Wally Kissel - Keys & computers
Keyboard lessons didn't really inspire adolescent Wally. Sometime around high school he started to mess with sound modification and tape recording techniques. Tape delay, echo, flanging & phasing gave a whole new inspiration to music. Physics & synthesizer labs in college founded new excitement to 'Rock & Roll' yet the Hammond/Leslie sound returned as his favorite. Today Wally enjoys playing classic rock, funk, blues and such, using vintage sounds with modern equipment. Playing with the 'Plant Band', it's roots and other local bands has been and continues to be rewarding. But playing live, for the band's fans, is a kick that has to be experienced to totally appreciate! From classical orchestration to yummy Hammond overdrive. Ready to Rock!!!  \m/(>.<)\m/

Kevin Summers - Bass, guitar, vocals
Born on the west side of Chicago where the cold wind blows and the Blues are Real! Kevin's early life was immersed in Swing, Soul, Blues and early Rock & Roll. Performing Rock in a time before it was deemed 'Classic', Kevin toured the Midwest spreading the gospel of foot stompin' music and luscious grooves. His 'in Pocket' style and tasteful bass lines bring you back to a time of dancing and 'stepping out'. Kevin's 'on stage presence' keeps the fans smiling. ;-)

Mark Schmitz - Percussion, vocals
Mark grew-up in Cloverdale Illinois where he was influenced by a childhood friend who was an accomplished drummer. He became interested in drums and started taking lessons at age 13 from a Chicago area jazz drummer. Years later Mark became friends with members of 'The Plant Brothers Band' (on hiatus). After several jam sessions, it was clear that the chemistry was right to form a new band. His clock steady timing and attention to detail keeps the fans dancin'! Mark is looking forward to bringing great music and fun times to fans with 'The Plant Band'.

Derek Plant - Guitar, harp, vocals
Music has been a part of Derek's life from early childhood. His parents bought a Wurlitzer spinet organ back in the 70's, and encouraged all the Plant brothers to play. His Mom and Dad were always playing great stuff on the Reel to Reel or on vinyl. Anything from Ramsey Lewis, to Del Shannon, Beach Boys, Booker T. and the MGs, Gershwin. He started 'jamming' with his brothers when he began learning guitar and singing in his teens. He enjoys playing solo acoustic gigs, but there is really something special about having a 4 or 5 plus piece band. Especially if there are keys involved. In 1999 he started playing solo acoustic shows in the Fox Valley area. Then it was a duo with his brother Daren. Later on, add keys, drums, and bass. Wally, Mark, Kevin and Derek are excited to welcome Charlie on board and are looking forward to playing some festivals this summer. As a 'musician' Derek really has no illusions about his music endeavors. He has a great day job and really loves performing for folks looking for a great time. Especially outdoor festivals. He takes pride in having an arrangement that is flexible. Derek: "We can cover a lot of ground in one performance. It's always a kick out of getting that look from the audience, "Did they really just pull off a transition from Radiohead to Sinatra?" Yep. Sure did. There is something about live performance that is very gratifying when you realize, you are a vehicle for the enjoyment of others.

Timothy Falls - AltoSax, TenorSax
Tim's musical journey began at the age of 11 when his parents bought him his first saxophone. Growing up in Brookfield, Wisconsin, he played in various concert bands and jazz ensembles, winning music awards throughout high school. Over the years, he has played in numerous classic rock, Motown, blues, and jazz bands throughout the Chicago area, playing alto, tenor, and soprano sax, and flute. Today, Tim is thrilled to be playing with the Plant Band and being able to bring their flavor of horn-infused classic rock to the western suburbs.

Jim Matheson - Lead Guitar and vocals.

Jim discovered his love of music and guitar at the age of 10. In high school Jim’s six piece rock band became a favorite at high school sock hops. After high school the band graduated to playing college town bars and fraternity parties in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. At 21 years old, Jim made a slight detour in his musical career and started working as a live sound engineer for a couple of local bar bands. The second band that Jim mixed live sound for was called Off Broadway. After signing a management deal with Ken Adamany (Cheap Trick’s manager) the band signed a two record deal with Atlantic Records. Off Broadway then started touring the US, which had Jim mixing sound in arenas like The Rosemont Horizon (Allstate Arena), the Super Dome, Rockford Speedway, etc. After three years Jim left Off Broadway and hooked up with the sound company dB Sound, Inc. and was soon touring the country with the likes of Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and more. Jim finished off his touring career as the sound engineer at the Los Angeles Coliseum for the 1984 Summer Olympics, the site of the Track & Field events and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Two years later the New Colony Six called on Jim to play guitar for a one time band reunion show at the Park West in Chicago. The sold out show was so successful that Jim and the band continued playing summer festival concerts for the next ten years. During this same time Jim got really busy. He landed the job of Head Engineer/Producer at 35th Street Recording Studios on the South side of Chicago, producing, recording and mixing albums for local rock bands. He also reunited with his high school rock band and called their new band The Mustangs: Remembering Woodstock. And as if that wasn’t enough, he joined an oldies ‘50s & ‘60s band band called The Rockin’ Fenderskirts at their new lead guitar player. Today Jim continues to lend his guitar playing talents to The Mustangs, The Rockin’ Fenderskirts, and Rick Lindy & the Wild Ones. He continues to record at his home studio and has added Video Production to his hobbies. In 2018 Jim became a proud member of The Plant Band, and in no time at all the guys in the band became Jim’s new musical family. He loves the Power Plant Brass horn section, and claims he gets chills up and down his spine every time Derek Plant sings. He loves working with the rhythm section and has become fast and close friends with everyone in the band. Jim says: "Playing with The Plant Band is a privilege and a thrill." And the sound is HUGE!

Eric Archer - Bari-Sax, percussion & vocals.
Eric started playing saxophone in middle school, playing his dad's alto sax from his high school days. Moving to bari sax in high school, Eric played with Auburn High School's jazz band on their exchange trip to Stourbridge England in the 1990's. College saw him continue with sax, as well as playing guitar and singing with a variety of rock bands in the Peoria and Rockford area through the early 2000s. He was a member of Prime Time Jazz band, and a long time member of the award-winning Moonlight Jazz Orchestra in Rockford. Eric is glad to have found a home in the Plant Band with some really great musicians and friends.

Nathan Pritt - Trumpet
Nate graduated from NIU with BA in Music. He's been playing trumpet since he was 14 - before that, baritone, cello and piano; played in a Disco band while in high school, played in Jazz Bands in high school and college, played with an Elvis impersonator (Johnny Spence) for several years, played in rock bands in college, formed a jazz group to open for Ray Charles when he played in Dekalb. Nate played with the Waubonsee Community College Jazz Ensemble for over 20 years, participating and competeing in many jazz festivals and recording several albums. Since then he's been playing in various small jazz groups as well as big bands and occasional rock bands; recently recorded an album with bassist Matt Erion's Dodecatet, playing lead trumpet and soloing on a tune; was the principal trumpet with the Kishwaukee Area Concert Band for 11 years, played weddings as a soloist, occasionally play brass ensemble and orchestral music; written original music for small group jazz bands, and arranged big band charts as well as jazz and rock horn charts. And now there's The Plant Band! Nate's day job is operating an auto repair shop, EDS Auto Repair, in Geneva.