The Bill Derry Band From left: Melany Vorass, Bill Derry, John Kim, Susan Moore, Carlos Herrera, Melany Vorass, Bill Derry, guitar, vocals.

Bill sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar. He brought the musicians together. Bill has been playing guitar since he was 11. In junior high, Bill started his first band and performed for the 9th grade graduation party with just himself and a drummer. The next year Bill and Gary added other musicans and became the Escorts. The Escorts played high school and college dances throughout the northwest. They placed second in the battle of the bands at the Teen Fair at Seattle Center. The band lasted into the college years when the members scatterec to other locations for college and careers. Bill also played in a competitive high school jazz band and went on to audition for and sing in the University of Watshington Chorale. In 1998, Bill sat-in with another band for a concert and got hooked again. In his other job, Bill works as a consultant at CH2M HILL to manage and protect water resources. Bill is the President of the Board of Directors for People for Puget Sound.

Susan Moore, guitar, vocals, bass
Susan is a singer/songwriter / guitarist who plays with SteepleChase (www.steeplechasemusic.com) and also enjoys performing with various other friends. She started playing out in college with a cover band that performed in NYC, Philly, and the beaches of NJ and DE (well, she really started playing the trumpet in the 4th grade). She loves listening to and playing folk, jazz, rock, and bluegrass! She is an enironmental consultant by day.

John Kim – DrumsHaving started piano lessons at age 5, John began studying drums with unbridled enthusiasm in the grade. Thirty-six years later, he is still studying drums with unbridled enthusiasm. In that time, he has played in literally hundreds of bands and has played every style of music from punk to classical and everything in between. John has recorded and toured extensively on the East Coast from New Hampshire down to Washington, D.C. Happy to call Edmonds, WA home, John favors any approach to music that encourages the audience to get off their butts and get down with their “bad” selves! fifth

CarlosHerrera, Percussion and Harmonica - 

Carlos rounds out the rhythm section with shade s of latin and soul inspired percussion and plays harp on the bands bluesier numbers.  Carlos, orginally from Cuba, has played in various latin, jazz, rock, blues and folk bands in the Puget Sound area and lists some of his influences as Poncho Sanchez, Ray Barreto, Lee Oskar and John Mayal.  In addition to the Bill Derry Band, Carlos has recently performed with Eric Fidrich, Shakin Joie, and Six of One.                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                          Melany Vorass, accordian, vocals

Melany and her versatile accordion contribute a unique flavor to our sound especially on our roots rock tunes.  She offers up great harmonies and fills in our percussion trio.  Melany has been playing piano and accordion with professionals since whe was 11 years old.  Her influences include Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Neco Case, Bonnie Raitt, Townes Van Zandt, Queen Ida, Guy Clark, Little Feat, Los Lobos and John Lee Hooker.  In addition to the Bill Derry Band, Melany has most recetnly performed with Buddha Magoo and Six of One.