DRIVING REIGN - Meet the Guys

Tim Spite

Tim started playing music at an early age. He remembers his older brother teaching him songs from hymnbooks. His mom would sing hymns or old country songs while they played to impress her friends.

After his dad bought an upright piano, Tim started playing around until he got a pretty good feel for it. At age 12 he played in the church choir and quartet. In high school he jammed with musicians in their garages.

Over the last 30 years Tim has played keys and bass with a variety of local club bands. A few included Gary as the lead vocalist.

Tim says, "Music has been extremely rewarding to me. It has opened doors for me to become acquainted with many wonderful people whom I otherwise would have never would have had the opportunity to meet."Driving Reign is by far the busiest band I've played in. Also the most enjoyable because we have such a loose format and area musician friends always feel welcome to get up and jam with us. Every night is different, and always very spontaneous."

“At Fifty years of age I realize I cant do this forever but when the band is jamming hot and the party is on the dance floor I begin playing at a whole new level and feed off of the energy of the crowd.At that moment in time I cant think of anyplace id rather be.

As long as were having fun with each other and all remain in good health, I see no end in sight for Driving Reign.

K J Hammerstein

K J... Well, where do I start? I guess I'll go back to the beginning! I was born in Danville, IL in 1976, moved to Phoenix, AZ around 1980, and then to Elkhart in 1990. I now reside in South Bend, IN.

My musical experience started when I went to concerts my dad was playing. I guess it must have gotten me interested, because as soon as it was available to me, I joined the school band, in fourth grade. I wanted to play sax, but rental was twice as much as the other instruments, so on a whim I chose the trombone.

Well, that fascination ended soon, and I realized that I wanted to play drums (not really sure why!). My dad and I went out to get a snare drum kit and I took a few private lessons. My junior high didn't have a band, so I lost interest yet again, and we moved to Elkhart. I think it was probably Aerosmith and Guns and Roses that really got me into drumming again. By the time we got to Elkhart, I knew I had to play drums. I got into school band (when they let me second semester) and taught myself to read music, put myself through the three Rubank drum books, and I was back in business.

From there, I was in Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Orchestra, Choir, Percussion ensemble, Jazz ensemble, Jazz choir, solo contests, you name it - a genuine band geek! I even learned to play trumpet and french horn in my senior year. Immediately after high school, I started playing live in bands.

I have played with Culture Riddem (reggae),Jewel & the Future (funk/rock/reggae), Fadda Wayne/One Blood (reggae), The Reproduction Band (R&B), In The Pocket (blues/R&B/rock), Champion (variety), I currently play with Driving Reign (rock/variety), Zanes Way(60's/Variety), and the occasional gig with the Outsiders(aka Climax).

