Band
Danny Paris - Vocals, Guitar
Danny Paris draws musical inspiration from a background that ranges from Elvis Presley to the Cure, and from the Old 97’s to Buck Owens. Raised on a ranch in Southern Wisconsin, Danny grew up with old-school country in his blood. But ultimately, it was the sound of his Dad's old Harmony arch top that is responsible for shaping him into the artist he is today.
The only music he really listened to as a youngster was his parents playing 8-Tracks of Johnny Cash, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and some occasional Hank Williams. With guitar heroes like James Burton and Don Rich, Danny began working on a local farm making $1.50 an hour and saving money to buy his first guitar. He worked in various rock bands through his college years and played clubs from Minneapolis to Chicago to Peoria. After backsliding from country music through the eighties and nineties, Danny finally found his real love for music in vintage country and rockabilly music, and Gretsch guitars. As a co-founder of the Madison band The Back 40’s, he spent a few years playing the local bars, radio programs, and benefits.
In 2007, the 40’s split up, but Danny hung on to the real talent in the band, which was the steel player. Through a year long stint with an Austin musician, Danny was introduced to an upright bass player from Alaska. With the help of Craigslist and some local connections, the ‘Shiners were brought together to complete the dream. Mostly working with classic cover songs from the fifties and sixties, the ‘Shiners are also performing originals that sound like 45’s from 1958 (that’s a phonograph reference). Danny plays these tunes with the energy and heartfelt passion of which they were originally released.
Now, after years of playing honky-tonks and opening shows for the likes of the Kissers, the Damn Shames, and the German Art Students, Danny is ready to take the stage at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, and maybe even the Grand Ole Opry (someday).
C. Scott Fry - Upright Bass, Vocals
Scotty. Where do we start. For the most part, the 'Shiners are a pretty decent bunch of guys, married, day-job, family guys. Then there's Scotty. Scotty puts the "Moonshine" in the 'Shiners. The "Billy" in Rockabilly.
Rumor has it he came to Madison by way of Alaska, but nobody seems to really know where he came from, and we don't ask. Ever.
Scotty is generally accompanied by his dance partner, Miss Kitty.
Jamie Lee - Drums, Vocals
Jamie Lee was born and raised in South Central Wisconsin. He got his first drum set at age five, and the first song he learned to play was Joy to the World by Three Dog Night. The first song Jamie performed to an audience was at age five and that was Home on the Range. Jamie's entire family has a musical background, everyone sings or plays an instrument, great jams at family gatherings. He played trumpet in school but always did drums on the side. Started making money in bars at age thirteen and played in multiple bands, River City, Thunder Mountain, Bonnie Lee and the Countrymen, mostly country and 50's 60's rock. Influences were Kenny Rogers, Elvis, Garth Brooks, Waylon, The Eagles. When Jamie's daughters were ages six and four he took some time off. Now that his girls are married and on their own it's time to come out of retirement.
"So here I am with the Shiners and back to my roots. We hope after visiting our website you want to come party with us".
Steve Tesmer - Pedal Steel Guitar
Steve grew up in a small town in Central Wisconsin, but the Polka bug never really bit him. He says his earliest musical memories/influences were: seeing Elvis on Ed Sullivan on the old Zenith TV set, watching Libarace play that shiny piano, seeing the Beatles on Jack Parr and Ed Sullivan, watching Hee-Haw, Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell, seeing John Hartford tear it up on the banjo on the Campbell show one night, Flatt & Scruggs on the Beverly Hillbillies, the Dillards on the Andy Griffith Show.
When Steve was 16 he started working on his Dad's construction crew and got exposed to country music, George Jones, Buck, Merle, Waylon, Johnnies Cash and Paycheck, and of course, all the Hanks. At the time he would never admit that he liked the music, but some seeds got planted (they took some 30 years to germinate).
Fast forward to 2005, Steve has been playing guitar in various string bands for a while now and Dobro for about 10 years or so; takes up the lap Steel, joins the Back 40's (one of Danny Paris' earlier projects), gets a Pedal Steel Guitar, and now he's a 'Shiner.
–Slim F. Chance
