BRIAN ZALO - Lead GuitarHaving a busy schedule playing shows and festivals with his main group Smith and Jones Brian still manages to play lead guitar for other Artists such as, Smith and Jones , Long Run, Head Room, Steel Horse, The Ultimate Elvis show band and countless others. Nominated as one of the TOP 5 guitar players in BC for years Brian also played the role of music director on various BCCMA Saturday award shows. Serving as host band for the BC Country Music Association’s music event. In 2010 Brian was honoured with “ Lifetime Achievement Award” For guitar playing in western Canada. Having been in the music business for over 30 years he forged a solid place in BC music industry playing many styles from Top 40 rock to Country
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SHAWN BROWN A.K.A. MILO JENNINGS - DrummerShawn brown aka "Milo Jennings" has been a professional drummer since the tender age of 15. Recorded a full length gospel album and played with Billy Preston. Shawn carries on with his career as a drummer for many years in the gospel world and traveled throughout Canada and the USA and has also traveled through Europe and Israel. Shawn has played with Grammy Award winners Andre and Sandra Crouch, Patti Howard (Whitney Houston back-up vocalist), Alvin Slaughter (Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir), Pam Thumb, Michael Petersen, and DC Talk. In 2007 Shawn joined forces with Smith and Jones, who basically played with every recording country artist as a back up band - Sandra Laratta, Brent Lee, Farmers Daughter, Chad Brownlee, Aaron Pritchett and Karen Lee Batten. Shawn has been nominated 12 as a finalist for country drummer of the year. As the premier drummer with the Ultimate Elvis Show Band, Shawn has worked with the world's top Elvis tributes at the Penticton Elvis Festival and also played the PNE fairgrounds for and Elvis show which drew the biggest outdoor audience to this date for a free outdoor show, well over 20,000 people
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JOHN DEAN - PianistLooking back, I was your typical naughty country boy growing up that didn't like to practice piano. I wasn't openly proud of playing in music festivals and taking the stressful Royal Conservatory Exams each year either. I think I was always a rebel at heart, dreaming of playing guitar in a heavy metal band. I kept at it though with the encouragement of a wonderful teacher, Ms. Brigidear and of course my somewhat strict parents. Upon earning my Classical Associate Diploma ( ARCT ) and graduating from The Selkirk College Professional Music Program in Nelson I decided to make a living with music. That was 30 years ago. I won't dwell on all my achievements, but am grateful that I still work in the industry teaching, producing, writing, performing, and now I actually can't wait to go and practice.
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CRAIG ALLEN MACK - BassistFor the past two decades Smith and Jones have carved out a solid place in Canadian Music, and Craig Allen Mack has been there all the way.
Making waves at home, reaching the shores of Australia. Three great vocal styles and artistic sense show pretty much in everything they do and how they project their music. Having radio across Canada and abroad in their court. Craig Alan Mac is definitely a strong force and influence for other groups in BC. |
BRIAN "ELVIS" SIMPSON - Lead SingerElvis captured this young boys attention right after he saw the Aloha Live From Hawaii television broadcast at the tender age of 6. Music was always an influence right through his schooling years - and this lead to this internationally acclaimed award winning singer. A four time Elvis Festival Champion he was one of the top ten Elvis performers in the nation in 1998. He then added musical producer to his resume, becoming the producer of "The Ultimate Elvis Show" featuring all eras of the KING. He was the musical producer, featured performer and Master Of Ceremonies for the Penticton Elvis Festival from 2006-2011, and also worked tight with Red Robinson and his productions at the Pacific National Exhibition annually for the very much anticipated - "An Evening With Elvis".
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