Ken Cassabon

Kenny's vocals are like no other. Sometimes smooth as silk, other times raw as a bear's growl. One thing's for certain, when you listen to Kenny perform, you feel it. You understand the emotion that comes from Kenny's voice as it seeps into your soul. Kenny is a big man with a big heart. He puts every ounce of energy he has into every note he sings. Kenny began his craft at a young age on the rough streets of Detroit. He began by emulating his heroes, people like Jackie (Mr. Excitement) Wilson, Sam Cook and Al Green. He also appreciated a good bar room growl from singers like Mitch Ryder, Bob Seager and Bruce Springsteen. At the tender age of 14, Kenny began to perform in clubs throughout the Detroit and Ann Arbor Area. Before Kenny turned 21 he was performing with one of the most popular club bands in the Detroit area; The Diddleys. In 1981 Ken was accepted into the music program at Western Michigan. Moving to Kalamazoo at the age of 23 to attend school, he found that he learned more from the local clubs than from the classroom. What he learned was a love for the blues, and a realization that blues was the foundation for the motown and rock & roll that he loved so much. Ken then proceeded to become one of the most well known performers in Kalamazoo, working with bands such as 7th Sun, Blues House, Night Train, and Loaded Dice. Kenny was one of the founders of the Kalamazoo Blues Fest and the South Bend Firefighters Blues Fest. Kalamazoo & Detroit sorely miss this man. Michiana is very lucky to have him.

Steve Proctor

Despite being a relative newcomer to the performing arena in the Michiana area, Steve's articulate style of playing guitar, along with his expertise in writing and arranging have made the blues community stand up and take notice. Steve plays a clean guitar. His rhythms are smooth and his leads are energized. Steve draws his creativity from a wealth of knowledge for the blues and it's history. His instincts for arranging are uncanny. So much so that the veteran musicians in the band, who have been performing and arranging blues music in the area for decades, have no problem giving up the reigns to Steve when he has a vision for a song. They know from experience that the results will be professional and entertaining. For those of you who are not yet familiar with Steve's work, guaranteed you can look forward to appreciating a master musician working at his craft.

John Smeltzer

John's bass playing is solid as a rock. He says that bass playing is not about fancy frills and flash but rather timing and pocket. John feels that the drummer is the engine, and the bass player is the driver of the band. He says the last thing you want, is the driver speeding up and slowing down, swerving back and forth, doing donuts and showing off. You want him solid, driving right down the middle of the road, steady and smooth, laying down the pocket for the others to fall into. It is this approach that has made John one of the most respected, sought after, veteran musicians in the Michiana area. John has been in bands with local celebrities from Harvey Stauffer (All Star Blues Band,1980-1988) to Jim Hill (Hill St. Blues 1998-2001). He has shared the stage with blues greats from Koko Taylor to Eddie Clearwater and Larry McCray. Need we say more!

Dave Henry

The newest member of the band, Dave Henry has had quite a musical career before joining the Rhythm Ratz. Dave's first gig in the early 80s was with Ron Buffington, a very well known singer/songwriter from Michigan City, Indiana. Ron had a successful album in the Chicago area that allowed the band to perform at some very memorable gigs, including Chicago Fest at Navy pier in front of 5,000 people. After that Dave toured the United States for a year performing with a very talented singer and B3 player named Steve Pomberg. Dave spent the last 13 years as a core member of the Elwood Splinters Blues Band with Harvey Stauffer, probably the most well known blues act in the Michiana area. This allowed Dave to perform on stage with many of the blues greats such as Koko Taylor, Lonnie & Ronnie Brooks, The legendary Muddy Waters Blues Band, Rod Piazza, Son Seals & the list goes on and on. Dave has had the pleasure of performing at the hottest festivals & clubs around. Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, Slippery Noodle in Indy, The Blues & Ribs fest at St Pat's Park, and the Firefighter's Blues Fest in South Bend just to name a few. Dave's hot sax playing and solid keyboard chops add some nice colors to the Rhythm Ratz's palette.

Gary Isle

Gary began playing the drums in Junior high school, and formed his first band at fifteen. By sixteen he was gigging in local clubs in Terre Haute with local Favorite "Dusty Rhodes & The Road Runners". Gary then attended Indiana State University where he majored in music and music performance. It was here that he was introduced to the jazz/blues genre. After a four year stint in the U.S. Navy he began playing in the northern Virginia area sharing the stage with local blues musicians, to include on one occasion Virginia native Bruce Hornsby. Returning to Indiana, Gary frequented blues jams to broaden his musical spectrum. During this period, Gary had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such well known musicians as Duke Tomato and Governor Davis, and that helped solidify him into rhythm and blues music. The opportunity to join the "Rhythm Ratz" presented Gary with the vehicle to play the music he has loved for so many years. community-2.webtv.net/kalamazookenny Since taking the throne with Kalamazoo Kenny he has had the honor of opening for such greats as Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Eddie Shaw and Ronnie Baker Brooks. Gary says "even folks who don't particularly like the blues, like us because we have fun and we're fun to watch".