Dick SheltonDick 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.
The SheepDip Project 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 fun electronic
musical stuff.
Scott WinchesterA founding member of the band,
Scott is now taking a break from the band due to his travel from Maine to the band house taking it's toll.
Of course he still sits in when he's in town.
Scott 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. If anyone can
convince him to move closer we’d appreciate it.
Dana WinchesterDana 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 SmithKen would be familar 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 ConnorsJim 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 HansenRon, 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 PineaultPete 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.
Don LaunderDon played in
The Coconuts with Ken for many years. He's a talented bass player and we're lucky to have him sit in for a handful of songs at our gigs. He wants his own full time band to play with, but we like him just where he is. Don provides encouragement, coaching, constructive criticism (offered gently), and handles sound set up at our gigs. He's an avid cyclist. We don't let him wear shiny bicycle shorts during practice.
Craig BrownCraig has played in bands with Pete for many years.
He's another local talent that got sucked into The SheepDip Project's sphere of influence and has found a home with the band. He has a soft touch on drums that is well suited for jazz and latin rythyms, but he's happy to help us out with our rock n' roll standards. Watch him play, he's always smiling.
Sandra WinchesterSandy joins in on a few tunes because she has those oh-so-sweet sister vocals.
John GaudetteJohn has played piano since he was 5, having a love for all musical styles but grew up on classic rock and pop!
He had to overcome severe stage fright that he has had since he started to play piano; as a matter of fact just a handful of people had seen him play up until the age
of 38. At age 40, John joined his first working band called
The Stoneblue Band and was a member with them for 6 years. After that, John joined
Smokehouse Lightning which
he had the pleasure for opening for a few national acts like
Lynyrd Skynyrd,
Chris Duarte Group, and
The Chris Beard Band to name a few. John now feels that
he has found his home at the Spillmore being a part of
The SheepDip Project