Ericka Betler
Vocals/Percussion
What is your Musical Background?
I grew up in the church and actually taught myself how to play guitar in the middle of an ice storm when I was 13. My dad and grandfather are also musicians and vocalists so, you can definitely say I was born into it. Singing and songwriting is my "happy place".
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
My Top 3 favorite bands are a mix of bands and just plain dope vocalists - Fleetwood Mac (Stevie Nicks is my hero), Bonnie Raitt and Joss Stone. If you can make me "feel something" I'm hooked!!
Why do you love performing?
When I am up there on stage or even just jamming out in my living room, being able to express my feelings and relieve stress at the same time - it's the best feeling ever!
Favorite lyric or quote?
My favorite quote is "Don't worry about waiting for the storm to pass, instead learn to dance in the rain."
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
The Away Team is my family away from home. I'm all on my own out here in Greenville but I never feel that way. These guys have my back and I have theirs. I've never met a more genuine yet talented group of people and am honored to call them "fam"!
Angelo Jose Ortiz
Vocals/Percussion
What is your Musical Background?
My musical background started in the fourth grade with an audition to the Florida Singing Sons boys choir. There I started my life long musical education by soaking in everything they could throw at me with hundreds of concerts events and even some tours to other countries. Two major highlight from those years were touring through Austria and performing along side the famed Vienna Boys choir and the chance to share a stage with Luciano Pavarotti as a mere street urchin in the production of “La Boem”
Although I like to sing a little bit of everything my passion is truly for Jazz and The Blues.
My abilities as a singer have allowed me to record vocals for several recording artists, tour as well as doing voice over work and commercials.
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
Jeff Buckley, Snarky Puppy, and Splendor but the list could go on and on forever.
Why do you love performing?
I’ve never felt more comfortable than when I’m on stage and under lights. That’s why I know I belong to it. There’s a great satisfaction in making an emotional connection with your audience and the family you collaborate with on stage to bring it consistently night after night.
Favorite piece of musical equipment?
My favorite pieces of equipment is my beer cup holder and a really beat up mid 80s Alvarez acoustic guitar. Even though it’s falling apart it sounds so good. I also have to give props to my in ear monitors too. When you can hear yourself and everyone around you crystal clear, it amazing how we can even surprise ourselves from night to night.
Tell us a favorite lyric or quote.
"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make"
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
What I love most about being in this band is the true sense of camaraderie and the maximum effort each of us puts in whether or not we’re in the same room. When we’re on stage we lift each other’s performances up with our own to become better than we thought we were capable.
In the end, we’re all just looking for that next great show.
Russ Moore
Keyboard/Guitar/Vocals
What is your Musical Background?
I think I was born with a microphone in my hand. I always wanted to sing and play music. I grew up in marching bands, and started my first band in high school. I have been working in the music business for over 35 years. I own a local audio video installation company that installs systems all over North & South Carolina.
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
Too many, but three I always love are The Grateful Dead, Jason Isbell, Robert Earl Keen. I’m also a big Yacht Rock fan.
Why do you love performing?
I forget about everything else when I perform. It’s my stress relief. I don’t play golf, I play music.
Favorite piece of musical equipment?
Currently, my Yamaha Montage keyboard, but I am a old school Stratocaster guitar player at heart.
Tell us a favorite lyric or quote.
Jason Isbell - “Days when we raged, we flew off the page, Such damage was done
But I made it through, 'cause somebody knew
I was meant for someone”
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
I like the family feeling. I am friends with everyone in the band, and we all like hanging out and playing music. Our goal is NO DRAMA, and everyone is made to feel a part of the team.
Kevin Lampson
Dr. Funk / Bass
What is your Musical Background?
I’ve been playing bass for about 25+ years. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies and a Master’s Degree in Bass Performance. I’ve also done time on a cruise ship. I’m a music teacher in North Carolina and wouldn’t do anything else with my life.
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
If I had to choose I would say Silverchair, Oasis, Jill Scott.
Why do you love performing?
