Miles Station
features Chris Hammann on bass, Mike Musgrove on drums, John Hand on keys, Lori Franke on vocals, Jerry Price on rhythm, and Eric Cooper on lead guitar and vocals.
Miles Station will entertain all people of all ages. They play from all genres: country, rock, disco, alternative, funk, blues, and even folk.
Mike Musgrove - Drums
Mike has been playing the drums for numerous years, playing as the house band drummer at Nashville North for twelve years. Opening from every major country star under the sun - from Willie Nelson to Loretta Lynn. More information on Mike will be coming your way. Mike is living in Springfield, Illinois with his wife, Heather, and a son.
John Hand - Keys/Vocals
Music has always been a part of John's life. He started taking piano lessons when he was seven years old with an instructor named Gigi Darr. Darr was an accomplished classical pianist with a degree in piano performance. John took lessons from her for eight years and learned a great deal about reading music theory. When entering high school at Alton High something else caught John's attention : the Drums! He marched with the Marching 100 and played in the Symphonic Band for four years. After high school, he decided to continue with his music training and thus attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Playing both in the Wind Symphony and the Percussion Ensemble for three years, John's final performance with the Wind Symphony was at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He also took private lessons with an instructor named Jerry Bolen for two years who is an accomplished percussionist in the St. Louis Area. John's belief system encompasses two systems of thought, both of which were quoted in movies: "That's some mighty fine picking and a singing!" (O Brother Where Art Thou?) and "Get
busy living or get busy dying" (The Shawshank Redemption).
After four years of college, John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Business. Currently, he is employed at Halpin Music in Alton, Illinois and is happily married to Melissa!
Lori Franke - Lead Vocals
Lori Franke is not your typical grassroots country singer. Born and raised in Calhoun County, Illinois, this former Marine and mother of three has been singing nearly her whole life. "I've been singing in front of large groups of people since I was 18," Franke said, "but I just had a lot of other things to do before I could get to this point in my life and devote more time to it."
Franke gained local exposure with her debut release Sometimes, on the MW Production/Records label in November of 2004. Public response to the album was overwhelming. On the strength of tracks such as "Baby Wake Up" and "If Love Doesn't Matter," the CD began selling at a rapid pace. Lori's music has sparked a lot of interest on various independent music Internet sites and is featured on various play lists on Internet radio, WSMI being the most supportive! "I was blessed to have some of the finest songwriters/musicians in the area working with me on this project," says Franke.
Franke has found her niche in music entertainment by hooking up with five very talented musicians, creating her most important link- Miles Station. The band is comprised of bass player and vocals Chris Hammann, Eric Cooper on lead guitar and vocals, John Hand on keys and vocals, Mike Musgrove on drums, and Jerry Price on rhythm guitar and vocals. Franke agrees that Miles Station is the "best support system one could have as all the musicians are extremely talented and have vocal abilities as
well, making the musical fill a wonderful arrangement with every song."
Lori currently serves as an education consultant and resides in Shipman, Illinois, with her husband, Scott. They have three daughters.
Eric Cooper - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Eric's skill in singing and working the radio took place before he began walking. His musical abilities can be accredited to his father and uncle, as they were in a band together (The Good Ol' Boys) when he was growing up. Being around an abundance of music during childhood gave Eric the foundation that led to his falling in love with music. He didn't start playing an instrument until he was 14 -bass guitar-then picked up more as he turned 17 (six string acoustic and electric), and even more by 21 (just a bit of piano). Working in cover bands and original bands around the St. Louis area through the years, Eric was approached by Chris Hammann to determine interest in playing with Miles Station. "I could not ask to be around a better combination of personalities, musicianship, and professionalism." And the rest of the band is more than ecstatic to have him on board! Eric is the musical director at Carlinville Southern Baptist Church and living in Carlinville, Illinois with his wife, Theresa and three children.
Chris Hammann - Bass/Vocals
Chris grew up in a small town in Central Illinois. He began playing the bass at the age of 11. Chris comes from a very musical background. His dad played drums during the “Big Band” era and his brother currently plays drums professionally. Chris has played all types of music including rock, country, soul & funk. After the release of her album, Sometimes, Franke searched for a skilled bass player to help lead the band, and her prayers were answered when Chris called and inquired about the position. When not participating in his musical endeavors, Chris is working as a Financial Planner at Investment Planners, Inc. Chris lives in Carlinville, Illinois with his wife, Joan. They have two adult kids.
Jerry Price - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Jerry Price was born in Indianapolis, IN and raised in Cottage Hills, IL. Jerry started singing in grade school choir, where he won numerous awards as a soloist. Unlike the other band members, Jerry didn't start performing on stage until he reached the age of 25. He got his first taste of country rock while playing in local bands such as Fineline Band and Renegade. He joined Mason-Dixon as lead vocalist, but had already displayed a knack for entertaining audiences with his quick wit and deep country vocals. "My early influences were: Ronnie Milsap, George Strait, Garth Brooks, and of course, Elvis Presley." Jerry signed up with Miles Station to add a little traditional country "flavour" to a rockin' variety band whose goal it is to appeal to ALL audiences. Jerry resides in Godfrey, Illinois with his wife, Erica, and three boys.
