GIAMPIERO COLOMBO

Guitar and Vocal

Giampiero Colombo born in Italy and now living in Zuerich is one of the most respected musicians in the country scene. He started his professional career as a musician in 1978 and toured Europe with many ‘hot’ Dance Bands. In 1990 he decided to finally realise his dream of playing in a country band and joined Jeff Turner’s Roadshow Band where he stayed for a few years. He then joined the band of number one Swiss Country artist John Brack where he still performs as a full time member. Through the years Giampiero has also played with famous Swiss Country artists like Daniela Muehleis, Britta T, Marco Gottardi, Rolf Raggenbass, Tony Lewis, etc.

Giampiero Colombo also performs as a solo artist with a repertoire of Traditional Country, New Country, Oldies from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Giampiero can be booked for all occasions; private parties, weddings, anniversaries, festivals etc.

putzie mayr

Lap Steel, Accordeon and Vocal

Putzie Mayr was born in Lausanne and started to play the accordion at the age of seven. He won several different competitions as a young artist.

In 1982 Putzie formed the group called 'Hillbilly Train'. As a big fan of Hank Williams, Putzie bought himself a Lap Steel guitar. He taught himself to play the guitar and he is still playing it to this day.

With his band Hillbilly Train Putzie started to play at the festivals in Bourges (F) and at the Paleo Festival in Nyon as well as at innumerable other concerts. After Hillbilly Train had dissolved, Putzie worked as a session musician at the Western Saloon in Montreux. From 1989 to 1991 Putzie was on European tour with 'Fiddlin' Red Levine'. In 1992 he won the 'Swiss Country Music Award' as part of Willie Nininger & Band. He stayed with Willie as part of Willie's trio and band and as a result played together with his friend Karl Guntern. Today Putzie lives in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

KEVIN NOEL

Guitar and Vocal

Kevin Noel was born in London and has worked since 1974 as a professional musician. He has toured Europe with the rock band 'Fumble' and was also part of the band when it produced its records. Kevin has written songs for the theatre and television in London. The songs were played on different radio stations in England, Germany and in Switzerland. Kevin lives in Les Moulins (VD) and with his band 'Jacks' and together with other musician friends has produced three CD's.

MICHAEL TURTLE

Drums

Born in Croydon, south London 1960.

Started in music playing drums and piano aged eight, playing in school and local youth orchestras as well as the school jazz band, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and various local rock bands. 1978 to 1981 studied percussion under James Blades at the Royal Avademy of Music in London, as well as piano and composition. Also at this time was playing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as well as drumming for 60's pop legend Kathy Kirby. Received LRAM (teaching) and GRSM (graduation) diplomas. After college became the timpanist with the Anglo-Dutch chamber orchestra Per Musica, playing with Rostropovitch and Jean Louis Stuermann in Italy, France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Great Britain. In 1984 recorded a CD of Ravel compositions and orchestrations.Between 1983 and 1985 worked as an accompanist, composer and teacher at the Laban Centre for Movement And Dance at Goldsmith's College, London, writing dance scores for many guest lecturers including ex-members of the Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham companies. Toured and worked in Austria and Germany with Luis Gonzales and company and worked at a summer school in Montpellier for three summers. During 1983 recorded a solo album at home which was released by Quiet Records. Around this time started working in various studios in London, first as a musician, then as an engineer, and later as a producer/programmer. Worked with Swimming in Sand, A Bigger Mercedes, Benjamin Zepheniah, Three Mustaphas Three, Born In The Swamp, Shinara and Guy Sigsworth. Since coming to Switzerland in 1988 worked as a programmer, arranger and producer, writing jingles for radio and TV, as well as producing, arranging and playing with such diverse artists and projects as Pingu, It's Five to Twelve, Thomas Moeckel, Dänu Siegrist, Hardy Schneiders, Bonnie Jeanne Taylor, Emmanuel Bex, Natascha, Oskar Klein, Ann Malcolm, Sue Mathys, Jürg Morgenthaler, Vince Benedetti, Luana and Charley Earley. As a bassist, played and recorded with "Tea4Two" and "d'Schmiir", as a keyboard player and drummer has played on many productions, as well as playing in the theater, including Basel Stadttheater, Basel Musical Thater and Zürich Schauspielhaus. From 1989 to 1995 was chief editor and copyist for Prietto Music Editions. In 2000 wrote music for "le prince" 2003 startted with judge gaffney and in 2005 released CD of own project DUST.

karl guntern

Bass

Karl Guntern lives in Stechelberg, in the Bernese Oberland. As a young person he played piano in his father's folk music band. At 17 he started to play e-bass and attended the Jazz School in Berne. As a further challenge Karl learnt to play the classical double bass under the guidance of Maestro Maibach in Berne.

In 1988 he joined Chrigel Riesen's country bands 'Crossover' and 'Funbillies'. Karl moved over into country music and then joined Willie Nininger in 1994. A highlight with his time in Willie's band was a trip to Willie's hometown of New York, where he appeared at numerous clubs.

Together with Willie he played innumerable gigs in Switzerland and in Europe and as a consequence has become acquainted with many different musicians from all over the world. As an insider of the country music scene he began to promote Willie and other bands under the name of Karls Music

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