Q:What happens you bring together a band of cosmic music wizards? A: A robust potion for spellbinding music without boundaries.
Stevie Hawkins and Asteroid Funk spans the musical genres of R&B, funk, soul, jazz, blues, disco, rock and Latin. The band is best known for their infectious funk and soul sound, precision syncopated grooves, and a high-energy entertaining performance, highlighted by a powerful--tight horn section. The band features the extraordinary drumming and soulful voice of frontman Stevie Hawkins, bringing you messages of love, peace, and social consciousness, accompanied by some of the finest musicians of all time. They've built a music-machine that cannot be stopped, and a show that brings on the HEAT.
Their biggest hits include "Good Times", "Kit Kat Joe", "Only You", "Procrastination", "Attitude Of Gratitude" and "Peace Love And Happiness".
Although the band members are award-winning, Grammy nominated artists in their own right, their individual career successes as session - touring musicians is impressive spanning over four-decades.
Hear Chart Hits By The Band
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Stevie Hawkins & Asteroid Funk Partial Major Artist Credits
Below is a brief overview of the band's individual career successes as session and touring musicians with the major recording artists listed under each of their names.
Stevie Hawkins (Drums and Vocals):
Albert King :: John Lee Hooker :: Rufus Thomas :: Chuck Berry :: Percy Sledge :: Willie Hill :: Daryle Singletary
Butch Taylor (Guitar and Vocals):
Brecker Bothers :: David Sanborn :: Deniese Williams :: Larry Coryell :: Patti Austin :: Deborah Cox
Chuck Webb (Bass):
Stevie Wonder :: Aretha Franklin :: Smokey Robinson :: Al DiMeola :: Grover Washington Jr. :: Buddy Guy
Van Abbott (Piano, Synthezizers, Hammond B-3 and Vocals):
Eddie Floyd :: Stringfield Family :: Reba McEntire :: Tammy Wynette :: Jeff Carson :: Dolly Parton
Victor Orlando (Percussions and Vocals):
The Gap Band :: Bobby Womack :: Chaka Khan :: LL Cool J :: Buddy Miles :: Billy Preston :: Teena Marie
Don Harris (Trumpet):
Bobby Caldwell :: Michael McDonald :: Tower of Power :: Stevie Wonder :: Celine Dion :: James Taylor
Lou Marini (Saxophone):
Aerosmith :: Blood Sweat & Tears :: Buddy Rich Band :: The Blues Brothers :: Steely Dan :: Frank Zappa
Tom 'Bones' Malone (Trombone):
Ray Charles :: Earth, Wind & Fire :: BB King :: Billy Joel :: Elton John :: Eric Clapton :: Etta James
Bobby 'BB' Brown (Drums, Vocals and Percussion):
Nazareth :: Brownsville Station :: New York Dolls :: T. Graham Brown :: Gregg Allman :: Leon Russell
The Asteroid Funk Band
Stevie Hawkins :: Vocals-Drums :: Platinum Record Recipient
Stevie puts the skunk in the Asteroid Funk as dynamic frontman, vocalist and drummer. Stevie is a multiple award-winning artist who has ascended through the ranks as an adept instrumentalist, vocalist, entertainer, songwriter, film composer, teacher, and producer. His ever-present influence inspires musicians and cult fans globally. As a live performer, he electrifies his audience and immediately establishes a relationship with them during his shows. As a sideman and session musician, he is known for his chameleon-like adaptability to envision and perform avant-garde conceptions across multiple genres of music. That is supported by playing drums in specialty realms and cross-genres for international and national recording artists, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Bertie Higgins, Dan Seals (England Dan & John Ford Coley), Stanley Jordan, The Ink Spots, Rufus Thomas, Johnny Rodriguez, Daryle Singletary, Brook Benton, Jeff Carson, Ace Cannon "The Godfather of Sax", Al Dotson Jazz Orchestra, Ringling Brothers Circus, comedians Jackie Mason and Roger & Roger, and many others. Stevie earned a platinum record for involvement in the multi-platinum album by Heart, "Dreamboat Annie". Stevie has performed countless shows at many historic venues including, Whisky A Go-Go, Avalon Theater Hollywood, The Orpheum Theater, Capitol Theater, Strand Theater, and Renfro Valley. Stevie continues his life-long pursuit of musical and artistic excellence, demonstrating a tireless commitment to his craft.
Butch Taylor :: Guitar-Vocals
Butch is a integral component of the band's dynamic-driving rhythm section. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to perform top clubs and arenas such as the Starwood in L.A., the Boarding House in San Francisco, and the Bottom Line, the Felt Forum, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Butch has toured and recorded with many national and international artists including; Larry Coryell, James Ingram, David Sanborn, Deniece Williams, Patty Austin, Brecker Brothers, Vicki Sue Robinson for RCA records and appeared on major television shows such as Don Kirchner’s Rock Concert, the Midnight Special, Mike Douglas Show, and the Merv Griffin Show.
Chuck Webb :: Bass
Chuck provides the deep-groove foundation for Asteroid Funk. A versatile composer and producer, in addition to his film scores, sample CD, jazz and contemporary projects, Chuck is also the creator of the critically acclaimed educational music programs "Mind Games", and “Multiply This”. Chuck has toured the world many times and performed with such notable artists as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Buddy Guy, Ramsey Lewis, David Sanborn, Al DiMeola, Grover Washington Jr., Freddie Hubbard and many others. As one of Chicago's top studio bassists Chuck has performed on hundreds of records, commercial jingles and sound tracks. Chuck is a member of the National Federation of Musicians and the National Educators Association.
