bio

JACK HAYES - Lead Guitar / Vocals
Jack first started playing the guitar at the age of 6 because he wanted to emulate his favorite cowboy, Roy Rogers. He started taking lessons at the age of 7, but was a very bad student....until he quit taking lessons and discovered the Beatles. He formed his first band in the 6th grade, featuring songs such as "Louie Louie", "Gloria", and "Pipeline". For the band's first gig, they had a friend who wanted to be in the band, but he couldn't play an instrument, so they gave him a guitar and he came up on stage and faked it. For that gig, the friend was the most dynamic of all of them on stage!

After taking lessons for just a couple of years as a young child, Jack developed as a self taught rock and blues guitarist. His benchmark for his distinctive style of guitar playing reaches back to the innovative blues and rock solo's of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix during the late 60's. Other inspirations for him were the Beatles, the Byrds, the Yardbirds, the Moody Blues, and Jethro Tull.

In the late 90's, after putting together an impromptu band for his high school reunion, Jack decided that he had more playing (on a live performance level) left in his blood, and shortly thereafter formed the band Stratus Phear. In the years that things came together with Stratus Phear, Jack has developed his unique blend of rhythmic and soulful manner of playing to culminate in a style totally suited to the music that Stratus Phear plays today.
Jack is very grateful to have become acquainted with Pam, Wayne, David, Bill, and Marianna, and is now having a great time making wonderful rockin' music with them.

MICHAEL WILSON - Keyboard / Vocals
Mike recorded his first demo at a studio in Hollywood at the age of 17. While in college, he joined a working band in Southern California mostly to promote his original songs. Playing music became his career for the next 15 years, still working towards getting a recording contract with the various groups he played with.

In 1986, Mike became a staff producer at Hollywood Sound Recorders. Since then, he's concentrated on writing, producing and promoting his songs as well as working with other artists in the studio he built at his house. He's worked with quite a few great musicians, most of whom nobody has heard of because they were behind the scenes playing on famous artists records. One band he was in toured with Sheb Wooley (Purple People Eater fame) and Sheb and Mike co-wrote a song for Donny Osmond back in the early 70's. Donny didn't record it but hey, it was great working with an accomplished songwriter. Mike's having fun playing with Stratus Phear because they do a lot of songs he grew up listening to but didn't play, and also because he has developed some great friendships.

Here's a link to Mike's studio web page www.mtmcstudios.com

PAM COCHRAN - Vocals
Pam comes from a very musical family. Her mother taught her to harmonize and taught piano for many years. Her father plays guitar, piano and sings (even recorded an album and sang on the same show with Tommy Overstreet when he was young). She started singing as a trio with her two sisters for church when she was six years old up until high school. Her mother will tell you that she actually started singing much younger (you know how moms are). She continued her singing with her high school choir where she was section leader and in ensemble. She is very proud that her oldest son is in a rock band in California. He plays guitar, drums and sings.

After high school, Pam sang with a few bands occasionally (one song at a time) and then joined a country band called Express in Texas. At about that time, she was approached by an agent for the casinos in Las Vegas, but decided she should raise her terrific children instead. Music has always been something she has treasured and she missed it.

One night she was singing karaoke at a local bar where Jack heard her sing. The rest is history. She is very grateful and excited to be a part of such a great band and to be singing with such terrific guys, as well as, great musicians.

WAYNE IVEY - Vocals
Wayne is from Indiana and has been singing in bands since he was 14 years old. His first attempts were in heavy metal but at 15 he discovered BB King and the blues. He has an avid interest in blues history.

At the age of 22 he joined the army and, even there, he was tapped to sing the National Anthem when his sergeant heard him singing in the shower. When his tour was up he joined a professional band in which he sang and played guitar. He then made another 2 year attempt with a metal band, but circumstances led him to move to Albuquerque and abandon his love of singing for about 3 years. He decided to return to music and responded to an ad Jack had placed for a singer.

Wayne's unbelievable vocal range allows Stratus Phear to perform songs other bands only dream about playing. His unique combination of power and soul and his masterful ability to sing a wide variety of genres solidifies him as one of the key elements to the "Stratus Phear sound". Whether it's a ballad or a screaming rocker, Wayne just delivers. He must be heard to believe!

DOUG FLINT - Bass Guitar / Vocals
Doug began playing in bands in 1967, at age 14, back when everybody was in a band. He toured professionally in the 70's across the US from Maine to New Mexico playing the hotel circuit 6 nights a week. Finally settling down in the 80's in his home state of Vermont, Doug got a real job, got married, started a family, and became a weekend warrior, playing music on weekends. He moved to New Mexico in 1996, playing country music with Cactus Moon for 3 years, City Lights for 1 year, and recently joined Stratus Phear.

"Playing for 42 years, I've had some great experiences playing with some great players" says Doug. "I guess at age 56 this makes me a "seasoned professional". "I've told myself I think I have one more good band in me". "Stratus Phear is a great band and I couldn't be happier being a part of this group". It's a lot of work but it's so much damn fun I just can't stop"!

DAVID BROWN - Drums
David is 47 years old and has been playing drums since he was 5. He started in Concert Band when he was elementary school, but in 1970, he received a pair of sticks, practice pad, and an Iron Butterfly-Evolution album (Does anyone remember them?) for Christmas, and he's been hooked ever since. He did a lot of band and solo percussion work through high school and majored in Percussion at UNC from '80-'84 but, his love has always been the drum set. He spent 10 years in Los Angeles, touring with several bands and recording multiple CD's, but a close call in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake sent him to Albuquerque, reuniting him with his parents, who had recently retired here. He's been rocking out, writing music, and teaching drums ever since!

He's supremely jazz'd about drumming with Stratus Phear and he highly recommends that you check us out! He believes that we're the best Classic Rock experience in Albuquerque!

In addition, David teaches drumming... from beginner to advanced! To see videos of him playing, please visit his YouTube Channel.