Bios

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BRYAN COLLINS - Lead Vocal, Trombone, Guitar

Originally from Jackson, Tennessee, Bryan attended MTSU and the Armed Forces School of Music.

Bryan has been playing music in Middle Tennessee since 1991.  Bryan has played with many groups through the years and enjoys playing every genre of music, including Jazz, Classical, Country, and Rock.  He formed Stoopid Kool in 2010 with guitarist and longtime friend Max Johns and singer Courtenay Shipley and hasn't looked back!

TORI AUSTIN - Lead Vocal

Hailing from the rainy streets of Seattle and the sunny hills of the Bay Area, Tori is a versatile vocalist and musician with a love for all genres.  She's belted on stages with rock and metal bands, along with singing in classical choirs since the age of nine.  Tori has won vocal competitions, including the GSAC and The Voice of the Ocean!

Currently, she's attending Belmont University, studying Audio Engineering.  Her motto? "Make music sound good and make it loud!"

JOEY HODGE - Lead Vocal, Piano

Born and raised in Talladega, AL, Joey has been playing rock, blues and gospel music in one ensemble or another for nearly forty years. He’s also composed a fair share of music for tv, even taking home an Emmy Award in 2014 for cowriting the score to a PBS documentary. 

JACK GRANGER - Lead Guitar

Originally from Upstate NY, Jack has been playing live music and teaching for 10+ years. He received an Associate’s Degree in Audio Engineering and Music Theory from Finger Lakes Community College. After teaching at a local record store and playing with multiple groups around the Upstate NY area, he moved to Nashville in 2017 to attend Belmont University’s Commercial Guitar Performance program where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. In addition to being a band member of Stoopid Kool & the Kiss My Brass Horns, he is a private music instructor offering lessons for multiple instruments in music technique, theory, and technology. 

FRANK FISH - Bass, Vocals

Frank has been playing music since age 6, beginning with piano and subsequently, adding saxophone, bassoon, guitar, and Bass.  He studied for several years with Roy Vogt at Belmont University and has been a regular participant in jazz ensembles at the Nashville Jazz Workshop for more than 25 years, along with playing exclusively bass in multiple styles and settings, ranging from jazz fusion ensembles,  Musical Theatre, big bands, rock and blues bands, and acoustic Songwriter Trios.  

LAWRENCE "YODA" BAILEY - Drums, Vocals

Graduate of MTSU and Brother in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Yoda is one of the few true Nashville natives and has been a strong presence in the Nashville music scene for over 30 years. 

WYATT ANDERSON - Tenor Sax / Flute

Originally from Ketchikan, AK, Wyatt has been performing for over 11 years and has been teaching for about 5 years. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from Troy University before moving to the Middle Tennessee area. As a woodwind doubler, he has experience playing many styles of music from classical, jazz, blues, and funk. Wyatt currently works as a private instructor and performer.

JESSE GIBENS - Trumpet

From Tokyo to Rome, Honolulu, and even Carnegie Hall, Jesse has electrified the stage with his versatile trumpet playing!  Spanning genres from rock and jazz to blues and classical, Jesse is a proud Nashville resident where he teaches and performs session work.

BRANDON MITCHELL - Trumpet 

Originally from Meridian, MS, Brandon has been playing trumpet for over 15 years.  He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education from the University of Mississippi and has been performing in various ensembles in the Nashville area and works as a trumpet instructor and performer.

MARGARET COMPTON - Trombone

Originally from Le Roy, NY, Margaret studied the trombone under Professor James DeSano at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.  Margaret has enjoyed playing in various ensembles in the area focusing on Jazz, Funk, Ska, and Classical music.  

RYAN GAINES - aka 'TRIP' - Sound Engineer

Army Veteran Ryan Gaines was Born in Atlanta and moved to Detroit in 1978.  He's been involved in the "Detroit Sound" running the mixing board for churches, schools, and local artists until he joined the Army in 1995.  After serving in Saudi Arabia with the "Rakkasans" (the 101st Airborne, 187th Infantry Battalion), he moved to Nashville in 2001 and has continued his love of engineering live sound.