Who is Sweet Mother?

Rick Dimond on keyboard, Paul Shuffield on guitar & vocals, Mike Bryant on trombone, Byron Yancey on bass & vocals, and Bill Halbrook on slagwerk & vocals--five of the most talented and innovative musicians on the scene today. Individually they are constantly on call to play with other musicians needing the very best in session players. Together they are one unit, a band with incredible finesse and chops. Plus, they are simply fun to listen to.

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Byron Yancey was born in Ukiah, CA, and presently resides in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He spent 4 years touring Europe, Scandinavia, the Balkans and North Africa with the U.S. Air Force band based at Ramstein Airbase. Since then, Byron has appeared on stage with such varied acts as The Drifters, Black Oak Arkansas, and Diamond Rio. Yancey’s versatility keeps him in demand playing and singing styles ranging from Jazz to Rock to Blues.

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Originally from Stuttgart, AR, Mike Bryant spent many hours practicing and performing with horn bands and jazz groups. Mike was a member of the 8th Air Force Band, and he performs with several central Arkansas groups in addition to Sweet Mother, including symphonic bands and brass quintets. He spent five years as a music educator, and continues to teach privately in Bryant, AR.

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A musician of impeccable talent, Rick Dimond is the keyboardist for the group. He has played with and in front of some of the biggest names in rock and jazz in the country. Rick’s uncanny ear makes him adept at soloing and provides a strong musical foundation for the band. His natural leadership ability and technical skills make him an asset to any group, and a driving force in Sweet Mother. One listen is all it takes.

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Having played in bands with a variety of styles from 80's Hair Metal and country to Top 40 Rock and Southern Gospel, Paul Shuffield has developed his own unique sound and style. Paul currently owns and operates Shuffield Music Company in Arkadelphia, AR where he provides full line musical instrument sales and service, and private instruction.

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From his first garage bands in high school, through road bands, to being one of the most called drummers in the area, Bill Halbrook has been a working musician. His ability to play a wide variety of styles has led to work from studio to concert hall, and from rock band to big band jazz. Bill strives for creativity and diversity in his playing, and enthusiasm in his vocals.

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Partial Song List
Many of the following pieces are played as unique arrangements. The goups and performers' names are listed as references.

• My Old School| Steely Dan
• Spinning Wheel| Blood, Sweat & Tears
• What Would You Say| Dave Matthews Band
• Everything| Michael Buble
• Beginnings| Chicago
• Angry Eyes| Loggins & Messina
• Dixie Chicken| Little Feat
• Manic Depression| Jimi Hendrix
• Brown Eyed Girl| Van Morrison
• Cold Coffee| Sweet Mother
• Don't Take Me Alive| Steely Dan
• Got Nothin'| Sweet Mother
• Mercy, Mercy, Mercy| Joe Zawinul
• The Ocean| Led Zeppelin
• The Letter| Joe Cocker
• Footprints| Wayne Shorter
• Tequila| The Champs
• Moondance| Van Morrison
• More and More| Blood, Sweat & Tears
• I Love Lucy| Desi Arnaz
• Hey Bartender| Blues Brothers
• Kid Charlemagne| Steely Dan
• Rag Doll| Aerosmith
• Spanish Moon| Little Feat
• Whisper Your Name| Harry Connick, Jr.
• Watermelon Man| Herbie Hancock
• Fool In The Rain| Led Zeppelin
• Mustang Sally| Wilson Pickett
• What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life| Michel Legrand
• Jack of Speed| Steely Dan
• People Are Strange| The Doors

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Some of the other groups the guys play with are Colt & the Old 45's, The Arkansas Jazz Orchestra, The Arkansas Symphony, & Capitol Brass.

Sponsored by Shuffield Music Company