Kenny Goldstone
Kenny is a Floridian via the great state of New Jersey, and spent his youth tinkering with 4-track recording gear. In his early teens, Kenny played keyboards with The Checkers, who successfully played one and only one gig in New York City. After a brief stint years ago as frontman with The Elastic Wasteband, Kenny would spend quality time
Kenny is a Floridian via the great state of New Jersey, and spent his youth tinkering with 4-track recording gear. In his early teens, Kenny played keyboards with The Checkers, who successfully played one and only one gig in New York City. After a brief stint years ago as frontman with The Elastic Wasteband, Kenny would spend quality time hanging with great friend Craig (read his bio) in their respective backyards and just play guitar and sing together.
In 2018, Kenny helped his musical brothers Nick Williams (read his bio), John Chewning, and Mike Lewis (read his bio) form Karate In The Garage (KITG) and served as their rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, fill-in drummer, and background vocalist. KITG quickly became Nokomis, Florida’s 2nd best cover band (Since those early years, KITG became voted Best Band in the Venice, Florida area by The Venice Gondolier in 2021), and at the same time, Kenny pursued a couple solo cover-song gigs as I’m Just Kenny.
Musical buddies Craig Daily and Matt Pengra (see his bio) started badgering Kenny to play out live with him, brought seven other musical friends to the first rehearsal, and The Grouper Cheeks were formed.
When COVID hit, Kenny asked the guys if they wanted to write and record originals as they all had to reluctantly hit pause on the band’s live performance plans. After two single releases, and two remixes with the assistance of Jeff Retro of Las Vegas, the pursuit of a “larger vision” (announcement forthcoming) of originals began.
In recent years, Kenny had the honor of co-producing a live full-length concert video and album with one of his musical heroes entitled Marc Broussard - Live From Full Sail University. Other of Kenny’s highly influential musical masters include Genesis (and the various solo careers of many of its members), James Taylor, Luther Vandross, Foreigner, Journey, Van Halen, Extreme, Michael McDonald, Paul Carrack, Dave Barnes, Vince Gill, and the list goes on and on.
Two dogs, two cows, two mini donkeys and a mini horse require daily morning feeding at Rocksteady Ranch...and he wouldn't have it any other way. You'll see Kenny on stage singing while playing acoustic guitar or keys.
THE GUITARISTS
Craig Daily
Craig Daily
Craig Daily
Band Co-Founder Craig Daily hails from the great city of Philadelphia (home to Rocky Balboa and Benjamin Franklin), and is a recovering bass player who was 1/5th of the greatest hair band you never heard of - Bittersweet. Based out of New England, Bittersweet toured the east coast of the U.S. in the late ‘80s opening for acts like Extreme
Band Co-Founder Craig Daily hails from the great city of Philadelphia (home to Rocky Balboa and Benjamin Franklin), and is a recovering bass player who was 1/5th of the greatest hair band you never heard of - Bittersweet. Based out of New England, Bittersweet toured the east coast of the U.S. in the late ‘80s opening for acts like Extreme, Living Colour, The Romantics and Kings X. Later switching to guitar, Craig has recently gigged with his fellow Cheeks (Formerly The Philadelphia Beagles).
His musical influences include Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, and John Mayer. Some fun facts about Craig…He’s in the Guinness Book of World Records pictured with the World’s Largest Guitar Amplifier. The amp was designed and built by Full Sail University staff and students as part of a social media promotional campaign. Craig is an alum and the Vice President + Creative Director of Full Sail University. Craig is one of the few humans alive to have sat on the real “Iron Throne” (Game of Thrones) in Belfast, Ireland. Craig makes fairly-authentic Neapolitan style pizzas in his backyard wood-burning oven. Most pizzas pass the authenticity test of his wife Valeriana who hails from the great city of Milan.
JC
Craig Daily
Craig Daily
“I am music, Phamily, New York City, and contradiction (not always in that order). My life is messy and beautiful. My truths exist somewhere between the lines. It’s always about a girl and all ya need is…”
Brian Bowes
Nick Williams
Nick Williams
Brian hails from Troy, New York (Home of Uncle Sam). His earliest memories include listening to eight tracks and records, having a deep connection with music at a young age, dabbling in guitar from 10 through his early teens, and then going all-in playing, selling, and repairing guitars right after high school. In the '90s, Brian owned an
Brian hails from Troy, New York (Home of Uncle Sam). His earliest memories include listening to eight tracks and records, having a deep connection with music at a young age, dabbling in guitar from 10 through his early teens, and then going all-in playing, selling, and repairing guitars right after high school. In the '90s, Brian owned and operated an audio company and mixed over 1,500 live shows for various acts in and around New York. Brian spent a decade in the 2000's as guitarist for a large gospel ensemble. He moved to Nashville, TN in 2011 and continued to work as a guitar technician, both on the road and privately, landing at Gibson Restoration & Repair shop until he moved to Sarasota, FL in 2020. Brian is owner/operator of Suncoast Guitar Repair, and a newish member of the Grouper Cheeks, where he enjoys the wide range of influences in the Classic Rock, Americana, Country, Blues, Gospel, Funk & Soul music we play.
