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There are things going on everywhere, if you want to know what's happening in the Branson area be sure to take a look at the Music Scene Magazine We have a new stand alone music player for you to enjoy as you peruse our site.
Testimonials:
Excerpt from Winter Blast of Blues write-up Jan 20 2007 ...
There was no question that Cool Beenz would step up the intensity level when they took the stage. These guys are excellent musicians. Teri “Baby” is a little one hundred (or less) pounds of dynamite and she started her set with the fuse lit!! She was stage left, then stage right, then out in the audience, twirling dice, throwing a plastic chicken, and on and on and on. She has one of the most sultry and bluesy voices in our region. On top of that she is a great person with a very good heart. The rest of the Beenz team are no slouches either. The rhythm was solid, the leads were dynamite, and the set was electrifying. Cool Beenz will be a hit any place they play.
Mike MacPherson, owner of Uncivil Productions, LLC and concert promoter for the "Winter Blast Of Blues" and other festivals had this to say about Cool Beenz...
We saw their show at "Summers At The River" in Nixa, Missouri. You all know how good Teri Norton can be already, but this band is absolutely awesome. It took Teri two years to find the right mix of personalities. Cool Beenz are a five piece group with Teri fronting the band and Cory, her husband, on rhythm guitar, Earl Grigsby, from Branson, on bass, Jeff Barker on drums and Wayne Severson, a kick ass lead guitarist from South Dakota. They're a great candidate for the "Winter Blast Of Blues" line up. If you get a chance, check them out!
Mark Eubanks, owner of the regionally famous "Ahoy's" restaurant & bar on the lake in Kimberling City says "Of all the bands we have perform here at Ahoy's, Cool Beenz and Sequel Dose are our two favorites".
When It Comes To Band Bookings, This One Is Pure Simplicity.
Nothing outrageous, just give us lots of money, good perks, some swag, a string of groupies, an attentive audience, stage hands, free food, drinks, four motel rooms with limousine service and we're there!
Actually, some of the above is negotiable so give us a call at:
Contact Information:
Jeff Barker - 417 272 - 3692 DrumsRus@interlinc.net
Drums / percussion
A Show/Dance Band
Cool Beenz consists of five members; drums, bass, two guitars, plus a dynamic entertaining front and center female vocalist. Stylisticly a mixture of Blues, Funk, Old & New Rock will be presented and performed with an emphasis on having fun and getting the crowd dancing. A party atmosphere will be created.
Band Member Bio's:
Mesa Mitchell Front Vocalist
From the heart of the Ozarks... Miss Mesa Mitchell. You're in for a hard driving, full tilt boogie experience. Mesa is a gutsy, folksy vocalist and songwriter and also Cool Beenz' newest member. Her talent and stage presence is unquestionably powerful. She is the embodiment of the Chicago blues mixed with New Orleans rhythm and blues. May West and Billie Holiday would be proud. Mesa's strong yet smooth voice comes accross from her many influences of the artists she loves. Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and Tina Turner to name a few. Her range of excellence covers not only the blues but jazz, rock, rhythm and blues and pop. She is equally at home with the latest hits or standards. Mesa's natural talent and love for music combined with her fun personality gives each song her own personal touch. This girl will rock your house. CAUTION! Strap yourself in and keep your hands and feet inside the beat 'cause when the band strikes up so does the heat!
Jeff Barker - Drums / Percussion
Although Jeff aspired to become a professional musician while in school, he settled on playing drums instead. After starting his career playing local clubs at the age of fifteen, he hit the road at seventeen and never looked back. Jeff moved to Branson in 1982 and started his new career playing the theaters there. Now, he's been at it for thirty years including twenty four years playing the Branson/Ozark theaters. He has been blessed to be able to work with many national recording artists and celebrities. Most recently, Jim Stafford, the Osmond Brothers, The Platters, David Frizzel and Shotgun Red. But his passion is playing rock, funk and blues with the club/show bands he's formed since coming to Branson. He's a "professional nice guy" and his dedication and love of his music is evident to everyone he works with. Ask Jeff how many instruments he plays, he'll tell you it depends on how many drums he's sitting behind. But, his family would be disappointed to find out he's a drummer, they just think he's in prison!
Barry Johnson - Bass & Vocals
Barry Johnson has lived in the Branson area for about 30 years and is also new to Cool Beenz. A natural singer, Barry has performed with such people as Mickey Gilley, Jeannie Kendall of the Kendalls and Delena Ditto. Barry is also an accomplished guitarist and bassist. He has performed at the "Pump Boys and Dinettes" Dinner theatre in Branson as well as the Pine Mountain Jamboree show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and several area club bands. He currently resides in Green Forest, Arkansas with his wife Misty and their 3 boys, Chris, Tyler and Matthew.
Cory Feaser - Guitar
Cory is pretty much the 'Green Bean' of the bunch; this is his first working band. He's been playing AT the guitar most of his life, but played mostly with himself until he met Teri, who is now his partner in crime with the 'Beenz'. As a roadie in some of Teri's previous band endeavors, he sat in on several songs and played percussion with cymbals strapped to his knees because they were shaking so much! He has overcome his fear of performing and now finds he just can't get enough! He doesn't sing because he realizes the main goal is to make an audience stay...you have to know your limitations. All in all, he's a great addition to the already seasoned 'Beenz'.
Wayne Severson - Guitar
What can be said about Wayne? At six foot six he is a presence which cannot be denied. When you watch him play there will be no doubt he feels and loves his music. A seasoned veteran of the road both on the national circuit with David Allan Coe and the club and casino circuits across the US, Wayne has once again returned to the Branson area to play with the caliber of musicians known to be here. Thirty years of experience can be gained in only one way; hands on, day by day....
Wayne is also a singer/songwriter and an avid fan of recording technology. Having had one CD released on Lion Feather Records with regional success, he is actively working on his second production which he hopes to finish this year. . . . . More....