Meet the Band

e-mail us at ShotgunDramaJunkies@gmail.com

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US:

“I just wanted to thank you and the Junkies for …playing for the event.  I can say in all honesty, I thought your music was great, and so did the crowd.  I heard countless great comments.  You guys were a big hit, and we were very fortunate to have you there.   As a bonus – I personally enjoyed being off-stage for the most I have ever been in [our event] history.  That part was great for me.

“Also, a special thanks to my new best friend Earl.   When he walked in at noon, it took me a couple of minutes to digest what he was trying to tell me.  Once it clicked in my brain, it was an easy answer – “Earl – do it your way, just tell me what you want from me”.  (And the old mixer went back in the box for the next bunch of years – maybe forever.)  I thought the sound was awesome – by far the best we have ever had …and, frankly, the best the [we] have ever had – ever.  ([My band does] our own stage mix, ….  Stone age in comparison to Earl’s live digital mix.)

“If we ever do another [event like this] (I’m getting a little old for this – but the crowd was fired up to do it again), I will certainly be asking if the Junkies are available.  You guys were truly a hit.

“Please pass along my thanks to everyone.  I hope that they enjoyed the event and felt the appreciation.

“Cheers.  ~Gene S.”

Kevin animates the stage with his rockin’ bass and groovin’ moves.  He works with our sound and light technician to provide a great sounding as well as visual show.  Kevin also plays for Southern Express, and is a constant promoter for everyone musical.  Offstage, Kevin loves to fly remote control airplanes, go camping, oogling old cars, and jammin’ with his grandkids.

Deb, our dancing lead/background vocalist and band secretary has an infectious smile and her vocals fly.  If she wasn’t playing on stage, she’d be out on the dance floor with our sound technician (who also happens to be her husband) Earl!  Since picking up the guitar again in 2005, mostly all her hobbies revolve around music in some way.  Outside of the band, Deb also performs solo/duo acoustic shows.  She occasionally teaches beginner guitar, likes to go camping, and loves to cook with her grand-kids.

“Captain” Kirk, our amazing lead guitar player and lead/background vocalist, plays everything from classic country to heavy metal and makes it sound sincere.  He’s been playing since he was 19 years old, even touring the country full time until taking some time off to raise his two beautiful daughters.  Kirk also plays for Southern Express.  Off stage, Kirk enjoys hunting, finding cheap guitars and re-vamping them into great sounding guitars, and watching old movies with his dog, Odin.

“Danimal” is as much like Animal (from the Muppets) as you can imagine–You have to come see it for yourself!  Great drummer with amazing timing.  We’ve asked him to stay.  Please welcome Dan to the Shotgun Drama Junkies!

♫ Earl ♫ …Huh?…What?

Earl, our talented sound technician.  While he may look like he’s playing games on his iPad, he’s really working all night long making us sound our best.  This guy gets constant compliments on his mix which makes vocals the star, as well as banishing mud by bringing out each individual instrument.  He’s got the gear to run anything from a solo/duo acoustic show to a full on street dance.  Earl is married to our lead singer, Deb, and between the two they have a 5 piece “Brady Bunch” with three grandchildren .  He’s a business owner and carpenter who enjoys specializing in the head-scratching, complicated stuff.  If his mouth is moving, you can pretty much bet, he’s joking!  You may catch him swinging Deb out on the dance floor for a two-step or waltz, or he may just break into a spontaneous jig on his own!  He likes playing the daily Isaac Asimov’s Super Quiz.

Kevin and Kirk met 7 years ago while playing for the Country Crossing band.  Deb filled in for Country Crossing’s lead singer a couple of times since 2012, and was invited to join the band full time in 2014.  In 2016 Kevin, Kirk and Deb started the Shotgun Drama Junkies, taking the band from doing mostly country to an almost 50/50 mix of rock and country.  Joe, formerly part of a trio with Kirk in the early 2000’s called Fade to Grey, was invited to join the SDJ band full time in 2017, but had to leave due to being diagnosed with leukemia.  Dan had worked with Joe in their church worship team, and Joe recommended him as a backup while he was focusing on his health.  Joe lost his battle in January of 2020 (rest in peace, Joe), and Dan was brought on permanently.  Earl, Deb’s husband, provides sound and lighting for the band.  With diverse musical interests, the Shotgun Drama Junkies are always spicing up the play list with different songs…even adding an occasional original.

The Shotgun Drama Junkies name originated from a suggestion by Kirk (isn’t life always full of drama?).  The band wanted to keep it short and just use Drama Junkies, but that was already taken so they added “Shotgun” to differentiate.  With a history of experience dating back 40+ years, these musicians have played everything from fairs and festivals including Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest, street dances, and nightclubs, to corporate and private parties and weddings.  Let the party begin!