Nick Williams
Nick Williams
Nick Williams
Nick is a working musician/singer-songwriter living in Venice, Florida. He grew up in a small town in Michigan and moved to Florida in August of 2013. Nick is the lead singer and guitarist of cover band "Karate in the Garage." (He’ll tell you about the name later.)
Nick founded Karate with his brother John and fellow Cheek Mike Lewis (bot
Nick is a working musician/singer-songwriter living in Venice, Florida. He grew up in a small town in Michigan and moved to Florida in August of 2013. Nick is the lead singer and guitarist of cover band "Karate in the Garage." (He’ll tell you about the name later.)
Nick founded Karate with his brother John and fellow Cheek Mike Lewis (both from his original band "Lucky You"), alongside good friend and Grouper frontman Kenny Goldstone. Karate loves to jam so the band will have occasional sit-ins and over the past five years, Nick and Karate have welcomed guest musicians from all over the world on-stage. (Skòl!).
Karate in the Garage won Best (band) of Venice in 2021. Kenny and Mike are still in Karate and the band has added a few other amazing members since its inception.
Nick writes originals in many different genres and loves collaborating with other people. Band "Lucky You" (mentioned above) derived some of its influence and sound from somewhere between Foo Fighters and Alice In Chains, with a hint of something heavier.
Nick's goal is to engineer all of his originals. He has an audio engineering certificate from Full Sail University and eventually wants to further his education and develop his producer skills.
THE BASSISTS
Brad Thompson
Brad Thompson
Brad Thompson
Born in the "Steel City” (Pittsburg, PA), Brad was surrounded by a family that supported his deep love for music. This love and respect for music took Brad through many musical experiments with several instruments before he landed on the bass. Brad’s father bought him his first instrument, the keyboards, due to Brad’s respect for the band
Born in the "Steel City” (Pittsburg, PA), Brad was surrounded by a family that supported his deep love for music. This love and respect for music took Brad through many musical experiments with several instruments before he landed on the bass. Brad’s father bought him his first instrument, the keyboards, due to Brad’s respect for the band Journey. After the keyboards did not pan out, Brad’s mother bought him his first electric guitar. Throughout this time, Brad was listening to bands like Duran Duran and Guns N' Roses, which started to develop his musical outlook and appreciation for the bass. John Taylor and Duff McKagan became Brad’s bass superheroes, which led to his first bass purchase, a white Fender Jazz Bass Special. As Brad found out, just listening to music and getting an instrument was not enough - he needed a teacher and one fell in his lap. Brad wanted his music mentor to teach him Dokken and Queensryche, but his mentor challenged Brad to learn a song that changed his life – "The Trees" by Rush, making Getty Lee Brad’s ultimate bass hero. After dedicating many years of learning the bass, Brad eventually started to join bands around Florida and now he is a proud member and original bass player of The Grouper Cheeks.
Barney
Brad Thompson
Brad Thompson
Barney (aka Brian Dombrowski) is a Michigan native who has called the Sarasota, FL area home for many years. A proud father of a University of Florida student, he loves the water and is an accomplished commercial drone pilot, videographer, scuba diver, and paddle boarder.
KEYS
Matthew Hayes Pengra
Born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland (a suburb of Washington D.C.), band co-founder Matt Pengra's early life was filled with music. His father, Mike Pengra, was lead singer and upright bass player in a local band called Southern Comfort. Working through piano recitals in grade school, and blues, funk, and rock bands in high school and co
Born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland (a suburb of Washington D.C.), band co-founder Matt Pengra's early life was filled with music. His father, Mike Pengra, was lead singer and upright bass player in a local band called Southern Comfort. Working through piano recitals in grade school, and blues, funk, and rock bands in high school and college, Matt graduated Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, with degrees in Recording Arts, Digital Media, and Entertainment Business.
Starting a new tradition on one of his decade birthdays, Matt began hosting weekly jam sessions with local musicians at his house. This evolved into a foundry of music of sorts – a nucleus that has sparked many musical projects and new launches. Matt has a deep love and endless fascination for live music and the magic that can happen when creatives create together.
THE DRUMMERS
Shawn Rinehart
Shawn Rinehart
Shawn Rinehart
Our original drummer is also our photographer, editor, and creative force behind The Grouper Cheeks’ videos. His creative drum chops come from a variety of professional gigs ranging from swing bands to a Grateful Dead cover band and everything in between. His musical range brings an eclectic mix of styles that add flavor to Grouper Cheeks
Our original drummer is also our photographer, editor, and creative force behind The Grouper Cheeks’ videos. His creative drum chops come from a variety of professional gigs ranging from swing bands to a Grateful Dead cover band and everything in between. His musical range brings an eclectic mix of styles that add flavor to Grouper Cheeks’ soup.
