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Meet the band
Tricia Ann- Lead Vocals
Tricia Ann was born and raised in Maggie Valley, NC, and started her musical journey singing in church, karaoke, and participating in open mic nights since age 6. She started singing professionally and participating in music competitions such as NACMAI at age 16. Tricia has had a passion for music from a very young age and today has the drive to share that passion with others. In recent years she began to write and record her own music and picked up the ukulele. Tricia's musical inspirations range from Pam Tillis to Janis Joplin. In 2021, after working with other bands in the area, she founded the Tricia Ann Band.
Brandon Barnes- Drummer
Brandon is a rock drummer originally from Nashville North Carolina. Influenced by drummers such as Danny Carey, Thomas Long, Dave Lombardo, and Carter Beauford. He has been playing drums since age eleven and has been a musician for thirty-three years now. He participated in Jazz band, Concert band, and marching band, winning three state championships with Northern Nash High School. He won first place drummer out of 42 bands in the Greenville Battle of Bands. Brandon played in bands such as Headcase, Get Lit, Moonshine Mule, and Ridgeline. He has also played drums for musical theatres, The Rudy Theatre in Selma NC, and the Mountain House Jubilee in Maggie Valley NC. Brandon now lives in WNC with his wife, two sons, and his little dog Moose.
David Hekking- Lead Guitarist
David Hekking began his musical career as a teenager in Memphis TN. He started performing in Rock venues, Blues clubs on Beale St. and later Classical Guitar for weddings and solo performances. David has played a wide variety of music over the years with many groups including original bands, cover bands and church groups in hundreds of clubs and churches. He has also played many concerts like opening up for groups like The Kentucky Headhunters, John Anderson, Bellamy Brothers, and Afro Man in recent years. A seasoned musical veteran of many styles David is no stranger to musical academia having studied with esteemed Classical teachers like John Stover at Memphis State in the late 80’s. Then with Cuban Mario April in Chattanooga at UTC in the early 90’s. David taught lessons at the respected Howard Vance Guitar Acadamy in Memphis for over 15 years peaking at 70 students per week. In 2011 David moved his family to the beautiful town of Black Mountain,NC and began performing regionally. He was the musical director in the production of Hee Haw in Burnsville NC and others and also plays most Sundays at a local church.
Russ Richey- Bass
Meet Russ, a recent transplant from the enigmatic swamps of Florida, who embarked on a distinguished musical journey at an exceptionally young age, with his first public performances commencing at the age of 9. As he matured, he found himself entwined with several notable bands in the vibrant musical landscape of Southwest FL, where his innate talents garnered significant recognition. Notably, he assumed pivotal roles in original bands such as Shades of Gray and Before the Fire and many of the areas top cover bands.
The achievements of Before the Fire were nothing short of remarkable, as their polyrhythmic melodies found regular airplay on esteemed radio stations, and their reputation led to invitations to perform at numerous events such as the Ink Life Tour, Fort Rock Festival, and other distinguished festivals. In such coveted settings, they shared stages with celebrated acts like Chevelle, Jane's Addiction, Bobaflex, and STP, solidifying their place within the pantheon of revered performers.
Russ's instrumental prowess extended beyond his role as a passionate and energetic performer; he demonstrated exceptional skill as a live session bassist, sharing the stage alongside esteemed artists such as Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and Bobby Kimball of Toto during their performances in Fort Myers, Florida. Such collaborations added further luster to his already luminous musical career.
In addition to his artistic contributions, Russ assumed the role of a proficient tour manager for several esteemed bands, orchestrating successful ventures with iconic southern rock legends like Blackfoot, delving into the realm of blues with Blue Cross (Apocalypse Blues Revival), featuring luminaries like Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin of Godsmack, and presently serving as the adept tour manager for Floyd Nation, Americas Pink Floyd Tribute. His adept organizational skills and astute management acumen have earned him a reputation as a tour-de-force within the industry.
Amidst his whirlwind of musical engagements, Russ finds solace with his wife of many years, unwinding in the tranquility of their mountainside home in Hendersonville, and indulging in his other passions, which encompass immersive scuba diving experiences and honing his acumen in the intricate design of electrical circuits. An enigmatic personality with a keen appreciation for both creativity and precision, Russ also indulges in occasional moments of leisure at KFC, where he seeks inspiration and relaxation, affectionately earning him the endearing title of "Colonel" among his ardent admirers.