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Matty Spinelli is what every band needs to succeed. His easy-going style
and great sense of humor make him the ideal band
mate.
Born and raised in the "Little Italy" section of New York City in 1960,
Matty had guitar lessons forced on him at the tender age of nine.
Wanting nothing more than to play sports, he gave up playing after
just a few lessons. In the summer of 1973 Matty discovered Eric
Clapton and his musical life changed forever. He got a hold of some old blues albums, and started to teach himself how to
play, relentlessly practicing night after night.
The
early 1980s music didn't appeal much to Matty so he once again gave up
guitar and worked behind the scenes in music. It wasn't long before a
blues guitarist by the name of Stevie Ray Vaughan single-handedly renewed his passion
for playing. After moving to Phoenix in the early 1990s, he dusted
off of his trusty '76 Strat and beautiful cherry-burst Les Paul and sought musicians
who shared his
passion for the blues. Needless to say this brought him straight to the BluesHounds.
Vocalist Karin Carmen - A.K.A. Special K - belts out the blues
like a seasoned vet and brings a raspy emotional edge to the sound of
the Blueshounds.
Born in Augsburg, Germany, Special K grew up a military
brat, traveling worldwide with her family. Working as a professional
entertainer, she's lived in New York City, Miami,
Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Seattle, Tokyo, Bermuda, Lake Tahoe and
Brussels.
Although K has always had a love affair with the blues, this is
her first opportunity to really sing the blues exclusively.
She started her career in musical theater, branched out to top
40, R & B and Rock & Roll and then went on to perform in large Las Vegas
style productions.
Special K enjoys writing songs, playing keyboards and producing
music at her home studio in Anthem, AZ.
Dennis "FLAVA" Valentine has a flavor all his own. The day he blew
into the Blueshound's rehearsal is a day we will never forget!
A legend in his own mind, Dennis began life thinking his first name was
"Turn it down!" He grew up emulating a vast genre of music, especially
the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. Originally from the East Coast -
specifically Florida's West Coast - he migrated to the Washington
D.C./Maryland area where he lived for years. He now resides here in the
Southwest hiding from the Karma police.
Growing up in Northern Indiana, Micheal heard Rock and Roll’s siren call
at an early age. Micheal received his first bass guitar exactly 22
hours after the infamous Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and he’s been
playing in bands ever since. He credits the Beatles and Indiana
musicians, Gene Jones and Phil Everingham (“two of the finest players
you’ve never heard of”), as his biggest and greatest influences (come
on, you know you want to Google it!).
Dennis has been in more bands, duos and solos than he can remember (yes, he grew up in the 60’s & 70’s). Having an ability to play many diverse styles of music as a multi instrumentalist enables him to
bring a unique style and great
energy to the Blueshounds. With this talented musician's relaxed sense
of humor, there is never a dull moment.
Transplanted from the UK in 1994, Peter Hall was brought up with the likes
of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Paul Butterfield and other
luminaries from across the pond.
For years Peter played with various bands around Pittsburgh, PA before
relocating to AZ in 2006. He bounced to and fro around Phoenix before landing with
the Blues Hounds in 2008.
A percussionist with a finesse and style all his own, Peter approaches
the blues from a jazz perspective.
Micheal enjoys the energy of the Blueshounds
and provides the band with rich, warm, rock-solid bottom end as well
as his keen fashion sense. Oh - and did we mention he's one of the
nicest people ever?!!?!!?
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When mixed with various rock
influences, this combination propels the Hounds from laid back
melancholy to explosive frenzy!
Peter is a delight to work with and the Hounds are proud to welcome such
a solid and attentive groove-maker to the mix.
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