His musical influences, which are as varied as his musical history, are Buddy Rich (Greatest Big Band Drummer), Chad Sexton (311), Stuart Copeland (The Police), Steve Gadd (Simon and Garfunkel, Chick Corea, James Taylor), Levon Helm (The Band), Clyde Austin Stubblefield (James Brown), John Bonham (Led Zepplin), and the great Alex Van Halen (Van Halen).
Throw all that in a blender with your favorite high proof alcohol and you'll start to get a taste of our favorite rhythmic specialty drink - Shawn Rinehart.
Adam Sahhar
Shawn Rinehart
Shawn Rinehart
Once a professional pirate, now an animal behind the drums! With roots in funk, pop, and reggae, coupled with his unique drum setup, Adam creates a style all his own that adds amazing flare to all kinds of diverse musical settings. Hailing from Buffalo, NY, Adam has been playing percussion since the age of 12 in a variety of groups up and
Once a professional pirate, now an animal behind the drums! With roots in funk, pop, and reggae, coupled with his unique drum setup, Adam creates a style all his own that adds amazing flare to all kinds of diverse musical settings. Hailing from Buffalo, NY, Adam has been playing percussion since the age of 12 in a variety of groups up and down the East Coast, most notably in the acoustic reggae quartet Will Hill based out of Baltimore, MD.
Growing up in a musical household, Adam instantly gravitated to the drums at a young age. For his first basement concert, he performed a drum solo to the full "Bat Out of Hell" album by rock legend Meatloaf. He draws inspiration from many genres and drummers, but none more than Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band, crediting him for inspiring his love and passion for percussion.
After moving to Florida he quickly met up with many wonderful musicians, and he plays in a variety of groups around Sarasota. "I'm happiest when I get to create music that makes people dance."
Mike Lewis
Skyler Durnye
Skyler Durnye
Born in upstate New York (Saratoga), Mike grew up a guitar player, but in his teens, when his punk rock bands realized they didn’t have a drummer, Mike stepped up to the plate. Since then, he’s been playing with another band, Karate in the Garage, with one of his best friends, and fellow Grouper, Nick Williams as well as Kenny Goldstone.
Mike enjoys writing original music, as well as entertaining thoughts about Craig’s Neapolitan pizzas. Mike hasn’t tasted one yet, but his imagination has gotten him close enough.
Mike loves to cook and also enjoys playing pick up sports at the local ball courts.
“I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.”
Skyler Durnye
Skyler Durnye
Skyler Durnye
Skyler comes from a small midwestern town called Greenville, Ohio. He watched School of Rock in 4th grade and knew his destiny. Soon he began taking beginner guitar and drum lessons at a local music school in his hometown,
D.A. Music Studios, where he was instructed by Dan Nealeigh. Soon Skyler was in multiple “student bands” where he had
Skyler comes from a small midwestern town called Greenville, Ohio. He watched School of Rock in 4th grade and knew his destiny. Soon he began taking beginner guitar and drum lessons at a local music school in his hometown,
D.A. Music Studios, where he was instructed by Dan Nealeigh. Soon Skyler was in multiple “student bands” where he had the opportunity to travel and play cover songs with other D.A. Music Studio students all over the state, including Kings Island.
When Skyler entered high school he got into heavier music started original metal bands with his friends in the area. They were called Evolove, Along Came Lucy, and Your Majesty.
When Skyler graduated high school he moved to Venice, Florida and worked in several restaurants as a cook and chef. He still plays music with a couple of his Ohio friends in a group called Awkward Friction who also live in Venice.
One night, when having an ice cold beer at Pops Sunset Grill, after his shift at Cafe Evergreen, his friend (and now co-Grouper Cheeks' bandmate) Nick Williams from Karate in the Garage invited Skyler’s wife (Kaylee) and Skyler to come up and perform a song. They took the opportunity without hesitation, and that night a new band was born - Lazy Daisies. Since 2019, Skyler and his wife have left their own little stamp in Southwest Florida through their Duo.
Sometimes confused as the "Grumpy Grouper," don’t let that fool you. Skyler is the dude and rest assured, this dude abides. He just wants to play music with the homies.
