know your dogs

Bob Seeley - Keyboards & Vocals A local boy, Bob grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Lakes High School. A self taught musician, he was the featured pianist and student music arranger for the Olympic College stage band. He toured the country with Vocal Point Show band for several years until settling down in Des Moines. Bob brings his experience and teaching skill to his role as vocal director for the dogs. He has also been the band leader of several local groups over the years including Jam Pact, Funaddicts and Bobby Sox & the Jukebox. Bob adds, "I have one surviving son and I'm still happily single. I am in good health with all my teeth and no known transmittable diseases."
Christopher Nickels - Guitar & Vocals Christopher taught himself guitar when he was a teenager, and in high school performed in winning talent shows as well as jazz choir.
After high school, Christopher played in a number of top 40 bands up and down the coast including "City Streets" and "Free World". During most of the '90s, he played in the top 40 duo "R&R". During the next decade, he played with "The Penguins", "Stepdog", and recently "The Wingmen".
Christopher commented:"I am so excited to be playing with a horn band again!"
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."