Elephants Gerald, now called The Elephants, was formed in 2000 by two Waco musicians, Steve Hart and Eric Zadnik, who had a vision of a single band that could perform any kind of music, from Rock to R&B, Funk, Soul, Pop, Blues and Swing.  One band playing so many styles of music? Why, for such a band to exist, they would have to recruit the finest musicians in the world!  Everyone said it was impossible.  Friends and family laughed at them.  They were ridiculed and sometimes even beaten!  But they would never let the non-believers destroy the dream.  The result is an incredibly versatile band with a four-piece horn section that can play any kind of music for any kind of event.  Who's laughing now?

 
Corner row, left to right:  Charles Burleson, Greg Bashara, Byron Swann, Eric Zadnik, Tim Cates, Dave Wild, Tram Kelly, Pat McKee.  Front right:  Amy Williams, Buddy Luedeker

Charles "Chainsaw" Burleson, Drums, Lead Vocals, Backup Vocals
You wanted the best and you got the best - the hottest drummer in the world......Chainsaw !  Besides providing the driving beat behind this herd, Charles has the vocal range needed to perform tunes by James Brown, Earth Wind & Fire and Tower of Power.  Chainsaw has toured all over the world as drummer for Elvis Costello and speaks 7 different languages fluently.   charles@elephantsband.com

Buddy "The Bud Man" Luedeker, Lead Vocals, Backup Vocals, Guitar
As front man for the group, Buddy's versatile vocals cover a wide range of styles from Kool & The Gang to Van Morrison to Confunkshun to James Taylor.  His exhilarating stage presence captivates an audience and pulls them into the herd!  Buddy is also internationally-known as a connoisseur of fine chocolates, pastries and rums and is always willing to sample and give his professional opinion.  buddy@elephantsband.com

Amy Williams, Lead Vocals, Backup Vocals
Amy's strong soulful voice is a blend of Norah Jones and Aretha Franklin with a bit of Pat Benetar thrown in to complete the mix.  From soul-stirring ballads to upbeat rock, soul and funk, Amy delivers awesome vocals in any style of music.  Watch for Amy's new book, to be released early next
year, "Who Killed Kennedy: The Grassy Knoll People Exposed."  amy@elephantsband.com

Dave "The Wild Man" Wild, Piano, Keyboards
After traveling the world as a CIA agent, astronaut and International Man of Mystery, Dave joined Elephants to showcase his wide array of talents as performer, songwriter, arranger and ninja.  Dave is the master of jazz piano and keyboards and is considered by many in the industry to be an authority on jazz musician John Coltrane. 
Visit Dave's site at:  www.wildmusic-jazz.com

Trammell "Funky Tram" Kelly, Bass Guitar
Recently chosen as one of the "Richest Men in America" by Forbes Magazine, Tram is the hard-drivin' funkmaster of The Elephants!  He's just as funky as you wanna be!  Whether it's poppin' and slappin' for the soul, funk and rock tunes or smooth and easy for the ballads, Tram's gonna raise up and get his groove on!
Visit Tram's site at:  www.trammellkellybassplayer.com

Pat "Fender Bender" McKee, Lead Guitar, Vocals
Stevie Ray, Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Robert Cray all rolled into one guitar virtuoso!  Pat plays it all - the screaming leads of Santana, the moaning bends of Robert Cray, the chunky rhythms of Earth Wind & Fire.  His new solo album, "Who's Your Daddy?" has just reached platinum status on the European music charts.

Eric "Mac" Zadnik, Saxophones, Flute, Vocals
MacZadnik began his musical career at the age of 8, when his "Uncle Louie" gave him his first saxophone (after killing the previous owner and dumping his body into the river).  As a baritone sax guru, he provides the "bottom end" of the horn section, giving Elephants that Tower of Power-esque sound.  Eric's talents continue with flute and show-stopping vocals with styles ranging from Lyle Lovett to Bobby Darrin to Huey Lewis.
 
Greg "Cool Breeze" Bashara, Saxophones, Flute
Greg is easily one of the finest sax players in the world today and currently plays alto, tenor and soprano with the Elephants as well as flute.  His smooth and sexy tenor solos have been known to make beautiful women faint.  It's great to have Greg back after a world concert tour with the legendary 70's rock band, KISS.  greg@elephantsband.com

Tim "Dizzy" Cates, Lead Trumpet, Flugelhorn
As the song says, "Oz never did give nothin to the Tim-Man that he didn't, didn't already have".  Tim's got the chops to blast out the high notes that most trumpet players only dream about.  He is also the best-selling author of four children's books and is currently working on a new children's book project with Madonna as well as a new legal thriller with John Grisham.  Visit Tim's site at:  www.timcatesmusic.com

Byron "The Swannmeister" Swann, Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Byron is an active performer in the Waco area where he performs regularly with a variety of ensembles including the Waco Jazz Orchestra, Temple Jazz Orchestra and the Swann Jazz Quartet.  He has served as Band Director at Carver Academy since the late 1900's and is currently planning his third trip to the Himalayas to lead a team of musicians to the summit of Mt. Everest for the first annual Byron Swann Himalayan Summer Jam.  Tickets are available at all Ticketron outlets.