Webmaster Email: Dave@IcemanTech.com

	Gary Hailey Gary sings and plays lead guitar for the band. He says he remembers being hooked on music since grade school. "There were no musical instruments in our house but I stayed glued to the radio. I also dumped many coins into the jukebox at a little neighborhood hamburger joint. I couldn't wait to hear the next new song. I'm sure I drove my brother and sisters crazy when I started buying records and listening to all of them over and over. I haven't stopped collecting music and I often pull out old hits to see if the band wants to cover them". Gary says he thinks of himself a singer who picked up some cool guitar chops along the way. "Singing, playing guitar and bass in previous bands have led to a diverse range of material which we present to our current audience. The first band I joined (many years ago) included Tim playing piano for a while and Joe playing drums. It’s so fun for me to look into the audience or on the dance floor and see people smiling and singing along while we play. My family and friends have given huge support through the years. The performing bug has bitten some of them too. It's soo cool to jam with them when we have the opportunity. I've enjoyed playing with many of the best local musicians as well. I'm very happy to now be jamming with these great guys we call Driving Reign".
Tim Spite Tim started playing music at an early age. He remembers his older brother teaching him songs from hymnbooks. His mom would sing hymns or old country songs while they played to impress her friends. After his dad bought an upright piano, Tim started playing around until he got a pretty good feel for it. At age 12 he played in the church choir and quartet. In high school he jammed with musicians in their garages. Over the last 30 years Tim has played keys and bass with a variety of local club bands. A few included Gary as the lead vocalist. Tim says, "Music has been extremely rewarding to me. It has opened doors for me to become acquainted with many wonderful people whom I otherwise would have never would have had the opportunity to meet."Driving Reign is by far the busiest band I've played in. Also the most enjoyable because we have such a loose format and area musician friends always feel welcome to get up and jam with us. Every night is different, and always very spontaneous." “At Fifty years of age I realize I cant do this forever but when the band is jamming hot and the party is on the dance floor I begin playing at a whole new level and feed off of the energy of the crowd.At that moment in time I cant think of anyplace id rather be. As long as were having fun with each other and all remain in good health, I see no end in sight for Driving Reign.
	Matt Webster Lead vocals, bass guitar, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica, occasional piano and drums, he has always remembered wanting to be a musician. Playing in Driving Reign has given Matt the opportunity to utilize all of these talents within one band. Matt has played for many local bands over the years. Some of them include The Urge, Lake Effect, The Kinetic’s, Krosen Roe, The Benders, Steve Foresman Band, Shake and Chill Blues Band and many country bands’ throughout the 1990’s. He is called upon to "fill in" for local acts when needed and enjoys recording with them on their CD projects. Kameleon Sound Studio’s is his recording studio in his home and has recorded many local acts demo CD’s and his own original music. He loves to write and enjoys performing for the fan’s that see the band. Thanks to all.
K J Hammerstein K J... Well, where do I start? I guess I'll go back to the beginning! I was born in Danville, IL in 1976, moved to Phoenix, AZ around 1980, and then to Elkhart in 1990. I now reside in South Bend, IN. My musical experience started when I went to concerts my dad was playing. I guess it must have gotten me interested, because as soon as it was available to me, I joined the school band, in fourth grade. I wanted to play sax, but rental was twice as much as the other instruments, so on a whim I chose the trombone. Well, that fascination ended soon, and I realized that I wanted to play drums (not really sure why!). My dad and I went out to get a snare drum kit and I took a few private lessons. My junior high didn't have a band, so I lost interest yet again, and we moved to Elkhart. I think it was probably Aerosmith and Guns and Roses that really got me into drumming again. By the time we got to Elkhart, I knew I had to play drums. I got into school band (when they let me second semester) and taught myself to read music, put myself through the three Rubank drum books, and I was back in business. From there, I was in Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Orchestra, Choir, Percussion ensemble, Jazz ensemble, Jazz choir, solo contests, you name it - a genuine band geek! I even learned to play trumpet and french horn in my senior year. Immediately after high school, I started playing live in bands. I have played with Culture Riddem (reggae),Jewel & the Future (funk/rock/reggae), Fadda Wayne/One Blood (reggae), The Reproduction Band (R&B), In The Pocket (blues/R&B/rock), Champion (variety), I currently play with Driving Reign (rock/variety), Zanes Way(60's/Variety), and the occasional gig with the Outsiders(aka Climax).
	Joe Fovary Joe was born in Budapest Hungary. His family moved to Germany. In 1969 they came to America and naturalized as US citizens in 1979. As a youngster, Joe took 5 years of drum lessons at the Eddy Knight Studio. He soon joined an AC/DC cover band called "Voltage". This brought him to the attention of many local cover bands of the 80's. Shortly after the disbanding of Voltage, Joe joined a band called "Splitt Second". This progressive band with the incredible guitar power of Richard Decka, the sax, harmonica and voice of Fred Gaboury, Tim Spite on keyboards and Gary Hailey singing and playing guitar, performed locally for a couple of years. "We covered everything from Hendrix, Muddy Waters & Zeppelin to The James Gang, Beatles & Steely Dan.” Joe's next several years were spent with a very busy regional road band. Finally returning to the comforts of a local setting, he joined up again with former Splitt Second band mate, baseman Dave McCubbins. The pair made up the rhythm section for a while with "VanKamp" in the 90's. Joe is now with Driving Reign. He says he’s "loving every minute of it". He and KJ often share the stage at Driving Reign gigs. Whether taking turns behind the drums or KJ playing bass while Joe holds down the beat, these two are the ultimate rhythm section.