0
+
Years Experience
Years Experience
Dan is the lead singer of Elton Dan & the Rocket Band. He has been playing the piano since he was 10 years old. His first concert he attended …
Dean Christopher is a multi-instrumentalist and a singer/songwriter. He was born and raised by a first-generation Italian family in a town …
Wes Faulconer is a Kansas City native and has been playing drums and percussion since age 13 …
Paul graduated from the Musician’s Institute in 1993. He has toured around the world and all over the …
C.J. hails from mid Missouri. He has been playing guitar since the age of 14 and is influenced by a wide varity of musical styles. He…
Has recorded three of his own CD’s, numerous Film Scores, T.V. and Radio Commercials and Computer Programs as Drummer, Percussionist …
Karen has been performing with her sisters since age 9! She grew up in a family with an affinity for …
Chelsy Larson studied vocal performance at Bethel College. Chelsy’s vocal versatility ranges from fronting rock …
Debra Cordero is a multi-faceted, dynamic entertainer known for her soulful, soaring vocals and ability to really “own” the …
Dan is the lead singer of Elton Dan & the Rocket Band. He has been playing the piano since he was 10 years old. His first concert he attended was the Orange County Symphony, but the concert that made an impression on him was seeing Elton John live at Caesar’s Palace and seeing Paul McCartney at Arrow Head Stadium. From childhood, Dan’s hero in music was Elton John for both the wonderful music he made and the humanitarian contributions the band honored. Dan has persisted in keeping the same traditions in the band he created to honor his music hero Elton John and the legacy and culture of what the Elton John Band stands for.
Today, Elton Dan and the Rocket Band play songs for 7 of the Elton John Albums, including crowd favorites “Amorrena”, “Funeral for a Friend”, “Bennie and the Jets”, “Bitch is Back”, “Sweet Painted Lady”, “Pinball Wizard”, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, and “Levon”. Dan has seen Elton John in concert 8 times to honor the rock legend.
Dean Christopher is a multi-instrumentalist and a singer/songwriter. He was born and raised by a first-generation Italian family in a town very close to New York City. He started playing piano at 9 years old. He accelerated through the basics with private lessons and then studied classical music. By the age of 13 years old he was performing recitals for the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) organization that recognizes young talent. Soon after he became inspired by rock music, took up electric guitar and knew music was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He has since become an accomplished bass player as well.
He had an original band all through high school and college and kept writing songs honing his skill. In his early 20’s he was invited to play with a classic rock band called The Good Rats who at one time had been signed to Warner Brothers. For 4 years they travelled all over the north east Tri-State area playing shows 3 – 4 nights a week. It was a great experience that gave him the jump off point to put out his own albums and start his own career. He most recent release is called ‘Mutton Chops’ where he wrote all music and lyrics, sings all lead and backup vocals and plays all instruments including drums. It is available on Amazon.com and on Apple iTunes.
Currently living in Kansas City, he has also jumped into the Tribute band scene and sings in a Led Zeppelin tribute band. This is how he met Elton Dan. Dean loves Elton John’s music and he was very impressed by Elton Dan’s recreation of it. Dean was thrilled to join the team as the synth/keyboardist and there’s been no looking back. On stage Dean is a captivating performer who wears his emotions on his sleeve and pushes himself to the edge. He is also known for wearing flashy shirts which works well in an Elton John tribute show. He continues to pursue the most attention to detail to give the audience the best Elton John experience possible.
Wes Faulconer is a Kansas City native and has been playing drums and percussion since age 13. Wes graduated from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and founded Explorers Percussion in 1984. Since that time he has played in numerous original and cover bands and done theater work utilizing both drum set and percussion. Recent performances include: Hand percussion with Barry Cohen & Destiny, sit ins on djembe with Tool, drum set with Jessica Meuse ( American Idol) The Nightcrawler’s and most recently Salted Blue. In his spare time Wes enjoys motorcycles, fast cars and loves adding percussion to the Elton Dan Band!
Paul graduated from the Musicians’s Institute in 1993. He has toured around the world and all over the United States. Paul has worked as a studio musician in Los Angeles. Paul is truly outstanding and can every kind of music from Rock to Reggae! However, one of his most proud moments was being a part of the Armed Forces Entertainment tour in 2010. Supporting our troops in Kuwait & Iraq with Phil Vandel.