THE SONIC BRAINS
Brad Floyd
Leslie Brathwaite
Mike Orlowski
Brad grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; blessed enough to have parents who’d always leave the piano in his room when he was grounded. He learned to play guitar in his backyard, jumping off tree stumps and brick walls to Guns N’ Roses “Appetite for Destruction.” He learned to play bass because there were no tuba players in the middle schoo
Brad grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; blessed enough to have parents who’d always leave the piano in his room when he was grounded. He learned to play guitar in his backyard, jumping off tree stumps and brick walls to Guns N’ Roses “Appetite for Destruction.” He learned to play bass because there were no tuba players in the middle school band. He learned to play drums when there were no drummers...and learned to hook up all the sound equipment when there were no sound engineers.
Brad was blessed to have incredible musical mentors as well. Mr. Morrison pushed him to tap his foot when playing, Mr. Jones pushed him to listen with his fingers, and Steve Cavanaugh taught him to seek the sound his heart was always looking for.
In recent years, that drive to seek and push for that sound, that feel, that musical goodness that we all love brought him into orbit with new creative mojo, including Matt, Kenny, Shawn & The Grouper Cheeks.
Brad loves changing things up - one day guitar, the next bass, then audio engineer, then drummer, then vocals….this versatility means Brad can fill in anywhere there is a need...and also means he never gets bored.
“The Grouper Cheeks has never been the type of band I’m used to...We were born during a Pandemic...I mean...how many bands actually can say that? So our whole existence has been remote production, Zoom meetings, and finding new ways to be creative. That takes a lot of perspective shifts and ingenuity...frankly...I love that stuff! I mean what better way to shake up your creative juices than to throw out the whole playbook!”
Mike Orlowski
Leslie Brathwaite
Mike Orlowski
“Hello, I am Michael, one of the audio engineers for The Grouper Cheeks. MacGyver was my childhood hero and I had a mullet to prove it. I no longer have the locks, but my passion for creative problem solving has grown into an awesome career mixing movies, TV shows, and working with these fine folks.”
Leslie Brathwaite
Leslie Brathwaite
Leslie Brathwaite
Leslie is originally from the Virgin Islands, where a vibrant local music scene made a great impression on him. Immediately attracted to the behind-the-scenes music equipment he got himself a small multitrack recorder and set up a studio in his bedroom. To expand his horizons and learn more about recording he went to Full Sail University
Leslie is originally from the Virgin Islands, where a vibrant local music scene made a great impression on him. Immediately attracted to the behind-the-scenes music equipment he got himself a small multitrack recorder and set up a studio in his bedroom. To expand his horizons and learn more about recording he went to Full Sail University in Florida, where he attended the Recording Arts program and graduated in 1992.
Following this, Leslie moved to Atlanta, to join the emerging music scene there, courtesy of big name producers like Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface and L.A. Reid. Starting out as an intern, Leslie would eventually land a job at DARP, then Patchwork Studios, then Music Box, and currently has his own mix room at Generation Now’s Mean Street Studios.
Leslie has amassed an astonishing amount of credits including Michael Jackson, Cher, Madonna, Pink, Outkast, Boyz II Men, P. Diddy, Lauren Hill, Monica, Toni Braxton, Jeezy, Chris Brown, Björk, Aretha Franklin, TLC, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Akon, T-Pain, Eminem, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rick Ross, and many others. Leslie has been working with Pharrell Williams including having mixed “Happy," Pharrell's platinum album "G.I.R.L.," and 'N.E.R.D." which featured the hit single "Lemon (feat. Rihanna).” In 2010, was inducted in the Full Sail University Hall of Fame.
Leslie has won several GRAMMY Awards including one for mixing Cardi B's entire debut album "Invasion Of Privacy," one for mixing on Beyonce' and Jay-Z's album, "Everything Is Love,", and he has multiple Billboard Hot 100 #1 hits with Cardi B who recently secured this top spot with her singles “WAP” in 2020 and her latest release “UP” in 2021.
With a passion for giving back to students, Leslie lectures and is an adjunct professor at Full Sail University, volunteers 2 days a week at the B.E.S.T. Academy, an Atlanta Public School, teaching a Music Technology course, and travels the world as a guest speaker.
Leslie lives and works primarily in Atlanta where he calls home, with his wife Doris, his two daughters Zoey and Isabelle.
THE SOCIAL BRAIN
Beka Bishop
Coming all the way from Nashville, TN, Beka Bishop specializes in digital marketing, social media management, project management, and artist management. She is the Founder and Head of Artist Management and Marketing of B Sweet Management. She enjoys working with The Grouper Cheeks by simplifying the bridge between music promotion, audienc
Coming all the way from Nashville, TN, Beka Bishop specializes in digital marketing, social media management, project management, and artist management. She is the Founder and Head of Artist Management and Marketing of B Sweet Management. She enjoys working with The Grouper Cheeks by simplifying the bridge between music promotion, audience expansion, and the algorithm (even getting a few TikToks and IG Reels to go viral!) Beka is a Full Sail 2020 Music Business graduate who’s passions stem from her early concert going days and being a music creative herself.