The Musicians

The Bill Derry Band and the Taste of the Nation, July, 2008
From left: Jim Freeman, Susan Moore, Bill Derry, Carl Lovgren (hidden behind the drums) Carlos Herrera, Melany Vorass

Bill Derry, guitar, vocals
Bill brought the musicians together.  Bill has been a musician since he formed his first band in the 1960s.  In junior high, Bill followed his passion for music, started his first band and performed for the 9th grade graduation party with just himself and a drummer, Gary Jarr.   The next year Bill and Gary added other musicans and became the Escorts.  The Escorts played high school and college dances throughout the northwest including the lodge at the top of the chairlift at Snoqualmie Pass.  They placed second in the battle of the bands at the Teen Fair at Seattle Center.  The band lasted into the college years when the members scatterec to other locations for college and careers.  Bill also played in a competitive high school jazz band and went on to audition for and sing in the University of Watshington Chorale.

In 1998, Bill sat-in with another band for a concert and got hooked again.  He started a classic rock band (BD & the Rockits) which performed in the Northwest from 2003 to 2007 at festivals, clubs and private events.

In his other job, Bill works as a consultant at CH2MHILL to manage and protect water resources.  Bill is a member of the Board of Directors for People for Puget Sound.

Susan Moore, guitar, bass, vocals: Susan is a singer/songwriter / guitarist who plays with SteepleChase (www.steeplechasemusic.com)  and also enjoys performing with various other friends.  She started playing out in college with a cover band that performed in NYC, Philly, and the beaches of NJ and DE (well, she really started playing the trumpet in the 4th grade).  She loves listening to and playing folk, jazz, rock, and bluegrass!  She is an enironmental consultant by day. 

Jim Freeman, bass, guitar and vocals
Jim plays guitar, sings and writes his own music.  Jim is a full-time professional musician and a trained recording engineer.  Jim currently has several music project including "63 Burnot" an instrumental surf band and promotion of a cd of Christmas music for which he served as producer, arranger and performer.                                          

John Hribernic, guitar, and Carl Lovgren drums, congas and vocals

John (left above) is an acoustic - electric guitarist and singer-song writer with extensive live performance experience from clubs to auditoriums.  John played professionaly for 6 years, fronting the power-pop group " The Element" and has been an active solo acoustic performer since 2000.  John met drummer Carl (right above) in 2004 and formed the rock band "Sock Monkey" which performed several shows including the Main satege at Edmonds Waterfront Festival in 2005.  John and Carl went on to form an acoustic duo with Carl playing congas and singing harmony vocals.  The two have recently played under the name "Those Guys".  When performing with Bill Derry, Carl will play congas or a drum kit and John plays electric or acoustic guitar as appropriate for the event and both sing.

Carlos Herrera, congas and harmonica and Melany Vorass, accordian and vocals  join us as appropriate.