The Chicago Experience

THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE

The Chicago Experience is the nation’s premier tribute to the legendary band Chicago. Formerly known as 25 or 6 to 4, The Chicago Experience features dazzling musicianship, crisp harmonies and Chicago’s signature horn sound. Audiences can expect a spot on tribute to one of rock & roll’s most legendary bands!

Band Member Bios:

BRIAN HEMSTOCK – VOCALS
Brian Hemstock loves singing all the Cetera vocals for The Chicago Experience, but before that he toured the world as the male vocalist for The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Touring the United States, Canada, and even Japan, Brian worked with the famous big band for almost three years. Born and raised in Wisconsin, his mother, a music teacher, got Brian interested in music at an early age. After high school, Brian attended Western Michigan University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies with an emphasis in Voice. You can find Brian around Chicagoland performing with TCE, local big bands, and many other jobbing groups.

ADAM BRIEL – VOCALS
As a child, Adam was enamored by artist such as “Prince”, “Queen” & “Michael Jackson” which quickly lured him into the exciting world of music. At age fourteen Adam bought a broke down drum set and a used guitar from a yard sale and set out to make a splash in the local rock scene. Throughout high-school Adam performed in many garage bands and performed at local festivals while trying to find himself musically. Finally while attending Colombia College; Adam entered the Chicago club/bar scene as a vocalist/guitarist and never looked back. Over the past 15 years Adam has become a staple of the Chicago rock scene by fronting numerous successful rock and cover bands while opening for such acts as “Lynyrd Skynyrd”,” Sister Sledge” & “Blue Oyster Cult.”

RON BRANDT – GUITAR / VOCALS
With early influences from Terry Kath and school jazz band, Ron couldn’t be happier filling the Guitar / Lamm Vocal / Musical Director roles. With a career spanning over thirty years playing nationally as well as locally it is with The Chicago Experience that Ron is extremely grateful for an opportunity to perform the music he is passionate about to this day.

TIM RUTTER – BASS / VOCALS
Born and raised in the western suburbs, Chicago has always been Tim’s home town. Tim began his musical endeavors on the trumpet as a child and has remained a fan of horn music from his early days and first exposure to bands like Chicago, Tower of Power and Earth Wind and Fire. After playing both lead and bass guitar for many years, Tim began to study the bass guitar as a main instrument after exposure to players like Alphonso Johnson, Marcus Miller and Jaco Pastorius in the early 1980’s. Tim has played bass and sang professionally for well over two decades including a run with the Chicago-area band The Cryan’ Shames from 1986-2002 and has shared the stage with artists such as Graham Nash, The Turtles, The Coasters, The Drifters, The Temptations, Edgar Winter to name a few.

PAUL WOOD – KEYS / GUITAR
Hailing from Naperville Illinois, the keyboards and second guitar are powered by Paul Wood. Paul has played for many successful Rock acts including The Drifters, The Coasters, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Chicago Bear Band, Scramble, The Shadows of Knight, and Chicago’s own Cryan’ Shames. He also has written music for, directed scores for and engineered recording sessions for Orchestras and Industrial Shows across the country, including Rock Shows, Society Orchestras, and Symphonies. Currently, Paul is also Assistant Director of Music and Worship at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Il.

ADAM COWGER – DRUMS
Adam Cowger is currently an adjunct professor of music at Joliet Junior College where he directs the percussion ensemble and teaches applied percussion. Additionally, Adam teaches courses in applied percussion and music history at Moraine Valley Community College. As a freelance artist in the Chicago area, Adam has performed with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Indiana Symphony, and New Philharmonic. He performs regularly with the tribute band The Chicago Experience and the Screaming Norwegians percussion duo with fellow percussionist/ educator Ben Wahlund. In addition, Adam has performed at such prestigious events as the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2007), the Montreux Jazz Festival (2005, 2003), and the South by Southwest Music Festival (2004). Adam endorses Tycoon Percussion and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.

STEVE FROST – TRUMPET
Steve Frost is a graduate of DePaul University’s School of Music, with a Bachelor of Music Performance. From Classical to Jazz, he has proven himself as a versatile player, with a broad range of performance experience. Steve performs with his brother Mike and “The Mike Frost Project” at some of Chicago’s most well known venues. He also had the privilege of working with Chicago jazz legend, the late Bob Guthrie. He has performed on recording sessions for numerous local and national artists, like Chicago’s own #1 hit legends “The Buckinghams”, who he has enjoyed performing with for over 15 years. Steve has had the honor of performing with “Chicago” founding member Danny Seraphine, and his group “CTA” (California Transit Authority). Steve is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).

TERRY VIANO – TROMBONE
Trombonist Terry Viano spent 20 years performing in the United States Air Force Band, including the world famous “Falconaires” Jazz Ensemble. Terry has had the privilege of performing with “The Buckinghams,” “Temptations,” “Diane Schuur,”
“Bighorn” and “Conjunto Colores,” and he is honored to be performing with The Chicago Experience.

TIM FALLS – FLUTE / SAXOPHONE
A saxophonist from the age of 11, Tim is a John Philip Sousa award- winner with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A “mild-mannered engineer” by day, Tim has moonlighted in his night-time career as a musician, performing in bands throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Tim is very fond of motown and classic rock, having grown up in the ’70’s, and is very excited to be a member of The Chicago Experience. Tim plays the tenor and soprano saxophones, and flute.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JePX4U7Y2Aw

PARTIAL SONG LIST

25 or 6 to 4
Saturday In The Park
Old Days
Make Me Smile
Colour My World
Lowdown
You’re The Inspiration

Hard To Say I’m Sorry
Alive Again
Beginnings
Feeling Stronger
In The Country
Hard Habit To Break
Free
I’m A Man

Fancy Colours
If You Leave Me Now
Searching For So Long
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is
Introduction
Questions 67 & 68
Dialoge