Meet the Band
J. Scott Thompson - Guitar, Vocals
A seasoned professional with over 20 years experience in the music business, Thompson has played with or opened for legendary artists such as Steve Cropper, Leon Russell, Jimmy Hall, and Charlie Daniels to name a few. He has gained the status of being one of hardest working musicians on the circuit playing 150+ live shows a year on stages from Maine to Florida to Colorado and all places in between. His first two albums, Meant to Be and Live at the High Lonesome, met with critical acclaim and adoring fan appreciation.
Brent McDonald - Guitar, Vocals
Originally from Columbia South Carolina, Brent settled in the West Cobb area in 2010. Brent is a guitarist/vocalist and holds a bachelors degree in music performance from Lander University. He has been performing professionally and teaching for 20 years. Early in his career he spent seven years touring in an original rock band sharing the stage with national acts such as Maroon 5, Edwin McCain, and Vertical Horizon. Currently you can find Brent playing in the northwest Georgia area as a solo act or with the corporate band Big Day. When he is not on stage, coaching baseball, or chauffeuring kids around town, he enjoys spending time with his family. Brent has an amazing and extremely supportive wife, Brandy, and three beautiful and talented children Carter, Bennett, and
Ava. For more information about Brent go to brentmcdonaldmusic.com.
Dave Schliesmann - Piano, Vocals, Arrangements
Born in Newfoundland, Canada, Dave learned to play music thanks to a very patient father. In true Canadian fashion, his father would teach him new songs during hockey game intermissions. Dave grew up playing mostly guitar in high school bands until the demand for keyboard players convinced him to change instruments. A passionate singer and songwriter, Dave’s warm vocal style and incredible musicianship lends itself to many styles of music. He is father to four beautiful children and a grandfather to one.
Jon Chalden - Drums
Atlanta-based drummer Jon Chalden been playing professionally for over 35 years. After graduating from the nationally-recognized jazz program at Decatur (IL) MacArthur High School directed by Jim Culbertson, he cut his teeth in various Midwest rock, jazz, and R&B acts, honing a very song-oriented style that has created an in-demand schedule of live and studio dates. He has performed and/or recorded with Chuck Berry, Sheryl Crow, Richard “Groove” Holmes, CCM artist Aaron Shust (including recording the 2007 Dove Awards Song Of The Year “My Saviour, My God”), Steve Fee,
Candi Pearson-Shelton, Oliver Wood of the Wood Brothers, Babbie Mason, Francine Reed, Brian Culbertson, Michael Gleason, Citizen Cope and many others.
Joe Reda - Bass
Joe is a versatile in-demand bassist with over 40 years of experience playing professionally. Joe has performed live and recorded in just about every genre, with hundreds of artists including GMA and Dove award winning artist Babbie Mason and Grammy Award winning guitar heroes Earl Klugh and Larry Carlton. Joe plays regularly with the Atlanta's premier corporate party band The Rupert's Orchestra. As the bassist of the praise team at Church of the Apostles, Joe regularly plays with Mac Powell of Third Day as well as guest artists including Shane and Shane, Big Daddy Weave, Sara Groves and Aaron Shust, among others. He is known for playing what is just right in each musical setting and making it feel great. Joe is a graduate of the Millikin University Commercial Music program, an American Federation of Musicians member and a voting member of the Recording Academy (Grammys).
The Clocktower of Power
An elite horn section for hire based out of Rome, Georgia. A collective of some of Northwest Georgia’s premier professional musicians, the Clocktower of Power has enhanced many of the area’s biggest musical productions with their hard-hitting, tight, and clean sound. Marc Johnson (saxophone/woodwinds/arrangements), Adam Daniel (trumpet/flugelhorn), and Anthony Avitollo (trombone) are the core members of the group and their years of experience working together result in truly impeccable performances in both live and studio settings.
