Band Member Biographies
Johnny Farmer - Bass, Vocals
Reared in Raleigh, Johnny has been playing and singing for MANY years... too many bands to mention. Currently playing with an original rock band, R-JET, they have a lot of studio time but not playing out much... this allows time for The Fifty/50 Band. John has played with Hal Lilly (drummer) in many bands over the years [mostly yesteryears] and enjoys the energy shared between them when bustin' a groove, playing music from his favorite genres. They have been known to have an extremely LARGE time.
Donald “Donnie” Fowler - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Donnie's dad gave him his first guitar when he was 12 years old and he's been soaking it up ever since. Heavily influenced by Elvis, The Beatles, Johnny Rivers and many different country artists, he mixes his style with a bit of rock & roll and country. Suffers from a severe case of GAS (guitar acquisition syndrome). Don’t get this guy in a music store or give him a music catalog. He is constantly telling his wife that each purchase will be the last one.
Keith Hoeppner - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Keith is the late bloomer of the band. He started teaching himself guitar the night hurricane Fran came through Raleigh in 1996. Having been a music lover all of his life, he hung out with the bands Hal Lilly played with and went to many concerts in his younger years. Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin were his favorite concerts. His infuences are Mark Knopfler, Steve Earle, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles. He recorded an instrumental CD in 2002, “Splittin’ Hairs”. He feels very lucky to be playing good music with good friends he has known most of his life.
Hal Lilly - Drums & Percussion
Hal saw The Beatles in 1964 on the Ed Sullivan Show. This changed his life. His cool Uncle Lewis, who was a jazz drummer in the sixties, taught him to play drums and he hasn’t stopped since. He played in his first band at age 10. Over the years he has played with local bands such as The Wildcats, The Collegiate Combo, Buck Rodgers Electric String and Keyboard Band, United Sound, Areoflyte, and Skippers Wheel. His favorite garage band is The Fifty\50 Band. Likes the set up. Good friends, no egos, and tight, diverse, rock and roll.
Sharon Lilly - Vocals
After playing lap dulcimer and singing with best friends on the streets of Portland, Oregon, Sharon moved to Florida. There she met, (she asked him out), and a great rock and roll drummer, Hal Lilly. (Couldn’t find a bass player.) The rest is history. The Fifty\50 Band started practicing in Sharon and Hal’s garage in January, 2005. The band decided that they needed a woman to spice things up. All is going well.
Harold Gupton - Manager
Harold’s early influences were all the local musicians playing sock hops and dances. Everything was great until he saw Jimi Hendrix at Dorton Arena....opened a whole other side to music. Then he was fortunate enough to have friends hear this band from Macon, Georgia.....The Allman Brothers Band.....and he has been a faithful follower for over 35 years. Harold said “I am very fortunate to have some old friends who think enough of me to have invited me to their practices...and the magic is recreated every time we get together.
Thanks guys...Peace”
-HG
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