family, on the lake or playing with her dogs. Her latest endeavor is learning to play guitar. She has truly enjoyed over the past few years singing with the guys in BackTraX!!
BEN TAYLOR - Keyboards and Vocals Ben Taylor started playing keyboards (electric pianos in the early days!) in the rock n' roll bands during the early 1960's in Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area. After college and a six year tour in the U.S. Air Force, Ben moved to Atlanta in 1978 as a pilot with Delta Air Lines. Ben has been playing music in the Atlanta area since 1991. In addition to BackTraX, Ben currently plays in the rock n' roll band, "Cheers" and the rhythm and blues band, "Time Machine". Ben also enjoys performing with Ron von Holt at numerous assisted living and senior adult centers throughout the Atlanta area. Ben enjoys playing all types of rock n' roll music; especially from the "doo-wop" era.
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