The member of Soul Express are all veteran entertainers with years of performing experience in the Dayton, Ohio, area and beyond:

Chris Demmons (lead vocal and keyboards) has performed with soul, R&B and blues bands for years. In the great soul tradition, Demmon is steeped in the music of the church, and is a church organist to this day.
Saxophonist Ken McCall was a professional musician and played in bands in Northern California and Los Angeles for a dozen years before coming home to the Dayton area.
LaVon "J.R." Ferguson was the founding lead guitarist for the popular Dayton rock group The Time Machine and has played with a variety of successful bands.
Anchoring The Soul Express are two other veterans of the local music scene: Tom Beyerlein (lead vocal and bass) and drummer Dave McAfee, who, as a member of the 1960s Dayton soul band The Royals, played these now-classic tunes when they were first racing up the charts.
Whether it's aprivate party, a wedding, a club date or a civic event, Soul Express is the perfect band for any occasion.

"Soul Express is one of the best bands for dancing on the local circuit!" --Jim Nichols, Dayton Daily News
"Music that is fun, entertaining and uplifting!" --Ron Gable, Dayton Impact Weekly
"The dance floor is in constant motion when these guys get their groove on!" --Don Henke, Dayton Daily News

Dayton-based band, Touch, is a five-member "old school" rhythm and blues group featuring Floyd Weatherspoon, Arthur "Hakim" Stokes, Jerome Johnson, Xonerale Freeman and Jonathan Rice.

Their shows take audience back to the 60s and 70s, delivering songs made popular by the Temptations, the Stylistics, and the Delfonics. Accompanied by their backup band, the Touchups, they've opened for such acts as the Whispers, the Manhattans, and the Floaters.

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The four Mints was formed by James Brown and Aaron Sledge. The group consists of people who were former members of other popular groups in the city. The Four Mints began building an act that eventually would take them across the country and Canada, too. They moved from pop to soul to comedy with such ease that audiences all over the nation took notice. With four lead vocalists and three musicians, they cover a wide range of songs in their repertoire. They remain one of the few groups that has maintained their style and music, which today is referred to as "The Oldies".

After several years of performing in nightclubs, concert halls, and hotels, they have become known as a "truly entertaining act". As a result, the group is often called upon to perform at a variety of special events. Today, the members consist of singers James Brown, James Rafford, Rema McCarroll, Willie Tatum and musicians Aaron Sledge (bass keys), Jerome Brazell (guitar) and Chris King (drums). Once you have spent an evening with the Four Mints, you will leave with new friends!

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Shaun Booker

I've been buying "records" for a long time.  I have ZERO musical ability myself, but I enjoy listening.  But it seems as if every time I buy a record (or tape, or CD), I feel a bit of disappointment.  That disappointment lingers for a while until I gain familiarity with the music, the songs, the style.  I'm wise enough now that I never allow myself to feel any disappointment with a CD when I first play it--I just say, "Give it time, D. just give it time."
That's what was so amazing about yours. You grabbed me from the first part of the very first song and I was hooked.  I needed to give it about 30 seconds to hook me.
Your voice is terrific, the band and overall sound quality were superb.
I reviewed another CD for the CBA and at first I would have guessed that I'd prefer it to "Live at Last."  It had some old blues tunes on it and a couple of gospel numbers.  The guy was good--I really liked this gospel songs--but overall it didn't grab me the way your CD did.
I think now that I should have used the word "compelling" in my review because I think your CD says, "Hey, you!
Listen to me!  I'm good... real good!"  It was very compelling.  

Review by D. Hoffman

To simply put it best is when you hear this band for the very first time, you will be very astonished at the amazing talent they so gallantly possess. They are a total package of accomplished musicians, with superb vocals and great harmonies. This six-piece band comes complete with a horn section, and they will make you want to dance from their very first song. These skillful artists will touch the heart and soul of everyone who is in the listening audience, and they will mesmerize you with high quality showmanship and professionalism.

Dean Simms & The Funky Gurus is available for any type of occasion. Whether is a nightclud, concert, wedding, dance, cruise ship, or whatever event you have planned, it will always be the right choice when you book this fabulous band!

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L.Y.D. is a husband and wife team of Lamar and Yolanda Drake. This duo brings a special blend and a unique sound of music. Yolanda's silky smooth voice and Lamar's hearty warming style of writing creates a team that is making their mark in the music industry. Their debut CD, "The Beginning", was released in the spring of 2001. This positive and spirtual CD captures the sacredness of human life that so many of us seem to forget.

Lamar O. Drake, a self-taught musician who started out on drums, switched to keyboards to express himself as a writer. Since the transition, Lamar has written several commercials. His Cadillac and Oldsmobile commercials received TV and radio airplay. Lamar has produced and arranged two remakes for the group NVII. They are Just My Imagination by the Temptations and Home form the Broadway award winning play The Wiz. He has several compositions on file with ASCAP. He has shared the stage with Tony Terry, War, Monica, Lisa Lisa, Terrance Trent, Alyson Williams, Faith Evans, Raw Stillo, Kim Waters and Pieces Of A Dream. His goal is to write and produce for other national acts and to have his music heard throughout the world.

The Jimmy McGee Band

Jimmy McGee is a POWER BALL of soul. His voice comes through with that spiritual sound of the church. Utopian song writing skills coupled with a vocal style steeped in the blues and gospel music gives you the feeling that this artist is the essence of what he’s singing.

Grammy award winning reggae artist Don Carlos of the Black Uhuru recently sought Jimmy’s lead guitar skills for a mid-west tour. Jimmy has gotten to know many internationally acclaimed musicians such as Miles Davis’ former bassist Foley, Frankie J. Thompson of the Barkays & Cameo, and Dean Francis, leader of the world renowned band Sun. Francis selected McGee to make an appearance on his project entitled, You Gotta to Know in 1995. The project was released worldwide on Soulciety records.

Jimmy recorded and released the project Straight from the Soul for Jamalaya Records in 1998. This spirited compilation included a list of dance music and love songs showcasing McGee’s range as a recording artist.

Jimmy has worked with numerous regional bands in addition to founding the Jimmy McGee Band. Shakerman was formulated with McGee as a lead vocalist in 1997. The Ark Band, a renowned mid-western reggae band secured Jimmy in 1996 for their regional tour. His voice has also been used in the radio and television industry.

When Jimmy straps on his guitar, steps to the microphone and delivers his brand of Urban-Pop-Rock-n-Soul music you will be moved to dance, sing, and applaud this multi-faceted musician.

Musical diversity, love, and experience are evident in this mega-talent’s repertoire that spans a broad age group and listening taste, rendering each one with his signature style. Prepare to be emotionally exercised by this renaissance artist as you’re taken on a musical journey through his playlist of Sly and the Family Stone, Prince, Al Green, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Womack, the Isley Brothers, and his original works. All songs are covered with much respect for the structure and form of the original versions.

Jimmy’s passion for rock and roll, soul, and just overall good music is something that he wishes to share with generations to come.

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