Jewel Cobb - Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals and Percussion
"As bass player Don Pennington would say, "On lead vocals, from the
basketball heartland of United States - Indianapolis, Indiana,...". Growing up in
the Midwest in the early 70's, being an 8-year old with a 19-year old brother
meant listening to bands like Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf, and Crosby, Stills,
Nash & Young. And with her very own Mr. Microphone in hand, Jewel would belt
out the likes of "Teach Your Children Well", "Joy to The World",
and "Love the One You're With" while the vinyl albums she would sneak
out of here brother's room were playing in the background.
(When you're 8, you don't realize that with those headphones on that everyone
else in the house is hearing the a cappella version - sorry Mom & Dad...).
After moving to Denver in 1994 to pursue the equestrian sport of Dressage, Jewel
left music on the back burner, singing a little backup here and
there with a few friends' bands. Then in early 2000 Jewel traded in the
Mr. Microphone and her Cher albums and started doing some sets with the local
Denver band Willie and the Po' Boys. It was through Willie's band that she met
fellow band-mate, bass player Don Pennington. "Don and I talked about getting
together and jamming. He brought in long-time friend and drummer Bob Lee and
Jewel & the Rough was born!".
"I've logged a lot of stage miles and musical experience since
then (relatively speaking)! With the musical experience of the guys, though,
I've had to 'grow up' real fast." Of the Rough, Jewel says,
"Opportunities present themselves at the right time for the right reasons. I
still can't believe how lucky I've been to find such a high-quality and
professional group of musicians. Our chemistry both on-stage and off-stage is
amazing!!".
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Don Pennington - Bass Guitar, Harmony and Lead Vocals
"Growing up in my neighborhood, all of us kid's wanted to get a band going.
I got pushed into the bass because I was the youngest, and all of the older guy's
wanted the "cool" guitar and drum gigs. I promptly drew 4 strings on my
Louisville Slugger baseball bat because Paul McCartney's guitar had 4 strings and
I sucked at Little League baseball. I got my first guitar at age 11, and my first
bass a few years later. I "got" to first base that same year...another
story.
Can I go now??? It seems like there have been a zillion stages both locally and
nationally since then. I had a 7-year stint in Houston, Texas, which has a great
musical community; there are some great friends down there. Being the only Colorado
native however, it is cool to be home and playing around this great part of the
country again. Now can I go??? Get me off of this $%^$ing computer.
Just kidding....I love this s@#$!!"
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Joe Bavender - Guitar, Harmony and Lead Vocals
Joe Bavender - hard working computer geek by day - Rock and Roller by night, has
been a "wanna-be" Rock Star for over 30 years. He got his first guitar at the age of 12
(he was living in the Philippines and it literally cost him 5 bucks!). The guitar was such a POS - yet he
worked hard to learn basic chords and techniques - and he was amazed how much easier it was to play on a
quality instrument. His first public performance was with the band Pendulum at the age of 13, and he has
loved performing ever since.
Joe got married at the age of 23 and has been married now for over 23 years (do the math... 23+23=...) and somehow
he is now the father of 6 kids. Music is an important part of his family's lives as all of the kids are
blossoming musicians and great singers.
Music has been Joe's way of coping with life and is his passion. He performs in a variety of forums - from
theater, to church, to Clubs and Bars. His guitar skills are ever improving and he continues to shine on stage
with great solo work and exacting rhythm tracks. He loves to sing and is adept at multiple genres and
styles of singing and can harmonize with anybody. He currently performs in 2 bands, and is writing music
for Nashville artists. He also is the substitute of choice for several other bands. He is one of the Denver's
most well known musicians.
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Dan Hamilton - Keyboards, Harmony & Lead Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Dan first moved to the Denver area in 1984. He played with several local rock and Top-40
cover bands through the 80's and 90's including Notorious, Trainwreck, Dazzler, and Coda. The 80's
"big hair" may be gone, but Dan continues to add energy to every band performance. He has long been the
"sound man" for the bands he has worked with, and when he is not performing, he can often be found behind
the mixing console at any one of a number of festivals and other events.
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Bob Lee - Drums, Percussion
For reason's that aren't entirely clear, Bob has been "glossed" as
Squish, or Squishy Bob. He'll answer to all three, so getting his attention is
pretty easy; there are lot's of Bob's, but very few Squish's. In this writer's
opinion: anyone who remembers his first musical experience as covering Tommy James
& the Shondell's "Crimson and Clover" must be a "Squish". We'll forgive
him: he was only 12 years old.
Bob was the first kid in his neighborhood to acquire any instrument other
than "band" trumpets, trombones, or woodwinds. This made Bob cool with
the kids just over the fence; including bass player Don Pennington. Bob was in
5th grade when he and Don met; though it would be several years before the
two of them ended up in a band together.
The rock & roll influences in his playing are obvious: John Bonham, Neil Peart,
Allan White; however he'll tell you his primary mentors were jazz and fusion players
such as Chester Thompson, Billy Cobham, and "Return to Forever's" Lenny
White.
The band introduces Bob as being "born in Germany" which is a true
statement. However, he was too young to remember much of that experience.
Bob has called Denver his home for most of his life. Ask him about
"Malice in Wonderland", "UNI", "Cold Swett" and
"Wanker", and you'll appreciate his contribution to the Denver music
community.
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