Meet the Band

Brandon – Lead Vocals / Guitar

Brandon has been singing all of his life. Whether entertaining family and local county fairs singing The Gambler at 5 years old, or Friends in Low Places now, he’s always enjoyed the applause of the crowd. Growing up in a musical household, Brandon learned early on the power of music. His father played all over California and Nevada with a local country band and his mother had Motown classics cranking out of the car speakers everywhere they went. Brandon grew up playing guitar and singing every chance he got. Throughout school in Napa, CA he was in choirs and his High School choir was one of the best on this side of the Mississippi which gave him the opportunity to tour in North America and Europe. Once out of school, things continued with his 4 piece Acapella group and continued as he 1st played back up and then fronted several local country bands. “Singing is in my blood, and I love to entertain”.

What to expect from Brandon: Brandon is our front man and will engage the audience occasionally with his wireless microphone and has been known to sing from elevated positions, even on top of the bar and go out into the dance floor where he will dance with the crowd or lead a line dance.

Mark – Lead Guitar / Vocals

Mark has been playing country music on stage since he was 16 years old. Since he wasn’t 21 years old, bar owners made him comply to laws by requiring him to remain on the stage all night, Playing with local country music legends who were 3 times his age including playing with Johnny Lee and Glenn Campbell. Over the last few decades of playing guitar he has been in several bands playing everything from rock music in the 80’s to a wedding and dance band playing funk, Motown and Latin. He also worked in many side projects where he composed and performed jazz songs including a performance as the guitar player at the Newport Jazz Festival with the legendary drummer/band leader Mel Brown and bassist Gary Peacock and Saxophonist Renato Caranto.  Mark has a degree in recording arts and in music theory.  Mark has always had a sincere love for country music as as a child and all through high school he was involved in Rodeo and competed with his 3 brothers in High School Rodeo as a Bull Rider and a Team Roper. Raised in a rural, agricultural area in Northern California. His true music will always be Country and he grew up listening to Hank Williams Jr, George Jones, Charlie Daniels Band, Chris LeDoux, George Strait, Merle Haggard and many more.

What to expect from Mark: Mark is a traditional country artist cut from the cloth of a George Strait or Alan Jackson, his smokin’ hot lead guitar solos are pure Nashville and he gives us our retro country vibe when we need it, however, he is right at home with today’s modern country guitar styles as well.

Mark is endorsed by and uses the following gear:

Tone Junkie Kemper Profiler Packs
www.tonejunkiestore.com

Guitars Maintained by
Schoobies Guitar Works


Pedals by Keeley Electronics
www.robertkeeley.com

Jim Dunlop Electronics
www.jimdunlop.com

Clayton Custom Guitar Picks
www.claytoncustom.com

Paul – Pedal Steel Guitar, Lap Steel, Banjo, Dobro

Paul bought my first pedal steel guitar in Los Angeles in the fall of 1970. Shortly thereafter moved to Seattle where he found a good steel guitar instructor. His first professional gig was in the Seattle area with a rock band where he was hired to play the bass, but they occasionally performed country oriented songs (CCR) with Paul on the pedal steel.  He then joined Gary Tonkin’s country band playing the pedal steel full time. This was the real start of Paul playing pedal steel professionally.  This band played at a club in Yakima, Washington six nights a week, and Paul played pedal steel all night long. After a few months in Yakima, that band toured the Western United States playing clubs, casinos and country fairs.

While playing in Elko, Nevada, Paul met Jim and Jackie Estes and their blue-grass oriented country band, The Family Portrait.  He joined the Family Portrait and soon was traveling all across the United States and Canada.  They played clubs and casinos from Reno and Lake Tahoe to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Virginia and even Edmonton, Alberta.

After a couple years on the road with the Family Portrait, Paul relocated to San Diego and landed a job with Munds & Wood playing six nights per week at the Alamo, the top country night club in San Diego.  He opened shows at the club for national country acts, such as Barbara Mandrell and Freddie Hart.

After 18 months playing six nights per week at the Alamo he moved back to Reno and rejoined the Family Portrait. By this time the Family Portrait was settled in at the Shy Clown Casino in Sparks as the house band. They played their shows and they backed the guest artists that arrived each week; guest stars included David Frizzell (brother of Lefty Frizzell), Hensen Cargill of “Skip A Rope” fame, and Sammi Smith (Grammy award winner “Help Me Make It Through The Night”).  They shared the stage with other top acts including Asleep at the Wheel. Top players from other acts performing in Reno would frequently stop in at the Shy Clown to cut loose and jam late into the night.  Paul vividly remembers Paul Franklin (the top dog in Nashville on pedal steel) and other members of the Mel Tillis band performing on stage at the Shy Clown.

