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A fine group of musicians and vocalists, “Everyday People” brings you the music Sly And The Family Stone.
“Everyday People” has recently added Family Stone alumnus, Rustee Allen, on bass, rounding out the rhythm section feel to complete the original-Family-Stone-sound. As well, the horn section now features the powerful brass of Rich Armstrong who currently tours with Cold Blood, Thomas Dolby, and many others and saxophonist, Eric Crystal, recently a touring member with Boz Scaggs.of Sly & The Family Stone.
Musical Director and Lead Singer, Fred Ross fronts the band, accompanied by Tye Austin on female vocals. Together, backed by a gritty rhythm section of polished musicians, they sing the songs, made famous by Sly & The Family Stone. The rhythm sections is Thomas “Tasche” Cryer II (keyboards), Charles Spikes (guitar), Billy Johnson (drums), and Rustee Allen (bass).
“Every Day People” performs classic hit after classic hit, such as: Stand, I Want to Take You Higher , Hey Music Lover, Everyday People, Thank You Falettinme Me Be Mice Elf Agin, Dance To The Music, Hot Fun In The Summertime, Family Affair, Sing a Simple Song, M’Lady. If you’re a fan, check the calendar for a concert coming to your area. If you’re a promoter, contact “Everyday People” to book them for an event.
Complete Band Bios:
Fred Ross – Musical Director and Lead Singer-A native of San Francisco, Fred has been singing professionally since the age of 16. Some of his vocal accomplishments include: The Martin Luther King Story (made for TV), The Stuart Little Movie, TV and radio ads for BMW., Dole, and several dot-com companies. Fred has sung the National Anthem for the Associated Press, the Presidio Memorial Day Celebration (yearly), the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49’ers, and San Francisco Giants (Barry Bonds 600th home run at SBC Park), and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Fred appears on several recordings at Strokeland Records, including the self titled “The Law According to Fred Ross”. Fred can be found most weekends at the Sir Francis Drakes “Starlight Room”. He will soon be on the road with Pee Wee Ellis, and Fred Wesley in 2011.
Rich Armstrong – Trumpet & Vocals-Rich Armstrong is one of the Bay Area’s busiest touring multi-instrumentalists, mostly known for his work with the ever challenging 80’s neo-folk artist Michelle Shocked . He has toured the US and the world many times over playing effected and looped trumpet/ flugel, congas, bongos, percussion, rhythm guitar, bass, and lead and background vox. He is classically trained on the trumpet and is well known as one of the most soulful lead singers in the Bay Area. On occasion, he can whip out the harmonica, mandolin, keyboards, DJ turntables, electric percussion pads, ukelele, and even washboard. Whatever the song needs. Rich has an album executively produced by Michelle Shocked called “Rich’s Life Pageant” that’s a voyeuristic journey through his life utilizing trumpet tone poems. That’s right folks, only the trumpet and occasional key background sounds such as the ocean, San Francisco streets, and the birth of his daughter, Anika. Some national/ international artists Rich has toured/ recorded with- Thomas Dolby, Lydia Pense & ColdBlood, BozScaggs, Michelle Shocked, Hot House Flowers, Joyce Cooling, Lyrics Born, Josh Grobin, Ozomatli, Connie Francis, Petula Clark, Bobby Rydell, Local groups I tour/play regularly with: Milagro, Wall Street, Shawn Ryan, Sonic Strut, The Fred Ross Project, Starlight Orchestra, Terese Genecco, Jazz Mafia, Jesse Hiatt, J Boogie & the Dubtronic Science, Everyday People (the Music of Sly & the Family Stone)
Eric Crystal – Saxophone–Saxophonist and composer Eric Crystal has been a stalwart of the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for nearly two decades. An immensely innovative, versatile and melodic improviser, Crystal was recently named one of the top 10 rising star soprano saxophone players in Downbeat’s renowned Annual Critics Poll. Highly in demand as both a live and studio musician, Crystal has been featured on over 20 recordings and at festivals and concerts throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia. The saxophonist has most recently toured with Boz Scaggs, and is featured on the legendary singer’s two most recent recordings, Speak Low, and But Beautiful – Standards Volume 1 which debuted at 1 on the Billboard charts. As a leader, Crystal has also created his own critically-acclaimed projects. After co-founding the improvising collective FRAME, whose CD came out in 1996, he released his first solo album, Dark Matter, on Red Giant Records in 1998. He has also performed or recorded with Toto, Bob Weir (Ratdog, Grateful Dead), Mike Clark (Headhunters), Charlie Hunter, Vijay Iyer, Norman Connors, Omar Sosa, Fred Ross Project, and members of Tower of Power, Journey and Santana.
