| SHOTGUN BAND Raw musical talent and experience brings together four Ashtabula community residents to form the Shotgun Band. The band got together in October of 2003 to perform what was to be a spur of the moment, thrown together gig for a one night performance, affectionately known as the "Deer Hunter’s Widows Dance", and has been together ever since. The name of the band derives from that first gig based on the occasion. Lead guitarist & fiddle player, Jeff Stump, was sitting in a bar one day and was approached by the manager asking if he could throw together a band in less than two weeks for the "Deer Hunters Widows". Jeff, who had just returned to the area after living out west for many years, called cousin Donny Stump, and in less than two weeks "Shotgun'' was formed and played to a packed house. Since then they have played many venues, switched bass players a couple of times, and have earned a following due to the talent and versatility of these guys. This band can run the gamut from the classic country days of Ray Price and Johnny Cash to the southern rock of Lynard Skynard, classic rock of BTO and Elvis or anything and everything in between. You just never know what to expect from one moment to the next going from county to rock with original music thrown in once in a while rust because they can! Drummer, Jim Batanian, hails from Ashtabula and has been playing drums in many different bands and venues for over 25 years. He provides some lead and back up vocals as well. His experience and talents have been heard in the area in such bands as "Coast to Coast", "Loose Change" and of course "Raising Cane", which also included current band members Donny Stump and Jerry Goodman. Bass player Jerry Goodman hails from Kellogsville and also has over 25 years experience. Affectionately known as "buddy" to the rest of the band, Jerry was brought up with a very musical background. His mother Judy Goodman, played and sang music back in the days "when country music was real country music''. From birth Buddy has had music in his life and it shows in his talent for not only playing a great bass. But to providing lead and back up vocals. Buddy's playing experience also includes such well known bands as "Raising Cane'', "Gone Country'' and "Southwind''. Lead guitarist and vocalist Donny Stump has been playing since he was about 12 years old. His well known father, Johnny Stump, was the "fiddler extraordinaire" back in the day, and was also talented from birth. His dad could play anything with strings on it along with a pretty mean accordian, and played Bluegrass and country music all across the nation. Dad came home one day with a beautiful new guitar, hid it under the bed and said, "don't touch!" Of course, Donny just couldn’t do that, and learned to play that guitar (with dad's blessing) with his brothers. Along with brother Lonnie they formed a band as teenagers known as "DOA'', that played a lot of shows in the Conneaut area. They actually had to get a permission slip from their parents to play some shows. Donny went on to play mostly rock music in "Dealer" and then on to some country with "Raising Cane" and a band called "Riddler's Ramblers'', with good friends Cecil Riddle and Jerry Goodman. Donny brings most of the rock & roll music to this band making a great combination with Jeff's country background to provide the variety this band has. Fiddler Jeff Stump also plays lead guitar with lead & harmony vocals, and has played music since he can remember. He comes from such a musically talented background with both his mother and his father that it was inevitable he would play and sing. His mother was lead and harmony singer and bass player for well known local band "The Lower Trio". Jeff filled in on occasion with that band in his youth, playing anything from steel guitar, to lead guitar, to bass, whatever the need was. His talent from birth only gets better with age. He can play any instrument with strings on it and has performed across the country in various bands such as "Ronnie Sessions & The Bullet Band", "Jeff Allen Band" and "The Stump Brothers Band". His talent stretches from country to Bluegrass to rock & roll, and his versatility shows in the music. The combined talents & showmanship are obvious on stage and shows in the smiles of the audience. Whatever the occasion is, this band is prepared to tickle your musical fancy. Whether it’s country, southern rock or classic rock & roll, Shotgun Band is sure to please. |
