SOLID GOLD THRILL RIDE!
Kevin Dodson - Drums, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar, Lead & Back-up Vocals
"Kevy D" says ‘...”You’re ALL in the Carnival...At every Smash Hit Carnival show”!!!
As founding member and producer of the Smash Hit Carnival stage show, it will come as no surprise that "Kevy D" comes from an extensive entertainment and show band background. As a key member of the hugely successful Northwest show band phenomenon, "Men In The Making" for the last 14 years, his experience in this genre is obvious to all who see "Smash Hit Carnival". Kevin is also a professional "first call" studio musician with extensive performing, recording, touring and song writing experience. He currently works in audio production for film & television with original material and recorded performances all over network and cable television. Kevin travels all over the world to perform as drummer / percussionist with Peter Rivera from "Rare Earth" fame. He shares this honor with Smash Hit Carnival bassist, Kris Knutson. Kevy D has opened for acts such as Loverboy, The Drifters, B.J. Thomas, Juice Newton, Grand Funk Railroad, Del Shannon, the Edgar Winter Group and many more. One of the most entertaining segments of a Smash Hit Carnival show is Kevin's incredible impersonation of Johnny Cash! He not only looks and sounds like the man in black but adds his own distinct comical flair to the act as well! Hilarious! This coupled with characters of his own creation ( Fester Cornwall ) as well as the outrageous Chris Farley ( Matt Foley Motivational Speaker ) make for a comical evening of fun and laughter! Kevin's incredible sense of humor and rapport with the audience is only one of the unique talents he brings to every Smash Hit Carnival performance!
Valerie Stichweh - Lead & Back-up Vocals
Valerie started her singing career at the tender age of three and has been simply astounding listeners with her powerful, soulful voice ever since! Val has opened for national acts like Big House, Freddie Fender, Doug Supernaw and Sherrie Austin. She has been a featured performer at Silverwood Theme Park, traveled to Nashville to take part in TNN's "Charlie Daniel's Talent Round Up" and took 1st place in the FROG 96 FM country music singer contest. Val has been in various theatre productions and has proven herself to be a versatile and dynamic performer. When you witness Val going from an incredible Tina Turner act to her hilarious Michael Jackson bit, you will be simply amazed at her versatility!! She covers a simply incredible range of voices and personas as she takes you through an exciting look back at some of popular music's most memorable stars! Her multiple costume changes coupled with her fun and cute stage persona truly makes every Smash Hit Carnival show a memorable experience. Valerie will capture your attention and keep your eyes glued to the action on stage as she changes effortlessly through a dizzying 20 or more costume changes throughout any Smash Hit Carnival Show! Whew!! Though small in stature, Valerie has an unbelievably huge voice that will have you telling everyone you know about this beautiful, talented young singer you've just witnessed in Smash Hit Carnival!
Kevin Wakefield - Keyboards, Guitars, Accordion, Trumpet, Lead & Back-up Vocals
Kevin got his start way back in the analog synth days as an endorsement artist for Moog, and has gone on to program some of today’s most successful orchestral CD-ROM titles. As a programmer he has had the privilege of working with some of the finest artists in the industry today. Kevin has programmed various music projects for film, television, studio and stage. What makes him unique is the fact that he is not just a techno wizard "behind the scenes" as an arranger, engineer and producer . He’s also been in the trenches as a musician, performer and entertainer as well. His creativity and passion are expressed in literally everything he does. Kevin’s work is an expression of his creativity, gleaned from the variety of musical experiences he has enjoyed over the years. It's not uncommon to see Kevin play up to three instruments in one song, switching from keys to trumpet and accordion back to keys again! Busy, busy!! Kevin hams it up real good with his versions of Little Richard, John Travolta in "Grease" and even a very funny Weird Al Yankovitch! Kevin also has a character of his own creation in the cute and funny Mariachi trumpet player, "Horhay"! With his "larger than life" fun and spontaneous stage persona and gifted comical skills, Kevin makes every Smash Hit Carnival show explode with energy and excitement that you simply don't want to miss!
