Darryl Reed-Lead Vocals
Lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player Darryl Reed, also plays harmonica and steel guitar. With a love of the southern sound, the Florida born singer brings an authentic feel to the group. Darryl has shared the stage with notable recording artists such as Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Mel Tillis and numerous others. Among his many credits are appearances on television and radio.He has toured in Canada and throughout the U.S. Influenced by bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Allman Bros, Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker just to name a few.
Michael Finn-Lead Guitar
Michael started playing the guitar when he was about 10 years old. He started out learning old folk songs, but soon progressed to more current artists that he was discovering such as John Denver and Johnny Cash, eventually cutting his teeth on The Beatles. That quartet led him to the holy trinity of British-Blues influenced rock guitarists Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. These guitar prodigies in turn opened Mike’s ears to the world of Jazz and Fusion where he found George Benson, Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny and bands such as Steely Dan. Through the years Mike has been particularly influenced by the harmony-slide methods of George Harrison and also the styles of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts of The Allman Brother’s Band. These unique approaches to the guitar fit perfectly with the Southern Rock theme of SouthBound, his current musical driving force and passion-filled project!
Mike Hunter-Drums
Mike started banging on things at age 5. Since then he’s developed a drum style that captures a bit of each of his influences. Those influences include such greats as John Bonham, Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, and many others.Mike’s band credits are nearly too long to list. He’s played with Entourage, Chalice, Strange Behavior, Subtle Thunder, Radio Flyers, Hip Shot, and various others.He developed his talent in the top of a barn in Calimesa, California. The barn was well known for musical talent, and was the place to jam and party in the 1980’s. In fact, Mike jammed with Michael Anthony of Van Halen and the great BB Dickerson of War. Mike has recorded with many bands, and at at Warner Bros.
Kevin Haerr-Bass
Kevin’s first inspiration was an Elvis 45 RPM record, “Hound Dog” and the B-side “Too Much”. Over and over he climbed up on a chair to reach the record player to sing along, then guitar lessons at Gelb Music in Redwood City, CA – yes, the store is still there. It was all about Rock & Roll in the 60’s and 70’s, with lots of acoustic singer-songwriter influences. The 80’s were family and songwriting time. In the 90’s, while recording tracks on new songs, electric bass became a “Wow!!” experience that stuck. Many bands later, and with many years of live performances at Casinos, Resort Hotels, Parks & Festivals, its still about Rock & Roll.
Skynyrd and Frynds Team
Steve Gauronski, AKA “Stevie G” – Lead Guitar
Steve was a longtime friend and occasional Audio Engineer for Southbound And Company before joining their Lynyrd Skynyrd and Frynds tribute on guitar in 2016. He began his musical journey in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s as a bassist, playing with various local cover and original Rock bands. By the age of 19 he was already performing at some of Southern California’s most popular night clubs. In 1994 he switched to Lead Guitar, and for the next 20 years performed a wide variety of popular Rock and Dance music in countless night clubs and casinos all over Southern California. Stevie G has earned a reputation as an articulate and melodic guitarist with precise attention to detail. His first love is Classic Rock, and it just so happens that the first album he ever bought back in 1974 was “Lynyrd Skynyrd Second Helping”.
Patrick Vargas – Keyboards
Patrick Vargas is an active, Southern California-based composer, musical director and performer (on keys, drums, guitar and electronics). These days he puts his Master’s degree in Ethnomusicology to use by playing the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd all over the U.S. with SouthBound’s Skynyrd & Frynds tribute, as well as accompanying, composing, and music-directing for many dance and theatre programs around the SoCal region. He also performs solo and with the agit-prog band Umbra Vita. In the recent past he has served as a producer, host and musician for various burlesque shows in the Los Angeles area. Patrick is also a talented freelance graphic designer whose specialties are calendars and vintage typography.
Cyndi Lopez – Backing Vocals
Cyndi grew up in California and has been singing for over thirty-five years. She began her career performing in local musical theater companies at the early age of 5. Because music was such an important part of her life, it was only natural that in her early teens she began competing in classical vocal competitions throughout the West Coast. Featured as a soloist in every choir in which she sang, in 1994 Cyndi was selected as a member of the very prestigious Southern California Honor Choir. Then at the age of 18, Cyndi was signed as an R&B recording artist with an independent record label. She continued performing leading roles in several musical theater productions and decided to return to school to study vocals at the college level. Cyndi has obtained a very strong reputation for the strength of her stunning four-octave voice, versatile singing styles and overall power. In 2004, Cyndi started singing lead vocals/fronting in her first live band, UndercoveR, which was an excellent growing experience and prepared her for her next band-ON THE ROXX and now Southbound and Company!
Wendy Kay – Backing Vocals
Wendy’s singing experience spans a lifetime. Growing up around a family of pickers and singers, every gathering was a jam session that would lead to a love for music. Choir was a constant throughout her school career, ending on a great note as part of the Madrigals. After college, she spent time performing as the lead singer and co-lyricist for the band “Strange Behavior”. During this time she was honored to do background vocals that can be found on Steve Meyer’s “Dreams in the Promised Land”. For three years, she enjoyed traveling the Inland Empire as a “Singing Valentine” for hire, as well as performing in “Sing-Sation”, a top-40 style group. Then it was back to rock with the “Hunter Family Band” singing lead and background. Wendy has performed vocals as a soloist for many festivals, talent contests, and sporting events, including singing The National Anthem. Wendy has been in numerous community theatre productions, as well as professional productions as an ensemble member. Her solo theatre credits include Bloody Mary in “South Pacific”, with Heartland Players in Yucaipa, and professionally she performed at The California Theatre as Rosie the Riveter in “Company B”, an original musical. Wendy is happy to be back touring with a live rock band having the time of her life!
