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Gary Cooper Baker
is a native of Fauquier County, Virginia. Gary Baker's rich voice, tremendous
range and imposing presence on stage makes him the ultimate "front
man." His singing roots can be traced to Gospel songs from church and performing
at weddings early in his career. Gary has sung professionally at the
Marriott, the Hyatt and has had singing engagements as far south as the Nags
Head, N.C.; has appeared at Whitlow's on Wilson, in Arlington and even shared
the stage with Washington's own queen of soul - Mary Ann Redmond. When not
singing with Southern Xcess, Gary
is an avid hunter and sportsman. During deer season, don't look for Gary
- he'll be out in the woods in a tree stand.
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Joe Kelly grew up in Northern New Jersey in a fine Irish
Catholic household, the eldest of 4 children born to a proud set of parents
from New York. Music was always popular around the house with his Mom
big into jazz and pop music (eg. Jimmy Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, et al), and
his Dad heavy into Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and any kind of sing-along
party tune. Joe started playing guitar and keyboards at about age
6. He began playing the church organ while in the 5th grade, and after
moving to Virginia
at age 14, he was playing for regular Church services, and earning money
playing organ for wedding ceremonies. In contrast, '70's vintage
Classic and Southern rock, Motown and oldies Rock & Roll music became big
influences, particularly while attending the University
of Virginia between
1976-1980. Joe played keyboards with the local Washington
D.C. based rock/blues group
"Trauma' in the early '90's. While posted abroad in Rome,
Italy with the U.S.
Department of State, he co-founded a group known as "The Unknown
Band" - a mélange of fellow diplomats with widely diverse tastes in
music. Between 1994-1997, this group and its music quickly became a
welcome addition to the American Embassy Rome
and local community entertainment scene. Following his return to the Washington
area ca 2000, Joe joined forces with the local Washington
D.C. based Classic/Southern Rock
group "Burning Daylight" as the band's new keyboard player.
This group later evolved into what is now known as "Southern
Xcess," with Joe continuing to add that extra depth of sound
with the keyboards. When not jamming with the band, Joe enjoys spending
his time with his wife Carole Ann and their son Daniel. They currently
reside in Chantilly, VA.
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John is a
"Euro" drummer, and former rock fighter. He was raised on the
European Continent and member of several touring bands in Germany,
Netherlands, Norway,
Belgium, Dutchy of Grand Fenwick and the United
Kingdom. John is fluent in seven languages
including English...we think. He plays Ludwig and Pearl
equipment and Zildjian cymbals.
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R.J. is
one of the great young talents to come around in a long time. He is the most flexible
bass player you'll find. From Southern Rock to Heavy Metal, RJ can do it all.
In addition to laying down the heavy "bottom end" of Southern Xcess,
RJ is a founding member of the local Metal band favorite -
"Dessimated." RJ has played professionally from Maryland
and Virginia to the Carolinas.
When not playing music, RJ is an avid Civil War History expert and favors the
writings of Bruce Catton, Douglas Southall Freeman and Shelby Foote. In
addition, RJ is a "living history" person of the past; playing the
role of a Confederate Soldier. RJ has done living history from Gettysburg
to New Market.
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Lead
guitarist, and a founding SXC member, Bobby Gibson, is a life long Fauquier
County Virginia
resident who has been playing guitar since he was six years old. He’s been
playing with local bands in the Metro area since the 70s. Bobby grew up
listening to all kinds of music ranging from bluegrass to R& B and all
points in between. Bobby’s dad was a musician too and whenever Bobby could
“guilt “ him into it, he’d tag along to his dad’s gigs and dream of the day
when he could be in a band too…which didn’t take long. Bobby’s first gig was
playing at his Sunday School’s Halloween party in 1967. Five guys playing
cheap electric guitars ("I think we were all plugged into the same amp
somehow!") playing Beatles and Monkees tunes. Bobby’s playing is heavily
influenced by great country pickers like Don Rich, Luther Perkins, Scotty
Moore, Steve Wariner and Ricky Skaggs, and guitar greats like Dickie Betts,
Allan Collins, Ed King, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Bobby’s favorite
ax is a 52 Telecaster reissue(well…kinda) that he put together himself from
parts of various guitars he’s owned over the years. “It smells like a Honky
Tonk and looks like it’s worn out but it can be velvet smooth like B.B. King
or scream like Eddie Van Halen!” Bobby doesn’t remember actually being paid
for that first gig back in 67….other than getting a kiss from one of the
prettiest girls at the party because she thought he was cool because he was a
musician……hmmmm….some things never change.
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Synth guitar,
lead/slide guitar, harp, steel, vocals: Let's see...
I've known me as long as I can remember... I started playing guitar in
1966... I had "formal" guitar training... I picked up everything
else... and if you ask any more questions I'll bring the fiddle! (Not the
fiddle!)...
I have played in Shades of Darkness, Gashouse Dirty, The Gashouse Dirty Band, Black
Horse, Gashouse, Nasty Habits, JBW, Crossroader, and Sleepless nights. If I
have offended anyone by omitting them... get over it... I'm having a senior
moment.
I use Fender, Paul Reed Smith, Epiphone, Ovation, Gibson, Johnson, Kingston,
Dwight, Line6 Variax, National guitars and
steels; Roland GR-30 synth; Furman, AKG, Digitech, Danelectro, Visual Volume, Morley, Sony, and Mesa-Boogie signal
processing; NGM Pedal Systems
pedalboards; Hohner, Lee Oskar harmonicas
and Shure microphones; Line6, and Fender
amplification, Electro-Voice
microphones, and Whirlwind direct
boxes; and Anvil, Keal,
& SKB Cases and Tuki Covers.
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