Don't Bother the Band 1994/1995

In 1994, "Movin On" seemed to be enjoying a lot more airplay than it had only a few years previous and Ron was definitely growing bored of his day job. After some prodding from friends and "Dave Maygers", Vice-President of "United Entertainment", Ron decided to take "Missouri" back out on the road in the summer of 1994. By now, most of the original members of "Missouri" had either signed on with other groups or were busy pursuing other interests in life, so Ron inlisted the help of "Dave Maygers" to check around and see if he could round up some really great musicians for the band from "United Entertainment’s" musician roster.

Since Ron knew -Bill Larson-,-( Drums on the bands Debut album entitled "Missouri’")- was "Chomp’in at the Bit" to hit the concert road again, that made picking a drummer easy. Bill always lays down an incredibly steady beat for a band. After auditioning a few other dynamite musicians suggested by Dave, Ron was finally ready to fill the remaining spots in the band line up and HIT THE ROAD..

First off the block was - Chris Jones - *( Chief)-, a friend of Dave’s and long time keyboard dude with "Charlie and the Stingrays". No one seems to know why hes called (Chief), except for his excellent keyboard work.

When -Chris Wiliker- fired up his Bass set-up, Ron knew immediately he was the obvious choice. "Solid as a rock". Chris and Brett Eklund had already made quite a name for themselves as great musicians with their own group, "Casinova", and playing in K.C. bands such as "LeatherToys". Chris and Brett also had a least two other projects going on while doing shows with "Missouri". Brett filled in with acoustic guitar behind "Missouri" on shows while Chris sang vocal backup and played Bass. .

Jim Bingston, former lead guitar man with "Orphan" and some other well known K.C. Bands filled in perfectly for "Missouri’s" lead slot and helped to make the band sound very much like the original group.

Ron and the guys also decided that the band needed a little something different on stage this time out, so he enlisted a good friend of Wiliker’s, -"Julie Flood"- to do some killer Violin work and backround vocals to help beef up the bands sound. Julie had her own band "Majesty" happening, but made time to perform on the " Missouri " Dates. (Search- Jammin’ with Jules ).

For the next two years, "Missouri" would be playing; "Spiritfest" in K.C., "Sandstone Ampitheatre in K.C.K., "RiverPort Stadium" in St. Louis, and many-many other Large Venue shows throughout the Mid- West. April Wine / Mountain / Kansas / Little River Band / REO /FogHat / and Steppinwolf are on the short list of groups "Missouri" shared the stage with in those two years.

But, musicians are easily bored , time moves on, and the band members grew restless to try to strike out on their own musical paths. So, after doing their last show at "Beamers Garage" ( now "Harleywoods"), Ron disbanded the group one more time.

He was soon seen scouring through catalouges, and recording periodicals to purchase all the High Tech recording goodies he would need to set up his own ( 24 Track Midi and Digital Studio ) where he could write, record and generally enjoy his music without the pressure and craziness of life on the road. He now records bands and radio spots in his basement studio, keeps up on all the lastest recording software and is helping some new younger artists get a Jump Start in the business.

Meanwhile---as of this writing, -(5/7/01)- " Movin On " can still be heard regularly on ( 99.7 KY ) in Kansas City-----( Lake 95) Lake of the Ozarks------and KSHE in St. Louis, and many other cities and major markets. "Movin On" started airplay ( 8/7/77 ).

-An incredibly long run on the airways for a Band from K.C. –

Missouri 1994 / 95 Line Up -the- -DON’T BOTHER THE BAND TOUR-

Missouri
1994 / 95 Line Up
-the-
-DON’T BOTHER THE BAND TOUR-