BAND MEMBERS

Ben Smith

Instrument:

Lead and Backing Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Rhythm Guitars

Influences:

Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, George Jones

Experience:

After spending time in small bands and as a solo acoustic artist, Ben teamed up with Trey Thompson to perform as an acoustic duo with various guests. This was the birth of Steel Horses. The band would see many changes in personnel over the next few years, but the current lineup (with Ben at the front) has a fire like none of the previous match-ups. Ben’s deep, full, strong southern voice has him on the favorites list for local singers, and soon he’ll be in your town too…..

Trey Thompson

Instrument:

Lead and Backing Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitars

Influences:

Brent Mason, Alabama, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Brad Paisley, Neal Schon, Steve Gaines

Experience:

Trey has spent countless nights onstage. Harmony for Humanity, Bullet Band, T&J, Few of 99 (which later became Christian rockers Hyperdrive), and other bands have all had him onboard. Trey met Ben four years ago and started Steel Horses. Starting as an acoustic duo with Ben on lead vocals and Trey on lead guitar, the twosome slowly added a drummer and bassist and moved on to playing full band shows. It was a natural progression, and it allows Trey to showcase both his guitar-slinging ability and his voice.

Brian Wilson

Instrument:

Lead and Backing Vocals, Lead, Rhythm, and Slide Guitars

Influences:

Warren Haynes, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Jeff Healey, Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Eric Johnson, Jimmy Herring, Zakk Wylde, Jerry Garcia, Stephen Stills, Collective Soul, Pete Anderson

Experience:

After dabbling in local theater and television, Wilson started “the hourglass band” in 1995. He was 15 years old. He quickly developed a reputation of being both hard-working and stubborn, earning him the nickname “Plow Mule.” That group was a local favorite, but after releasing a full length CD in 2000 college took members of the band away. Wilson went on to play with Andrew Black all over Georgia as a lead guitar player/backing vocalist until reuniting (musically) with his brother Mark in Steel Horses.

John “The Foot” Tombyll

Instrument:

Drums, Percussion, and Backing Vocals

Influences:

Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, John Bonham, Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Chick Corea, the list goes on….

Experience:

Playing since 1980, John was an All-State high school musician 12 years before youngest member Mark was. Soon after high school, John hit the road with XLR8 (1988-92) and Mother Tongue (1992-94). After those tours, John spent time closer to home with Willie Hightower and Chris Wall, and also spent time in the New Jersey Pops and the New Jersey Opera before moving to Georgia and joining Steel Horses.

Mark “Dragon” Wilson

Instrument:

Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar

Influences:

Berry Oakley, Allen Woody, Charlie Wooten, Christian McBride, Sting, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Ian Moore, Dave Matthews Band

Experience:

The youngest member of the group, Mark still has a lifetime in performing. He performed in local theater productions of “The Music Man” and “Fiddler on the Roof” and did some television. Then, at age 12, he played a key role in starting “the hourglass band” with his brother, Brian. He played his first show with a few weeks’ practice, and hasn’t put the bass down since. Dubbed “The Dragon” by bandmates, Mark is a master of lighting a fire under everyone around him. In between “hourglass” and Steel Horses, Mark spent time auditioning for positions of esteem within Georgia’s high school jazz program. After two years as an All-State jazz bass player and a summer as jazz bassist through the Governor’s Honors Program of Georgia, Mark learned from the best, and now takes that knowledge and helps direct the sound of Steel Horses.