Mike Musgrove - Drums
Mike has been playing the drums for numerous years, playing as the house band drummer at Nashville North for twelve years. Opening from every major country star under the sun - from Willie Nelson to Loretta Lynn. More information on Mike will be coming your way. Mike is living in Springfield, Illinois with his wife, Heather, and a son.
John Hand - Keys/Vocals
Music has always been a part of John's life. He started taking piano lessons when he was seven years old with an instructor named Gigi Darr. Darr was an accomplished classical pianist with a degree in piano performance. John took lessons from her for eight years and learned a great deal about reading music theory. When entering high school at Alton High something else caught John's attention : the Drums! He marched with the Marching 100 and played in the Symphonic Band for four years. After high school, he decided to continue with his music training and thus attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Playing both in the Wind Symphony and the Percussion Ensemble for three years, John's final performance with the Wind Symphony was at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He also took private lessons with an instructor named Jerry Bolen for two years who is an accomplished percussionist in the St. Louis Area. John's belief system encompasses two systems of thought, both of which were quoted in movies: "That's some mighty fine picking and a singing!" (O Brother Where Art Thou?) and "Get
busy living or get busy dying" (The Shawshank Redemption).
After four years of college, John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Business. Currently, he is employed at Halpin Music in Alton, Illinois and is happily married to Melissa!
Lori Franke - Lead Vocals
Lori Franke is not your typical grassroots country singer. Born and raised in Calhoun County, Illinois, this former Marine and mother of three has been singing nearly her whole life. "I've been singing in front of large groups of people since I was 18," Franke said, "but I just had a lot of other things to do before I could get to this point in my life and devote more time to it."
Franke gained local exposure with her debut release Sometimes, on the MW Production/Records label in November of 2004. Public response to the album was overwhelming. On the strength of tracks such as "Baby Wake Up" and "If Love Doesn't Matter," the CD began selling at a rapid pace. Lori's music has sparked a lot of interest on various independent music Internet sites and is featured on various play lists on Internet radio, WSMI being the most supportive! "I was blessed to have some of the finest songwriters/musicians in the area working with me on this project," says Franke.
Franke has found her niche in music entertainment by hooking up with five very talented musicians, creating her most important link- Miles Station. The band is comprised of bass player and vocals Chris Hammann, Eric Cooper on lead guitar and vocals, John Hand on keys and vocals, Mike Musgrove on drums, and Jerry Price on rhythm guitar and vocals. Franke agrees that Miles Station is the "best support system one could have as all the musicians are extremely talented and have vocal abilities as
well, making the musical fill a wonderful arrangement with every song."
Lori currently serves as an education consultant and resides in Shipman, Illinois, with her husband, Scott. They have three daughters.
Eric Cooper - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Eric's skill in singing and working the radio took place before he began walking. His musical abilities can be accredited to his father and uncle, as they were in a band together (The Good Ol' Boys) when he was growing up. Being around an abundance of music during childhood gave Eric the foundation that led to his falling in love with music. He didn't start playing an instrument until he was 14 -bass guitar-then picked up more as he turned 17 (six string acoustic and electric), and even more by 21 (just a bit of piano). Working in cover bands and original bands around the St. Louis area through the years, Eric was approached by Chris Hammann to determine interest in playing with Miles Station. "I could not ask to be around a better combination of personalities, musicianship, and professionalism." And the rest of the band is more than ecstatic to have him on board! Eric is the musical director at Carlinville Southern Baptist Church and living in Carlinville, Illinois with his wife, Theresa and three children.
Chris Hammann - Bass/Vocals
Chris grew up in a small town in Central Illinois. He began playing the bass at the age of 11. Chris comes from a very musical background. His dad played drums during the “Big Band” era and his brother currently plays drums professionally. Chris has played all types of music including rock, country, soul & funk. After the release of her album, Sometimes, Franke searched for a skilled bass player to help lead the band, and her prayers were answered when Chris called and inquired about the position. When not participating in his musical endeavors, Chris is working as a Financial Planner at Investment Planners, Inc. Chris lives in Carlinville, Illinois with his wife, Joan. They have two adult kids.
Jerry Price - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Jerry Price was born in Indianapolis, IN and raised in Cottage Hills, IL. Jerry started singing in grade school choir, where he won numerous awards as a soloist. Unlike the other band members, Jerry didn't start performing on stage until he reached the age of 25. He got his first taste of country rock while playing in local bands such as Fineline Band and Renegade. He joined Mason-Dixon as lead vocalist, but had already displayed a knack for entertaining audiences with his quick wit and deep country vocals. "My early influences were: Ronnie Milsap, George Strait, Garth Brooks, and of course, Elvis Presley." Jerry signed up with Miles Station to add a little traditional country "flavour" to a rockin' variety band whose goal it is to appeal to ALL audiences. Jerry resides in Godfrey, Illinois with his wife, Erica, and three boys.