MAD DOGS & AMERICANS BIO’S
Kevin Silva – Keyboards; Guitar; Vocals
Kevin has played professionally for the last 35 years. He spent the ‘80’s,
and parts of the 90’s in the high-energy club act, “Stalker”. They opened shows for most of the popular “hair bands” of the day. An avid songwriter; Kevin fronted the original band Rock Soup and is currently recording their second CD on the Indie 500 label.
Jay Young – Sax, Congas
At home in a broad range of styles, Jay is an active performer,
playing throughout the United States and the World. He has
played saxophones/Woodwinds in the “Bob and Tom Band”
(from the nationally syndicated radio show) since 1989,and
has toured/performed with some of the most recognizable -.
names in the music business including: Ray Charles, Aretha
Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Johnny Mathis, The
Manhattan Transfer, Three Dog Night, Sha Na Na, Lou Rawls,
Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves and the Vadellas, The Spinners,
Marie Osmond, sandi Patti, Frankie Valli, Bobby Vinton, Duke
Tumatoe, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Harry James
Orchestra, The Buselli -Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, The Jimmy
Dorsey Orchestra, Guy Lombardo’s Royal canadians, Steve
Allee, various “Broadway” musicals, numerous recordings and
Radio/Television commercials •••••the list goes on and on. Mr.
Young is an Artist/Clinician for Selmer musical instruments.
Kayleigh Dinwiddie – Vocals
Kayleigh, singing and performing since grade school, She was voted best female vocalist all throughout high school, capping off her senior year winning the “National High School Show Choir ” in New York city. She was chosen to accept the award! Kayleigh has recorded with Kenny Aronoff and Dane Clark, both John Mellencamp alums. She has “fronted” several Indianapolis bands,and has been singing back-up with several others. Kayleigh has tone and wide range. Though the youngest member, she melded perfectly with this act and loves performing Cocker songs. Kayleigh brings an energy and presence all her own to the stage that you will enjoy!
John Dinwiddie – Lead Guitar, Vocals
John is an eclectic player having many different musical influences. He has been playing since he was 9 years old. His first guitar teacher was a Chet Atkins player who introduced him to the Chet finger style. John, saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and that was it. Rock And Roll became his passion. His biggest influence was a local guitarist, Mark Moran. Mark’s meticulous and melodic approach to guitar is the foundation of the player that he is today. John played full time in the late 70’s through 85 in various road bands. He came in off the road and taught lessons in Indianapolis while playing part time with various local bands. His initial influences were blues rock players. Jimmy Page, and Alvin Lee were favorites. John prefers Fender guitars because of their persuasiveness and translucent tones. He plays through a Mesa Boogie Mark IV Amplifier.
Greg Bond – Drums; Percussion, Vocals
Hailing from Indianapolis, drummer and vocalist, Greg Bond began his
career in music in 1975, performing in a variety of original and
cover bands in the nightclub scene there. In 1983, he quit his day
job and began playing full time, touring the mid west in pop cover
bands, performing in a variety of night clubs and hotels. Eventually
picked up by a band out of Kansas City, Greg toured across the
continental United States playing as much as six nights a week.
One highlight from this mid eighties period was being chosen to
perform at military bases across the Caribbean Sea for the Department of Defense. This USO style show took him to Bermuda, Puerto Rico,
Cuba, Honduras, and finally Panama. More recently he led local band Stone10 through a variety of venues on Indy’s south side. A member of Rock Soup, along with singer, songwriter, Kevin Silva, they both proudly share their time with Alan Kaye And The Toons.
George Bower – Bass, Vocals
As a bassist, George strives to solidify the foundation of the band.
Playing the right note at the right time and leaving the right amount
of space to form the pocket “to die for” is what he is all about.
George wants to make the audience feel what he is feeling.
His early years on bass, were influenced by a number of players, Bands,and musical genre including Rock, Progressive Rock, Funk, Blues, and Jazz. Those influences continue today. However, tempered by his desire to form a sound and feel that is “His” and at the same time one with the band.
John Garret – Trombone
John also plays trombone in The Bob and Tom Band. When he is not touring, John scores and produces music for HBO, ABC, NBC, Cinemax, Discovery, A&E, CNN, Ford, McDonalds, 7-Up, and for many artists such as John Mellencamp, Alan Jackson, Amy Grant, Toby Keith, etc. In addition, John has served as Music Director and Arranger for many national conventions and TV shows. John has also won numerous national and international awards for his work including two Emmys, a Clio, a Telly, and an Addy. John’s bone talents draw crowds, especially of the female variety, to our shows.
Gary Graziano – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Gary has performed with such acts as LynardSkynard, Aretha Franklin, Maureen McGovern, Frankie Valley, Ben Vareen,Johnny Mathis, The 5th Dimension, The Temptations, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Marie Osmond, Fred Travolino, The Supremes, The Four Tops, and Charo. Gary has studied music at Indiana University and Butler University as well as receiving a bachelor’s degree from University of Louisville. Besides touring, Gary maintains a large teaching studio of private trumpet students. Gary’s trumpet playing is the energy behind the
horn section.