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Band Biography
Tommy Blake – A longtime veteran of the Wilmington music scene and a student
of the British blues school, Tom cut his musical teeth in Long Island, New York and played the cruise circuit out of
the Port of Miami after college. With
an affinity for vintage guitars and classic tone, Tom's sound is the calling card for the Stingers. He wrote the title track for the Steppin' Out CD and continues to perform his
originals live on the local club scene, constantly revamping his repertoire and his ever-broadening blues horizons. In perhaps his greatest musical accomplishment to date, Tom has recorded one of his
original tunes with Bob Margolin (of Muddy Waters fame) on guitar and backing vocals for Steppin' Out.
Nel Nichols – After 15 years in the New York City music scene as both
performer and studio business manager, Nel returned home to Wilmington where she lives, works and triples as a session player,
live performer and a highly respected harmonica teacher. She mentored under world-renown classical harmonica virtuoso Robert
Bonfiglio, managed Chelsea Sound Studios, taught music at the NYC Turtle Bay School, and conducted & arranged for the
one-and-only NYC Harmonica Ensemble until moving back to North Carolina in 1993. Since then, she has appeared on a variety
of benchmark regional recordings, played with a plethora of local acts and has sat-in with such musical greats
as Chicago harp legend Carey Bell, and blues guitarists Deborah Coleman, Bobby Parker, Cleveland Fats and Armand Lenchek.
She continues to expand her musical talent, taking up accordion & keyboards, offering private harmonica instruction and
contributing to production and session work with many local artists.
Lan Nichols – Since his arrival on the Port City music scene, few bassists
have amassed such an eclectic and varied musical palette as Lan. From blues to latin, rock ‘n roll, R&B, bluegrass,
Celtic and a side-order of jazz thrown in for good measure, he’s one of Wilmington’s most sought-after
bass players. His upbringing, just outside of Chicago, Illinois, was musically framed by a classically-trained pianist
(his mother) and a professional drummer (his father). As a youngster he played snare drum, bugle and, while eyeing the trumpet,
caught the bass bug when he was 15 years old. It’s been non-stop ever since
and Lan has no intention of slowing down soon. One of his original
compositions, "Dock Street Shuffle", appears on the Steppin' Out CD.
Our Drummers: Kudos to David Toma,
masterful drummer for the Stingers and a former resident of Charleston SC. We've also been very fortunate to have shared
the stage with numerous local purveyors of percussion. Why so many? Well, when their this damn good,
how can you help it? Among them are music professionals like Troy Allen, Richard Barber, Rich Laverdure, Marion
Eason, Tony Mallard, Mike Fowler, Ray Hawke, Frank Jernigan, Wes Lambert, Eddie Todd, Ned Lavengood, Brian Miller, Jay Niver,
Tom Parker, Artie Quaranta, & Dave Summerlin (Yes, we know - it's starting to look like Spinal Tap all over
again.)
Blow baby, blow!: Only the best for us. George
Tucci has been blowin' some mean licks with us during the last year, mixing elements of jazz, swing, and jump blues.
And we can't forget good friends like Dean Brennan and Freddy Voorhees for being a part
of the Stinger stage. Thanks also goes to Bob Kurowski for his talent and services on our bandstand.
Other Musicians: We've also been privledged to have
the help of some true friends when we needed them the most. Mark Weathers, Mike Skipper and
Gary Allen have sat-in on guitar, Arthur "KB" Brown has laid down some bad-to-the-bone grooves in
bass clef, and Ron Spruill has added some fine blues harp. Many thanks to each of them for their professionalism
and talent.
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