Van Abbott :: Piano-Hammond B-3-Vocals
Van flavors the funk stew with his secret melodic spices. As well as being a tremendous keyboardist, he is an arranger and record producer. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, under mentor and famed music professor Jerry Coker. Van has worked as a staff session musician at ABC/Dot Records New York, playing trombone for various soul artists including Eddie Floyd (Knock On Wood). Van has toured and/or recorded with major artists, Reba McEntire, Joe Diffie, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Jeff Carson, Sammy Kershaw and Daryle Singletary among others. He has also shared the stage with The Jackson Five, Earth Wind And Fire, Ohio Players, Commodores, and played the prestigious Apollo Theater, Grand Ole Opry and Madison Square Garden in New York. Playing keyboards for Aaron Tippin, Van has toured Afghanistan and Iraq, entertaining the U.S. Military Troops based there.
Victor Orlando :: Percussion-Vocals :: Grammy Nominee
Victor Orlando brings great percussion and showmanship to the band. Known as the percussionist to the stars, he is also a music producer, songwriter, actor, comedian, screenwriter, movie producer and director of the recent comedy movie, Switch. He is a recent recipient of Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards' "Lifetime Achievement Award in Percussion". He is a Grammy and NAACP Award nominee for his phenomenal Funk, Jazz and Latin album, “N Da House”. His song "Argentina" is in the film “For The Love of Money” starring Edward Furlong and James Caan. Victor's work can be heard on countless recordings including the timeless R&B classic, "Outstanding", and the unforgettable R&B hit, "Computer Love" by Roger & Zap. Victor has performed and recorded with Angie Stone, Yarbrough & Peoples, Teena Marie, Buddy Miles, Billy Preston, Bobby Womack, Gap Band, 2Pac, LL Cool J, Chaka Khan and others.
Don Harris :: Trumpet
Don puts the top end magic to the super-tight Asteroid Funk horn section. Playing trumpet since the age 8, he ultimately enrolled at the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music. He continues to tour along with his brother Bill as The Harris Bros Horns. The Harris Bros Horns stay busy making records for many of the top names in the world of Smooth Jazz, such as Peter White, Warren Hill, Avenue Blue, Andre Berry and the Deep Fried Funk Society. Some of the many artists with whom Don has performed or recorded include: Bobby Caldwell, Michael McDonald, Tower of Power, Robben Ford, Stevie Wonder, Ben E. King, Bob James, Celine Dion, The Four Tops, Sister Sledge, James Taylor, Michael Bolton, Paul Shaffer, Spyro Gyra, Will Lee, The Spinners and Phoebe Snow.
Lou Marini :: Soprano-Alto-Tenor Saxophone :: Multiple Platinum Record Recipient
Platinum recording artist, Lou Marini, Jr. (a.k.a. Blue Lou) is the seasoned soul of the horn section. Popular since the early 1970s, Lou Marini, Jr. continues to be one of the most sought-after sidemen and session musicians on the New York scene. Lou electrifies audiences with his "sultry, seductive and singular" sounds. He has recorded with such luminaries as Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Lou Reed and Frank Zappa, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, The Band and Steely Dan to name just a few. Lou has been a member of Blood, Sweat and Tears, and is an original member of The Blues Brothers since their first appearances on Saturday Night Live, and has appeared in both movies and on all of recordings and tours. His credits include hundreds of albums.
Tom "Bones" Malone :: Trombone-Flute-Trumpet :: Multiple Platinum Record Recipient
Tom completes the horn section with his Bonal-Tonal excellence. Early in his career, Tom worked in bands of Woody Herman, Louie Bellson, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. 1975 to 1985 Tom arranged music for Saturday Night Live. Tom wrote the music chart for the first SNL Blues Brothers skit featuring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, and has continued as an integral member of the Blues Brothers musical organization. His writing and performance may be found on all Blues Brothers recordings and in The Blues Brothers (Universal) film score. Additional film credits include The Last Waltz and Sister Act. In 1993, Tom joined SNL vets Paul Schaffer and Will Lee in the CBS Orchestra, as house band for The Late Show with David Letterman. Tom's credits include, Ray Charles, Dave Matthews, Tina Turner, Miles Davis, Average White Band, BB King, Luther Vandross, Stevie Winwood, Cyndi Lauper and Frank Zappa.
Bobby "BB" Brown :: Drums-Percussion-Vocals
Bobby yields prodigious meat and funk-bone for Asteroid Funk's grand banquet, performing percussion, background vocals, and chieftain of the drum kit while Stevie is performing front of stage. An accomplished veteran musician, Bobby has traveled the world performing clubs and major concert venues as a drummer and backup vocalist, taking the stage with; Shiloh, Nazareth, Brownsville Station, New York Dolls, T. Graham Brown, The Producers, Gregg Allman, Leon Russell, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Mothers Finest, Firefall, Lee Greenwood, among others. Bobby has worked for Dolly Parton as staff drummer at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. In the 1970's Bobby and Stevie Hawkins often performed together in a dual drummer configuration. Now in full circle, you will experience their explosive ultra-rhythmic dual drummer extravaganza in concert during portions of the Asteroid Funk show.
About The Asteroid Funk Show
Through the artistic vision and creative direction of world-renowned choreographer Lacy Darryl Phillips, the Stevie Hawkins and Asteroid Funk show is awe-inspiring. These outstanding performers totally immerse demographically diverse audiences in an astonishing interactive live entertainment experience not soon to be forgotten. This is music and a show that summons the awakening of the musical spirit of all ages.
Lacy's professional background as Choreographer and Director for Television, Stage and Film includes: The Academy Awards, Mariah Carey’s “Around The World” Tour, “Sister Act II”, “A Chorus Line”, Vanessa Williams, Expose', Bette Davis, Gregory Hines, “The Wiz” starring Peabo Bryson and Grace Jones, "The Fighting Temptations" starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles.
