| Drummer JIM PETRO provides the drive that is a vital component of today’s country music. Jim, a former rock drummer, has performed professionally since 1983, including tours with full- time traveling country bands, including Buckshot. Jim also performed with Cleveland-area rock bands, including Onyx and Roxx. His hard-driving playing style provides a solid foundation for the unique CONESTOGA sound. He studied business administration at Cleveland State University and is the band’s business manager. Jim is known throughout the area for honesty and fairness in his business dealings. In the words of Cleveland Country's Tim Rizzo, Jim's word is gold. DON WEAVER began playing upright bass in 1967 and has performed professionally since 1971. A former rock musician, Don works with Jim to provide the foundation for the CONESTOGA sound. He is one of the band’s backing vocalists and occasionally sings lead vocals. He has performed in many bands, including the Akron-based Doors tribute band Morrison Hotel. Don, the band’s technical specialist, is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. STEVE HYLTON is returning for his second "tour" with CONESTOGA. Steve, like the rest of us, is a "lifer" musician who started playing in bands in 1984. Steve was a big part of CONESTOGA's renaissance in 2003. He had to leave the band for personal reasons in June 2006. After a brief stint with LAREDO in late 2008, Steve, a true "Master of the Stratocaster", is back home with CONESTOGA! He brings his own brand of energy and passion to each live performance! Come experience it first-hand at a place near you! JOHN DIETRICH has returned to CONESTOGA for a second "tour of duty". John performed in the well-known traveling band HIGH RIDIN' HEROES for most of the '90s before joining CONESTOGA in 1998. During his days with the HEROES, John opened for many national acts. John left CONESTOGA in 2003 and performed in several bands from 2003 until he re-joined CONESTOGA this year. John can do many things well...lead vocals, backing vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and fiddle!! He has been performing for more than 30 years. Welcome back, John!! We welcome lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist JOE NINER to CONESTOGA. Joe is a Canton native who recently returned home from Nashville, Tennessee, where he was pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter for 5 1/2 years. He is a member of BMI Nashville and has jammed with a variety of musicians, including the Dancehall Doctors (Tim McGraw's band) and Vern Gosdin. Joe comes from a long line of musical talent and has been performing for more than 25 years! CONESTOGA uses no pre-recorded tracks, no MIDI, no drum machines, no bass machines...all music is performed LIVE. Where we come from, people singing (and playing) using pre-recorded instrumental music OF ANY KIND is called KARAOKE. It's just not a live band! |
CONESTOGA
| CONESTOGA BIOS |
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