Gary grew up on Long Island, New York with the music of teenage
idols Ricky Nelson, Bobby Rydell, and Brian Hyland and the surf
sounds of the Beach Boys.Then the exciting times of the British
invasion lead by the Beatles. He loves to sing and sings all kinds
of music from crooners like Neil Diamond, Jimmy Buffett and Roy
Orbison to the Kinks, Stones, Beatles and The Who. He was thrilled
to join the Beltway Rockers five years ago to sing with this
energizing group, laying out classic rock tunes with just the right
blend of "get up and dance " songs and classic "man this is a great
song!" rockers.When you come to a Beltway Rockers show you leave
singing the songs and talking about coming back again.
Tim
Tim has spent much of his life overseas exposed to various musical
cultures originating in Europe and North Africa. As a result, he
enjoys a wide variety of performers ranging from Peter Gabriel and
Jimmy Page to Johann Sebastian Bach and Andres Segovia, and their
influences are evident in some of his playing. Over the years he has
played sax, piano, harp and his first love, guitar, in a variety of
bands and musical groups. Today, Tim is still searching for the
perfect funk riff, the perfect lead break, and the perfect ending.
Charlie
Charlie Olson's musical career began with cello lessons in Grade 3.
Picking up acoustic and electric bass skills along the way, Charlie
has played in ensembles big (symphony orchestras, big bands,
acapella choirs) and small (polka bands, small jazz groups).
Highlights include performing in a bluegrass band on A Prairie Home
Companion and watching King Haakon of Norway fall asleep from the
cello section of the St. Olaf College Orchestra in Orchestra Hall in
Minneapolis.
Mark
Mark is the native Beltway Rocker of the band, having grown up in
Northern Virginia. Mark has been playing piano since he was seven,
and was inspired as a teenager by such artists as Rick Wakeman,
Keith Emerson, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Progressive rock and
fusion jazz still a big influence on his playing, and explain the
collection of keyboards he uses at a show. Mark enjoys creating a
backdrop for the sound of the band and enjoys creating as broad a
sound palate as possible for the band's songs. That, and getting
people up and dancing!
Pete
Pete has played drums in many bands since the 80's, opening up for
acts such as The Cranberries, and Marilyn Mansion. His formative
years included heavy doses of classic rock and credits bands like
Lep Zeppelin, Rush, Kansas, Bad Co., Beatles, etc. for his rich
musical heritage.