I like performing because I love sharing musical experiences with awesome people. When I’m on stage it’s just the band and myself.
Favorite piece of musical equipment?
My favorite piece of gear is the Fender Jazz Bass. There is nothing better.
Tell us a favorite lyric or quote.
A lyric I dig is “Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong”.
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
What I love most about being in the Away Team is the feeling of family. I’ve only been in the band a short time compared to other members and with that being said, I feel like I’ve known the other members my whole life. We click like we’re long lost brothers and sisters.
Todd King
Guitar and Vocals
What is your Musical Background?
I grew up taking jazz lessons at the Greenville Academy of Music under the teaching of the late Charlie Woods only to find out that I did not enjoy jazz at a young age. I then decided to study Metal/Rock under Joey Banks. Joined a Variety House band at age 18. Took a 10 year break from clubs and played only in church while raising my family. With some encouragement from the church I started playing in clubs again as a full time musician.
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
Kansas, Triumph and Iron Maiden
Why do you love performing?
I enjoy taking people on a musical journey to give them a break from the responsibilities of life.
Favorite piece of musical equipment?
My 1985 Fender squire strat guitar that I received for graduating high school.
Tell us a favorite lyric or quote.
Be the energy that you want to attract.
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
The people and the high energy music we play. Each and every person brings such a uniqueness to the table, and I am spending time with people that I want to be like.
Tommy Casey
Guitar
What is your Musical Background?
I’ve always been musical at heart. Started playing guitar at 15 years old and fell in love with the instrument. Guitarists like C.C. Deville and Michael Schenker really blew me away. I’ve always been drawn to melodic styles.
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
Seventh Wonder
Gary Moore
Jim Steinman
Favorite piece of musical equipment?
My 2009 Silverburst Gibson Les Paul
Tell us a favorite lyric or quote.
“Every man dies. Not every man lives.”
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
Working with Away Team, I feel more like a friend and a family member than an employee.
Don Gillmer
Drums/Percussion
What is your Musical Background?
I started drums and percussion as a child and never stopped. Through school and adulthood I have always been involved with music through teaching or performing. I start and end most days listening to my favorites.
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
JJ Grey & Mofro, NEEDTOBREATHE and Foo Fighters
Why do you love performing?
Watching somones face as it lights up when they hear a melody that hits them in that "good spot". Performing with band is some of the hardest but most rewarding work.
Favorite piece of musical equipment?
My Pearl Masters MCX 6.5x14 Snare. No matter what other brand kit I am playing you will probably find this sitting right in front of me.
Tell us a favorite lyric or quote.
-JJ Grey
"I believe in what I can't change
in a hard lesson learned
and the strength from my pain
and I believe
in what I can't prove
in the joy of not knowing
and the misunderstood"
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
This family we are working to create is much like any family. We work hard, we play hard, we disagree and we learn from each other. In the end when we all give our best we make some magic happen on stage. Work with the ones that make you want to better yourself.
Kraig Hayhurst
Guitar and Vocals
What is your Musical Background?
I've been playing in all different genres of bands for 18 years. Started in high school after getting in some trouble and picking up my dads guitar for something to do while on restrictions :) I Haven't put it down since. Now, "I just play guitar."
Pick 3 of your favorite bands/musicians?
Oh there are soooo many.
Ritchie Kotzen, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Why do you love performing?
I love performing because I get lost in the music and enjoy people's reaction to the music. It takes me away from the everyday grind of life.
Favorite piece of musical equipment?
Hands down, my Tele'! I hand wired it vintage style with a 4-way switch mod and dimarzio pickups. It sings.
Tell us a favorite lyric or quote.
"If your family life is saddled with a burden
If your lover's out and you don't deserve it
Now you're finding out nothings ever perfect
If your standing tall you still got a purpose
Stand stand tall stand tall, go get yours because you deserve it."
- Richie Kotzen.
What do you like best about being part of Away Team?
I really enjoy the friendship we all share. We all come from different musical influences and come together to create a very fun and energetic experience like nothing I've done before. There's no drama.