On Stage
Mel Stahler - Lead Vocals
Growing up in southern Ohio, Mel developed vocal roots deep in the Southern Rock vein. After a fifteen year run singing with the Larry King Orchestra, Mel has decided to go back to singing the music that he loves: Country and Southern Rock. When you hear Mel apply his lyrical style to this project, we know you will agree he made the right decision.
Jay Dorn “JD” - Lead Guitar
Forming half of the six-string section and the newest member of Bully, Jay's musical approach is to aim to stay “true to the tune” and nail the “feel” and sound of each song he plays with precision and consistency. Primarily a rock-based guitarist, Jay cut his teeth on touring the club and festival scene in the Midwest region, over the years, covering everything from rock, classic rock, southern rock, alternative, hard rock, metal and country. Stylistically, southern rock and modern country are in his wheelhouse and in his musical roots. Says Jay: “some of the best guitarists in the world are country players, and I grew up listening to and influenced by southern rock, so it was a no-brainer in the intrigue and fit with Bully”
Jason Altenbern - Keyboards/Vocals
Jason has played piano and sang in bands for nearly 40 years. Unlike his bandmates and their impressive rock n roll repertoire, Jason’s live performances, logging well over 1,500 services, were almost entirely reserved for Sunday mornings and occasional Saturday night services with his fellow church musicians since his early 20s.
Music runs deep in his family. For more than 50 years, his father was the choir director while his mother played the organ, and he credits their passion for using their gifts to serve others as his key influences. A teen of the 80s, Jason was initially drawn to synthesizers, big hair metal, classic rock, and later contemporary Christian music. He credits how his go-to music nowadays is blues, Indie rock, and new country. This eclectic style of musical tastes and longtime enjoyment of performing live can be best summarized by saying, “He’s simply a guy who likes to play.”
Bob Erickson - Bass/Vocals
Bob is the melodic half of our rhythm section. Inspired by the likes of Jack Bruce, Mel Schacher and John Wetton, he brings a wide variety of styles to the stage and crafts them into a country and southern rock groove that keeps the bottom of our tunes thundering.
Pete Herbig - Drums
Pete is a rock solid, in the pocket drummer. Heavily influenced by the Chicago blues scene, Pete was house drummer on the Jones cablevision show Guest list which promoted Chicago blues artists. Here is where he learned, less is more. Stay in the pocket and keep the groove. He was privileged to play with artists like Lonnie Brooks, Charlie Love, Tommy Giblin, Dion Payton, and Larry McCray on the show. Funky blues is the foundation for his style. Pete also played drums in the band Pink Freud, Pink Floyd tribute, for about 10 years plus many other local bands. Today he also likes Southern and Country Rock , Modern and Classic Rock, R & B, and Funk. Pete is the perfect choice for Buckshot Bully - Southern and Country Rock with attitude!!!!!
Special Thanks to three of our founding members - Jason Dirx, Rodney Watson (RIP) and Terry Prater