After playing six nights per week for a year straight at the Shy Clown, Paul decided it was time for a change.  He enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno and finished an undergraduate degree, and then enrolled in the University of San Francisco, School of Law. This led to a career as a public prosecutor with the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.  Paul is now retired from the practice of law and is again pursuing his interests in music and the pedal steel guitar.  He has also added dobro and lap steel to his arsenal of instruments.

Since returning to music he has played with local bands including, Buck Ford, The Stardust Cowboys, The Chris Creek Band, Saddleback Ridge, Rachel Steele & Road 88, and Blackwater.

What to expect from Paul: Paul is a true professional musician in every sense, from his instruments to every single piece of equipment, always pursuing the perfect tone to make his pedal steel guitar sound as good as it possibly can.  Always prepared  ready to hit all the right notes.  Many times he has brought audience members to tears and given many goose bumps . .  as he makes his pedal steel guitar cry and sing.  Paul has that authentic Nashville sound and is a huge part of personality of Locked-N-Loaded.  He is a multi-instrumentalist and will play banjo, dobro and lap steel when needed.

Ramiro – Bass Guitar

For the last 45 years Ramiro has produced, performed, recorded and toured with such artist as Paraguayan violinist Carlos Reyes, Alfi Zapacosta, Jorge Santana, Latin Rock Legends Malo, Tiera, El Chicano, Joe and La Famila, Little Willie, Vudo Café, Pete Escovedo, The Latin Kings featuring Lydia Pense (Cold Blood), Lenny Williams (Tower of Power), Greg Errico (Sly & the family Stone), Lee Oscar (War) and GQ, Latin Rock Group Bueno, Voices of Latin Rock, The Latin King’s and many more artist. Local groups Ramiro has performed with are San Francisco’s R&B Corporate Group Pride and Joy, Tortilla Soup and the Michael Jackson tribute act Foreverland.

Ramiro continues to perform with his group Flaco & the Fleas featuring legendary guitarist Vernon Ice Black (Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston), drummer David Rokeach (Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles). He also has two albums out under his stage name of “Amador”.

Ramiro is a multi-instrumentalist and loves all types of music.

What to expect from Ramiro: He has worked for decades with some of the best rhythm sections on the West Coast.  His sense of timing and phrasing is absolutely next level and helps Locked-N-Loaded to have that incredible tight rhythm section that makes all of our songs easy to dance to. He is a seasoned, pro and knows how to put on a great stage show. His bass guitar tone is impeccable. Ramiro brings an infectious smile to the stage that always keeps the band in a great mood from the first note to the last!

Ramiro is endorsed by and uses the following gear:

 
Bass Guitars by CorBassman
www.corbassman.com

Mike – Drums

Growing up in Rockville, Maryland, Mike knew he was destined to be a drummer at a very young age. After taking piano, guitar and even clarinet lessons, his parents gave in and drum lessons started in the 4th grade. Fortunate to be part of excellent music programs throughout his school years Mike was able to gain experience in most styles and genres of music. First rock band was “The Voyage” in 8th grade. Over the years Mike has enjoyed playing with some very talented musicians in stage bands, marching bands, Rock, Blues and Country bands. Mike moved to San Jose at the age of 16 and later relocated to El Dorado Hills, CA in 1998. After moving to the Sacramento area, he was the drummer for cover band “What’s Shakin” and 80’s dance band “The Ripoffs”. Now keeping the beat for “Locked N Loaded”, Mike is excited to be a part of such a talented and versatile country band.

What to expect from Mike: Mike is one of those rare drummers who actually has a very solid meter. What this means is while playing, his timing never waivers, he is solid from start to end and has outstanding drum chops, never plays too loud, always the correct volume level for the venue. 9 out of 10 drummers fail in these 2 catagories. We are very fortunate to have such an incrediable drummer.

Matty – Audio Engineer

Matty has spent the last 42 plus years Working as a Professional Audio Engineer.  Touring the world with many top entertainers and bands from arenas to small clubs and everything in between.  Spent 10 years with the House of Blues, as the Head of Audio.  Also worked as an Audio Installer for 20 years.  When not touring Matty likes to play Bass guitar, fly airplanes and drones, spend time with his family.  He also likes to raise English Bulldogs.

What to expect from Matty: Matty is an absolute professional and with his decades of experience, he always makes sure that every Locked-N-Loaded show sounds as good as it possibly can out front for the audience. “My goal is to have fun, enjoy every show, make it sound the best I can” – Matty

Professional Audio Equipment Purchased from
www.hunterblakeproductions.com

Furman Power Conditioners
www.furmanpower.com

Auralex Acoustics
www.auralex.com

Hercules Guitar Stands
www.herculesstands.com