ALECIA AND MIKE ECHOLS  - Vocalist, Fiddler & Guitar, Stephenville, TX

Granbury Live’s “Princess and The Blue Eyed Fiddler” have quite a story to tell about falling in love on the Granbury Live stage.  Alecia came to us straight out of high school after some outstanding years in the Granbury High School Choir and what a red haired talent!  She continues to blossom and our fans always request her rendition of “Amazing Grace.” 

Mike joined Granbury Live three years ago. His grand dad had started teaching him how to play the fiddle when he was three years old.  Mike continued to play throughout his schooling and won awards around the country for his talent.  He auditioned and was hired two weeks before the debut of “God Bless Texas.”   He graduated from Tarleton State University in 2006. and is employed as Music Associate at the First Baptist Church in Stephenville.

The late Tom McRae would tell Alecia in their first rehearsals together to look into Mike’s eyes like she really was interested in him when he played ………the chemistry worked.  They married on June 29, 2006, and moved into a new home in Stephenville.  Mike is employed as Associate Director of Music at the First Baptist Church.    He has been a “budding” drummer since he was a little boy.  They enjoy relaxing around home, working in the yard and bowling.  Alecia doesn’t really care for golf, but Mike has a “1” handicap.

ROGER RAMSEY - Bass player – Benbrook, TX

Born and raised in Deridder, Louisiana, Roger attended Northwestern State University and started playing with local jazz and big band artists in Shreveport.  He was a founding member of a jazz quartet called Inner Circle – doing his part by playing the Upright Bass, Tuba and Electric bass, but not all at the same time.  This group played numerous private parties, clubs and festivals though out Louisiana. A few notables include the Miss Louisiana pageant, Hollywood Premiers and they backed up such artists as Marvin Stamm. He lived briefly in Hollywood and played with a rock band.

After his days at Northwestern University,  Roger accepted a position with the United States Air Force Band program for the next twelve years, serving both on active duty and with the Texas Air National Guard.  He has performed for audiences from all around the world, including London, Paris, Prague, and Athens to name a few. Stateside, Roger has performed at Lincoln Center, the White House, Schubert Theater, and from Hollywood to Branson MO.  He has also personally performed on national telecasts for CNN and PBS entertaining foreign and domestic dignitaries such as ambassadors, senators, Prime Ministers and Presidents.

Roger then decided to use his Bachelor of Music degree and become a teacher. He is currently in his 11th year as a Band Director in the Granbury ISD school system.  Along with his teaching responsibilities, he continues to be very active in the DFW music scene, playing national stages such as Billy Bob’s and the Texas Motor Speedway.  Roger is currently in his 6th year on stage at Granbury Live playing bass, is on our creative team and lives in Fort Worth.

STEVE SLAYTON, Drummer, Granbury, TX

Self taught on the drums, Steve left high school at the age of 16 and went on the road to play professionally. Has played in 43 States and several countries and played all types of music in multiple bands, including an all Hispanic horn band (EL Paso) Black Blues Band (Long John Hunter) Rock bands (Windfall), dance bands (Emerald City), country bands, show bands, etc…

 Toured as opening act for multiple artists including, Eddie Rabbitt, Mickey Gilley, Alabama, Bob Hope, Huey Lewis & the News.  He also played in the praise & worship band at Sunnyvale Baptist Church in 1998 and experienced some fantastic times doing the contemporary services and  music ministry tours in places such as Brazil, St. Martin, and New York City.

Steve married his wife Cindy when he was 30 and retired from the “road gigs” when his first daughter was born.   He started college at 33, earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then his Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.  He worked in psychiatric hospitals for 12 years, is a licensed professional counselor and maintains his license currently.  Was recruited into the Assisted Livingindustry in 2003 and is currently the Area Director of Operations for Emeritus and oversees five Assisted Living communities in North Texas.   Steve works very

hard at his corporate management job and has been dedicated to continue performing at Granbury Live since 2004.  He set a goal in 2007 to do a triathlon and recently completed his

third triathlon in August.

Steve and Cindy’s family consists of Stephanie (22), junior Texas State College in San Marcos, Taylor (16), junior at Granbury High School and Madelynn (13), 8th grade at Acton Middle School.  They built a home in Pecan Plantation and love to hike in Colorado, snorkel and scuba dive in Hawaii, play tennis, and Steve just loves playing the drums. It is his “therapy”.  “I love my family and do my very best to stabalanced in my very busy life.   I am truly blessed in so many ways.”

CHRISTIAN HUTTON

Electric Guitar, Weatherford, TX

Christian is the eldest of four children born to a former Church of Christ minister and a “stay at home” mom. His father is now a successful financial advisor.  At age 11, Christian received a “garage sale special” $10 guitar.  He immediately became consumed with the guitar and learned everything he could from books, recordings and magazines.  Later he studied with the great Tom Burchill who unlocked doors for him and helped in get his first gigs.

 After receiving his A.A. degree in Music from Weatherford College, Christian married Amy and began playing gigs and teaching guitar.  Eventually, he hooked up with music producer Ken Halford from Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 weekly radio program.  He and Ken started a music production company Audio Ammo (www.audioammo.com).  They stay busy doing jingles, production music and independent records.  Christian has been teaching 18 years – 8 at Weatherford College.  His interests are Corvettes, composition, exploring Europe and the never-ending adventure of playing the guitar. 

“The Lord has been so good to me in every way.  He has blessed the work of my hands and has given me the opportunity to be a better musician.  Everything I have is because of His Goodness and Generosity!  There’s nothing really special to write about me…God is the One who is remarkable.”

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