C.J. hails from mid Missouri. He has been playing guitar since the age of 14 and is influenced by a wide varity of musical styles. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. His style is a blended influence of rock, jazz, funk, and blues. He is member of the American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers. C.J.’s attraction to Elton John’s music started while lying in the back seat window area of the family car in the early 70’s. When he heard the captivation style of Elton John with Davey Johnstone on Guitar he was hooked! With over 2000 live gigs to his credit and two albums, he delivers a powerful live performance channeling Davy Johnstone’s distinctive style.
Has recorded three of his own CD’s, numerous Film Scores, T.V. and Radio Commercials and Computer Programs as Drummer, Percussionist, Vocalist, Composer, Actor and Voice Over Artist. Instructor of Drums, Percussion and Guitar.
Recorded a Japanese Public Television Special with Bobby Whitlock, formerly of Eric Clapton’s Derek and the Dominoes with Special Guest Paul Shaffer of the Late Night with David Letterman Show.
Concert appearances with Bobby Whitlock, Shania Twain, C.J Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, as well as opening concerts for The Ringo Starr All-Starr Band, Lou Rawls, the Guess Who, Rick Derringer, Pablo Cruise, New England and the Gregg Allman Band.
Performances for shows at the Coterie Theater, American Heartland Theater, Worlds of Fun, Starlight Theater, the New Theater and the Ararat Shrine Circus.
As a music therapist, Steve works with clients from the age of 5 to over 100 years old, who have every form of mental and physical disabilities. He makes a difference in these people’s lives through the miracle of Music Therapy!
Karen has been performing with her sisters since age 9! She grew up in a family with an affinity for classic country music. When the Sonny and Cher variety show as aired, Karen was so excited to hear another style of music, she sat in front of the TV daring anyone to change the channel! Her love of music continued on through high school when she learned to play piano and trombone. Later she sang with the Capitol City Symphony Choir in addition to delivering singing telegrams and performing for weddings. Karen began singing with her first band in 1988. She continued to perform with duos and bands throughout the country including acts located in Texas, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. She most recently fronted an all 80s pop band and a tribute to Heart & Pat Benatar. Karen currently provides background vocals and harmony for Elton Dan & The Rocket Band.
Karen also performs as Cher in the group Cher-ished which began in 2007. Fans are astonished at Karens vocal & visual likeness to the living legend, Cher! Performing as Cher, she has shared the stage with legends such as The Drifters and tributes to Elton John, Michael Jackson, Elvis, Rod Stewart & Stevie Nicks. Karen & Elton Dan meeting ignited the idea of Elton Dan & Cher-ished performing together. There is a good chance that Cher-ished will make an appearance at an Elton Dan show. Her Costumes & vocals will have you believing you are seeing the real “Cher” on stage!
Chelsy Larson studied vocal performance at Bethel College. Chelsy’s vocal versatility ranges from fronting rock, country and blues cover bands, to collaborative composition in her jazz/pop fusion original band, Clowder, to performing in musical theater, all the way to singing classical soprano in operas. Chelsy enjoys the opportunity the tribute bands, Elton Dan and the Rocket Band and Gypsies Doves and Dreams, offer to build complex 3 and 4 part harmony singing, as well as the enjoyment of performing the incredible catalogues of both Elton John and Stevie Nicks.
Debra Cordero is a multi-faceted, dynamic entertainer known for her soulful, soaring vocals and ability to really “own” the songs she sings.
With an impressive vocal range, the ability to deliver any style of music with authority and an engaging energetic stage presence, Debi is a musical force in Kansas City and beyond.
She began singing in bands at age 13 and has fronted numerous successful bands in the KC area including Hothouse, who had the house band spot at the Levee for 10 years, in addition to touring the country with various acts. She has enjoyed working with the top bands and names on the Kansas City music scene. Debi lived and performed in Las Vegas and Atlantic City with veteran show band, Sidro’s Armada.
Debra performed at all the major Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos including the grand opening of Trump Taj Mahal in AC. Debi was a founding member of Max Groove and wrote songs for the first two albums. A seasoned studio vocalist, Debi has been heard on many local and national projects including: Royals baseball, Toyota, Pizza Hut and Walmart. She was the featured artist on the Project Warmth Christmas CD, Warm Christmas. Debi was one of the featured singers at the Plaza lighting of 2001. She recently was a member of a high energy, top 40 dance group in the Kansas City area. Debi now performs with Elton Dan and The Rocket Band, a first class Elton John tribute band with Dan Gasser as Elton Dan.
They are currently touring the US and Canada in 2023 and 2024. She continues to perform with the same energy and passion she has brought to the stage since the beginning.