Daryle Ryan: Iron Mountain MI, Formerly of San Antonio TexasLead Singer
I was born a poor black child.... I remember sitting on the porch singing the blues....
I drove 1500 miles to join this band. And after watching and hearing these guys it was well worth the trip. I am a displaced Texan, and I gotta say Texas is in my blood, but I am loving the U.P. Moved up here in September '06, so yes, I have survived one winter. I grew up on country music and can't wait to get on the stage. George Strait, George Jones and Merle are some of my biggest influences. But my favorite singer is my brother, Phil. If it weren't for him I wouldn't be doing this today. Thanks, Bro, for getting me up there singing the first time. Y'all come out and join the party whenever we play and we will have a Bad Axe time. And yes, Cal, "Y'all" is a word.
Bob Hostettler (HOSS): Quinnesec MIGuitar and vocals
I was born and raised in Iron Mountain, MI. I guess that makes me a "yooper". My biggest influence for my love of music were my parents, seems like they were always singing or whistling a song, when I was 9 yrs. old my grandma bought me a guitar, mom signed me up for lessons, and I was on my way, listening to the 45's (remember them?) of Elvis, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, and later Lynyrd Skynyrd, and other southern rock bands, anticipating the day I could play in a band. I am grateful and fortunate to have played with some of the areas top musicians over the years. In various bands locally and touring full time throughout the Midwest for 4 years during the 80's, later settling back home in the U.P. and marrying the love of my life, Kim. Shortly after in 1990 I joined the city limits band, playing the music I loved, country with an edge, and for 17 yrs. we had a blast, from playing bars to opening for national acts. But another page is turned and a new chapter begins, "Bad Axe Rodeo" this one promises to be bigger and badder than ever, so hold on, It's gonna be a wild one, cuz "THIS AIN'T NO 8 SECOND RIDE"........................
Brent Hostettler
Drums
I have been involved in music since the second I was born, being that my father was local and regional musician., Although he tried hard to get me to play guitar I decided early on to play drums, I took lessons for about 5 years and decided I wasn't learning anymore. Where I then experimented with playing in bands. I have been fortunate enough to play in local bar bands, with older more experienced musicians including Tru Blu and Wandering Jones. At the ripe age of 18 I'm thrilled to be finally playing in a band with my old man, Its truly an honor and look forward to having fun and grooving (along with some rapping) to the beat with bad axe rodeo!
-Brent
Damian Lakomy: Kingsford MIGuitar and Rapper
I was born a full blooded Polish person. After not being allowed to play accordion in the family Polka Band, I revolted and took up the guitar. I studied day and night listening to Tiny Tims, Tip Toe through the Tulips trying to copy his singing voice and ukulele riffs. At the age of 13, I joined my first band and after countless restraining orders they could not get rid of me and the rest is history. All kidding aside, I study and practice jazz and classical guitar working on my technique as a player. On stage you will see me rap, dance and act goofy enjoying myself making people smile and laugh. Good music helps people dance and I have been watching and learning from our audience for years. Hope you enjoy the effort we put forth as a band.
Damian Super " P " Lakomy
Bobby Nichols: Niagara WIBass Guitar and Vocals
I'm from the small Wisconsin town of Fence. It's the kind of place where everybody knows everybody else, and a lot of people are related.
I really can't remember all the bands I've been in over the years. I've been playing in bands since I was sixteen with a year or so off once in the while in between bands. My biggest and best Rock-n-Roll band was "Flashback," and likewise for Country has been "City Limits"...SO FAR :-) I've opened for many Rock and Country artists/bands over the years, I've even had the opportunity to meet and converse with some. I'd be lucky if I could rattle off 10% of them, so I won't even try.
My favorite styles of music are 80's rock/New Wave, Singer/Songwriter, Rock, and Country. I consider myself to be a "groove bassist" (Yes... I also play guitar!) I love to play in the band with Cal because he's the ultimate time keeper; this leaves me a lot of room to have fun with what I'm doing. I take more of an artistic approach to playing bass guitar instead of trying to throw as many notes as possible into a song. I am somewhat proud of the fact that I sing the majority of the harmonies, many of these are a different rhythm from what I'm playing on bass. Most people don't realize the difficulty of this... but other musicians do.
These guys in "Bad Axe Rodeo" (that's "row-day-oh") :-) that I play with now are not only my comrades, but their also my best friends, and they feel like family to me.
Thanks for taking an interest in the band. If you come out to see us, see me checking out another band, or whatever, feel free to approach me. I love to talk (sometimes too much) and love to meet new people.
-Bobby
Sound ManDave's Bio.
Written by Cal Coopman (drummer for Bax Axe Rodeo)
When we first decided to put a website together one of the first things that Lisa asked for was that everyone write up a bio of themselves so people can learn a bit about that person. Dave is a bit shy and doesn't like to talk about himself so I've decided to speak for him.
Dave Sullivan,
Dave has been a soundman in the local area since the early to mid 90's. He has ran sound for various bands including Iron Mountain favorites Rockslide, Hourglass, City Limits and now the infamous "Bad Axe Rodeo". Dave has also ran sound at many big festivals out of the area including Rockfest in Cadott, WI and The Porterfield country music festival.
It seems to me when people start talking about soundmen, Dave's name comes up first. I myself have worked with numerous soundmen the last 30 years. Some great some not so great and I can tell you a soundman can either make or break a band. That's how important they are. I remember one "gig" I went to at Greenleafs a few years ago when Dave was running sound for Rockslide. I walked into the bar, stood right in front of the band and was totally amazed at the sound I was hearing. I remember thinking "I really hope I get to have him as my soundman someday. I had never heard drums sound that great in a bar, I could hear every instrument, vocal and harmony clearly. I knew then I had to work with him someday.
Well, a few years later that's what ended up happening. I can sincerely say Dave is not only the hardest working soundman I have ever played with, he is also the humblest one and just an all around great guy. I consider him one of my best friends. Oh, plus he fixed my furnace a week ago when the temp. got down in the 30's so he is not only the best soundman around but he's the best and cheapest "furnace repair guy" I've ever had. Hey Dave, I'm having problems with the heater in my motorhome...
So, thanks Dave for the years you gave to City Limits and I hope you are the last soundman I ever work with. And I mean that sincerely.
Cal
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