know your dogs

Bill MacDonald- Guitar & Vocals A Seattle native, Bill began performing professionally at the age of 12, forming a band with junior high school friends. Their focus was to play the music of local heroes like: The Kingsmen, The Viceroys, The Wailers and The Dynamics. Later on, he was proud to be a founding member of the high school group, Superband, a 7-piece group with horns that performed soul, blues and R&B. After years on the "top 40 rock and roll road circuit" (plus a stint in music school) Bill is thrilled once again to be a part of a 7-piece group with horns - Big Dog Review. Bill brings his musical experience and blues /rock diversity to expand the funk/R&B grooves that BDR favors. Bill enjoys skiing, fly fishing and motorcycle touring when time allows. His passion is supporting the local charity Cancer Lifeline as a 10-year board member.
Don Bird - Keys & Vocals Don Bird is a multi-faceted musician and composer rooted in Seattle, seasoned in LA and the Bay Area, and now working out of his writing studio in Anacortes with collaborators both locally and abroad. His compositions range from jazz and prog rock to blues, orchestral works and commercial projects. Don plays keyboards, synthesizers, organ and bass for live and studio gigs, including performances with his own original ensemble “Children Of The Blues” as well as holding down the keyboard spot for Big Dog Revue.
Frank Heye - Drums Frank first started playing drums professionally a month after graduating high school. It was a show band in Hawaii called the Lee Gonsalves Revue. They toured all over the Hawaiian chain, presenting entertainment for tourists. After a full year, Frank decided his formal musical education was not complete, so he enrolled at North Texas State University. He graduated from NTSU after a few fantastic road tours in Top 40 and horn bands and began teaching private drum lessons prior to graduation.Frank moved to Washington state in 1995 and joined the Big Dog Revue in 1997. He noted, "The rest is history that has yet to occur."
Gene Laukkonen - Soprano, Tenor, Baritone Sax & Vocals In 1977 Gene dropped out of college to go on the road with a rock band. He spent the next seven years living out of a suitcase playing with show and dance bands. On the last trip he teamed up with Paul and they've been playing together off and on since.
After returning to Seattle Gene played with various bands including Freddie Pink and the Hightops, and Sparky and the Starfires. In 1999 he found a home the Bigdogs and continues to sub for other sax players that need a night off.
" What a joy it is to play with the Rescue Horns!"
Glen Decker - Bass Guitar & Vocals Glen's first brush with music was via his dad's old Sears brand C-Melody saxophone that was ...um...worn. Both Glen and that horn were the bane of his 7th grade music teacher. Later, better horns and other teachers kept Glen in concert and marching bands through school including 4 years at Central Michigan Univ. In high school he added Guitar to his list of playables and, later, Bass guitar - his ultimate love. Being from Michigan, he is primarily a Motown - R&B fan, though he played in NW country bands on the road and locally for 20+ years. "Music and 25 years as a 'Big Dog' has been good to me and taught me that: *The correct number of basses to own = n + 1; *It's better to be kind than right; *We're all doing the best we can, and... *The groove is everything".
Paul Fessenden - Alto, Tenor Sax & Vocals Paul has been playing saxophone in the Seattle area for a greater part of 40 years. He has played in many local bands such as Freddy Pink, Dix Deluxe, Groove Kings, Jim Brady Band and The Fenderskirts. He has been on stage with National Acts such as Sly Stone, Mavis Staples, Lenny Williams and opening for Romeo Void at the Colliseum. Paul Brings to Big Dog Revue his exciting saxophone sound and solo abilities, in addition to his vocal talent.
Steve Mraz - Trumpet, Flugelhorn & Vocals Steve is a long time Washingtonian and former Cruise ship musician. As a Cruise ship musician he has played for many stars from Charo to Cab Calloway, and with groups from the Platters to the Temptations. Steve enjoys regular walks locally and teaching music at the Overlake School. Steve is a great player and talent...he's the high note frosting on the BDR Rescue Horns sonic cake!
"we each have our special tale."