The Flock



	*Dick Shelton* has a lifetime of experience playing in bands and was the original driving force in getting us to play together and eventually to plug in and play electric music. Dick is our alpha blazing lead guitar player but can play any instrument and usually does it too loud. SheepDip would have never happened without Dick’s guidance, encouragement, and huge heart. His enthusiasm never wavers and we love that about him. And, he has all the stuff.
	*Scott Winchester* took accordion lessons from age 8 to age 13. Do you have any idea how uncool it is be playing accordion when you’re 13 years old in 1969? The accordion went into storage and Scott embraced the piano as his instrument, penning ditties and bluesy tunes through his teen years. When the campfire singing started, Scott dusted off the accordion cuz you just can’t drag a piano to the beach. Now that we’re a real band he also adds that great Hammond B3 sound. Scott drives down from his home in Maine to play in the band. If anyone can convince him to move closer we’d appreciate it.
	*Dana Winchester* had been basically strumming an acoustic guitar for 20 years until Dick made him plug in. Afflicted with intense stage fright, Dana never wanted to venture very far from the campfire. Now just try to shut him up. Dana does a lot of singing mostly because he’s the one who remembers the words. Dana still loves his acoustic music and you can find him playing open mics in the area.
	*Ken Smith* would be familiar to anyone who may have been hanging around the Franklin Pierce college pub in late 80’s. Ken’s band, The Coconuts, was the house band at the pub and has played throughout the region. He has also played with Spectrotones and Squid, playing bars and clubs throughout NY, NJ, MA, CT and NH. Ken was looking for other local blokes to play with a few years ago and to our great fortune our bass player introduced him to us. Ken added a perfect touch of sophistication, enthusiasm, and insanity to the band and he brings a strong rock & roll voice to our sound. I think we can officially drop the “new guy” label.
	*Jim Connors* has one of those minds that remembers details that nobody really needs to know. Combine that with his love of music and he fills the role of resident music encyclopedia. If you need to know the words to any popular song in the last 40 years, just ask Jim. Jim used to play an acoustic bass (you know, the ones you can’t hear) beside the campfires, now he roams the neck of his Fender bass with the band. He’s also a talented chef. Sometimes he brings yummy things to eat.
	*Ron Hansen*, the Velvet Hammer, Bam-Bam. What can we say about Ron? He started bongo-ing on a cooler top at the campfires, then as soon as we moved indoors and plugged in Ron quickly bought two drum sets, bongos, cowbells, noise makers, knockers, and all manner of percussive detritus. A true tradesman, Ron loves drums because "there’s lots of parts to assemble". If you’ve seen Ron at his drum set on a hot August night, you know why he is considered the sex symbol of the band. At our gigs you’ll find him playing bongos and other percussion.
	*Pete Pineau* also has many years experience playing in various local bands. He has serious guitar chops and plays guitar in his own local band, Buster’s Gang. Pete is one of those musical savants who plays everything well, but his first instrument in life was drums. He’s happy to sit in as our drummer and we are thrilled to have him, not only for his touch at the drums, but for his musical knowledge. He often tells us what chord comes next, and thankfully puts up with our cigar smoke.
Thanks to other friends for their occasional help… Sandra Winchester – sweet sister vocals. Don Launder – bass, sound set up at gigs, encouragement. Don is the bass player for the Coconuts. The band also appreciates the help and support of our spouses, families, and friends, especially to the summer residents of Pine Eden Association who tolerate the noise we make on Friday nights at the Spillmore!