The Gnarly Brothers

About the Band

Hunt Powell, Harmonica, Vocals and Percussion.

Harpin' Hunt Powell

One of the original Gnarly Brothers, Hunt has been blowin' the harmonica since childhood, although, more seriously the last fifteen years. "I'm mostly self taught, however, I have been to workshops all over the country studying various techniques and styles." Influences include the likes of Charlie McCoy, Little Walter, William Clark, Delbert McClinton, and lots of other old blues harp players. Hunt prefers listening to Rhythm and Blues, Country Blues and Gospel. Hunt plays with Lee Oscar harmonicas, using a Blues Blaster microphone and a Dan Electro amp.

Hunt & Flag

Ron Adams, Lead Vocal and Keyboard.

“Rockin” Ron Adams

Rockin' Ron has been with the Gnarly Brothers since the beginning starting his career in 1967 playing grand openings and high school dances. He has experience playing the “Bossier Strip” and has backed Percy Sledge, Ace Cannon, and Narvel Felts including sharing the stage with Atlanta , Perfect Stranger, Asleep at the Wheel, Linda Davis, and Garth Brooks . He's also played for The Dixie Sugar Band, Fast Train, and Westwind. Ron has been influenced by Floyd Cramer, Kenny Rodgers, Bob Seger, Waylon Jennings , Alabama , Exile, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ron uses a Yamaha P-120 keyboard and a Peavey KB300 amp.

Calvin L. Ross, Saxophone, and other Woodwinds;

I started playing Sax when I was 15 years of age, in the De Soto High Marching Band. I received a 4 year College opportunity to study Music there. I Learned a lot about Jazz, Bach, etc... I taught High School for awhile. Then Started playing professionally with Bands in and around Dallas, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, where I have been for 35 years. I played with Lowell Folson, Louisiana Red, Little Milton, Ernie Kdoe, Joe Simon to name a few. Irma Thomas, Johnny Guitar Watson, the "Red Holloway Band” , The Watts103 Stratum Band. I was one of the members of the Grambling College Band that play the half-time show at the first "Super Bowl" in Los Angeles 41 years ago. "I Love to play my horn "

Calvin

Claude Toney, Bass

a.k.a. the Groove Master

Claude has held the bottom down as an original member of the Gnarly Brothers and has been influenced by great artists such as James Jamerson, Anthony Jackson, Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Haslip and Larry Graham. Claude likes all types of music from R&B to Rock to Country to even Metal. Claude currently plays a Fender 5 string bass through a Peavy amp with a Digitech effects box.

Doc Sandifer, Drums and Vocals.

Dennis "Doc" Sandifer

            "Doc" was given His first set of drums at age 14 and has played professionally since 1969. His biggest influences were Buddy Rich , Ringo Starr , Artemus Pyle , Don Brewer and John Bonham.
    His musical preference is Southern Rock and His favorite bands are Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers. He has performed with numerous bands nationwide and has been a member of the Gnarly Brothers Band since 2000. Doc says one of the perks of being an entertainer is having the opportunity to make friends and meet interesting people. He says some of the highlights in His musical career were meeting Jimi Hendrix , Gregg Allman , Percy Sledge and Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band. " I had a Friend for years that use to get Me backstage at the concerts I went to (thanks Skip) which gave Me a great deal of insight into the music industry that helped Me a lot in My musical career." Doc says.
      He thanks His Family for all the years of drum solos they endured while He was growing up and to His Wife , Vicki , for all the support through the years. He also thanks His Friends for Their support and He looks forward to each performance where there aren't any Strangers , just Friends He hasn't met yet. Doc performs with a set of Pearl maple shell drums with Zildjian cymbals and Gibraltar hardware. You can e-mail Doc at Freebird@sport.rr.com.

"All in Good Time"
Dennis "Doc" Sandifer

Mike Salinas, Lead Guitar and Vocals.

Mike "Sal" Salinas

Sal has been with the Gnarly Brothers since 1999 Although he's originally from San Antonio , TX , he now calls Bossier City , LA his home. His style has been influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Farner, and Lynyrd Skynyrd and has previously played with Two 4 the Road, Heartbeat, and Protégé. Sal currently plays a Fender 74 Strat, 96 Lone Star Strat, and a 98 Telecaster with either a Tech 21 Trademark 60, Dr Z Maz 18, or a Fender Vibroverb RI amps and using the effects of a Toneworks AG1000X, an Ibanez TS-9, a Z-Vex Super Hard On, and a Vox Wah Wah.