Tye Austin – Lead Vocals–Tye Austin is a 25 year old soul singer from a small town in California. At the tender age of four, she sang “Jesus Loves Me” in front of a packed audience and instantly fell in love with the stage. When Tye was 13 she was chosen to perform as the opening act for Al Jarreau. At the age of 18, Ms. Austin was crowned Miss Kern County 2002. She went on to compete at the Miss California Pageant and won a talent award for singing her rendition of “And I am Telling You” from the Broadway hit Dreamgirls. In April 2003, she was a contestant on the T.V. show Star Search. She was been performing and recording ever since. God has put her on this Earth to sing, make music and shine. With God, the support from her family, and friends, there is no turning back.
Billy Johnson – Drums–Billy was born in Philadelphia., Pa., but is a longtime Oakland Ca. resident. He’s worked with Santana, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Patti Labelle, MC Hammer to name a few. When not with “Everyday People” you can find Billy playing with jazz guitarist Joyce Cooling, as well as the artist Rad.
Charles Spikes – Guitar –Charles Spikes (originally from Houston, Texas), was exposed to all different types of music from Gospel to Jazz, Latin and R&B. Charles studied music theory and history at Houston’s School for the Performing and Visual Arts then went on to study at Kashmere High School under Conrad Johnson. Charles had the privilege of performing with songstress Minnie Riperton and gospel vocalist extraordinaire Yolanda Adams. Charles later moved to California, where he recorded, written music for, and collaborated with such artists as Master P, Dwayne Wiggins of Toni, Tony, Tone, Ralph Tresvant, Destiny’s Child, Michael Cooper of Confunkshun and Indie Arie, Ed Kelly and the Big Belly Blues Band, John Handy, Roy Tyler & New Direction. Charles has also had the opportunity to tour with such artists as Toni, Tony, Tone, the late great J.Spencer, The DeBarge’s, After 7, BlackStreet, Guy, Tower of Power, and has played with Frank McComb. Currently, Charles is touring with Lenny Williams, as well as Fred Ross and Everyday People. Charles is also working to put the final touches on his long-anticipated solo CD project. His style of playing is known to excite crowds across the world, from Japan to New York as he is truly in the “zone” when he is on stage.
Rustee Allen – Bass–There is no funk like swamp funk, and you don’t know funk unless you have heard Rustee Allen. Born in Monroe, Louisiana and raised in Oakland, California’s Sobrante Park neighborhood, Rustee has been the backbone of funk for the past 30 plus years. He has performed or recorded with all of the heavyweights; Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, Bobby Womack, Lenny Williams, Robin Trower, Motown wonders the Temptations and the list goes on. Finally, we get to experience Rustee on his own with his first solo debut Psychic Change. Rustee’s illustrious career started at the tender age of 16 when he realized that in order to make it in this world, you have got to work. He borrowed a little black mascara, drew himself a fuller mustache to appear older, slung his bass over his back and struck out on foot to all of the clubs and chitlin’ circuits in the booming 1960’s Bay Area blues scene. Ever the dauntless young man, he approached Blues legend Johnny Talbot at a local shoe shine parlor and insisted that he give him a try. Lo and behold, Rustee went on to record his first two singles with Johnny. His career had begun! Rustee has gone on to play or record with the top movers of the music world, both locally and internationally. Basically self-taught with additional theory classes, his music has been touched by the Creator, and he is here now so that his music may move you.