Guy Caillouet - Guitars, Keyboards, Lead & Back-up Vocals
Guitarist, keyboard player, singer / songwriter Guy Caillouet grew up in Houston, Texas and has been playing professionally since the age of sixteen. After years of touring and opening for such acts as Michael Murphy,
Pat Travers Band, It’s a Beautiful Day, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Emmy Lou Harris, and Headeast among others, Guy settled in Spokane, WA. to start the next phase of his professional life. Guy , like many of the other "Smash Hit Carnies", has extensive studio experience and has recorded jingles, promos and independent projects with the “cream
of the crop” of the local Spokane area production community. He is a highly skilled musician who is constantly working towards perfection, both on and off the stage. Guy was a founding member of the local favorite top 40 group “Kidd Sister” and gained valuable experience by conceiving many of their most popular stage acts. Guy's blinding blues chops and incredible resemblence to the blues giant, Stevie Ray Vaughn will just floor you! Guy is one of those players that is just extremely fun to watch "do his thing"......As a "Guitarist's Guitarist", Guy brings power and musical integrity to every Smash Hit Carnival performance!
Randy Wilcox - Guitars, Keyboards, Lead & Back-up Vocals
Randy Wilcox is an amazing performer with extensive studio, touring and entertainment experience. Like practically all the other "carnies", Randy runs his own recording studio and has been producing independant projects, as well as writing and producing his own work for years. His versatility and inspired vocal performances are one of the high points of any Smash Hit Carnival show! As Keyboardist and Guitarist / Vocalist for the band, Randy has distinquished himself as one of the finest musicians working today! Randy took a lead role in the formation of some of the "founding rockers" of the Northwest, Wilson McKinnley being one of the most popular of these bands. Randy has developed an uncanny and striking stage impersonation of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. So convincing is his act that he was recently recognized in the Spokesman Review article "Looking and acting like Mick" from November of 2005. When you see Randy take the stage as the enigmatic Stones' frontman, you will simply gasp at his unbelievable likeness to the man! You'll think it's really Mick! In fact, you may find yourself at the next Smash Hit Carnival show asking to have your picture taken with him so you can tell your friends " I just met Mick Jagger"! It's that good! This is only one of his talented tributes to rock's most memorable icons! He also does an unbelievable Tom Petty! When Tom Petty gets down with Stevie Nicks, you'll be compelled to rush to the dance floor to dance it up!! This guy rocks! You don't want to miss Randy in action at the next Smash Hit Carnival Show!!
Kris Knutson - Bass, Harmonica, Lead & Back-up Vocals
Kris Knutson established his career in the early 70's and has continued to the present with extensive recording and touring up and down the west coast from Los Angeles to Anchorage Alaska! Kris is undeniably one of the best Bass players working today. A gifted studio musician himself, he has appeared on recordings with Gale Rose, UVU and many others as well as having recorded original material at Leon Russell's studio with the popular touring group "Sideshow".
Kris is also featured on the debut album from the Progressive Rock Band, "Madrigal", a group founded by Kevin Dodson in the late 70's! As a matter of fact, Kris Knutson and "Kevy D" have been playing together on and off since the late 70's and have developed a rhythm section of unparalleled groove and consistency. They are the solid foundation of Smash Hit Carnival's "engine room". Kris's other wonderful talent is in conceiving, writing and co-producing the Smash Hit Carnival Stage Show. Many "late night brainstorming sessions" with Kris have produced some of the funniest, as well as memarable, segments of the show! Kris's infectous smile and fun loving attitude keeps you entertained without his even saying a word! There is no question about it: this guy puts the "Ooooooo" in GROOVE! When you find yourself dancing up a storm at the next Smash Hit Carnival show, you can thank Kris for the pep in your step and the groove in your shoes!
Live Recording of SMASH HIT CARNIVAL from 2006
SMASH HIT CARNIVAL is a group of top notch professional studio musicians and trained actors, entertainers and performers.
We have over 100 years of combined experience in music, entertaining and stage craft.
We are knowledgeable and understand the needs of your corporate events, your entertainment committee, your event coordinators and your guests. We are committed to giving you the utmost in professional treatment . We dedicate ourselves to making your event a huge success, giving you an experience that you will remember for years to come! We are professionals who are truly easy to work with, accommodating and always friendly!
SMASH HIT CARNIVAL has an "eye for detail". We are able to "tailor make" your show so that announcements, awards, giveaways, organization, and any other detail of your event are easy and trouble free! Give us a call and find out why our clients always say "....this group is awesome"!
INFO / BOOKING: info@smashhitcarnival.com
MAILING LIST: mail@smashhitcarnival.com
