The recipe for great country music: Mix three powerful guitars, one heaping amount of bass, killer drums, two levels of keyboards, a classic pedal steel guitar, six-part harmony...and what do you get? J.R. Booker...the area's fastest rising Country Band.

J.R. BOOKER

What makes J.R.Booker different is that they are all accomplished musicians and vocalists. In total, they play over 15 instruments, and have over a century of musical experience among them. Their influences range from The Beatles to Brooks and Dunn, and from Stevie Wonder to the Sons of the Pioneers. Their former bands and experience include Blue Grass, Top 40, Jazz, Classic Rock, Blues, and now they have returned to their first love - Country.

Individually, they have performed throughout the United States, and have had their songs played on local radio stations. As a group, they now perform regularly at clubs in the Washington, DC-Maryland area. They have also written commercials, jingles, spoofs, and Country songs. In short, these are not just six guys that got together and decided to “try their hand” at Country. They are versatile, they are professional, and they are awesome.

Their repertoire includes the Classics: The Gatlin Brothers, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Sons of the Pioneers, and Hank Williams, Jr.; and today's artists: Alabama, Big & Rich, Brooks and Dunn, Trace Adkins, Diamond Rio, Allan Jackson, Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, George Strait, and Travis Tritt, just to name a few.

Band Members:

	Mark Magistrelli (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica) Classical training including instruction from Don Keefer. Performed with Rainsong and Trademark. Guitar teacher.			Ken McGaffin (keyboards, vocals) Played with bands such as Patuxent, Easy, and Bacchaus. Has been singing, playing guitar, and keyboards for many years.
	Murray Fentress (vocals, guitar) Toured with Collage, Encore, Patuxent, and West Wind. Has played for Buddy Hackett and Joan Rivers.			Steve Sitton (vocals, drums) Played with the band Feather for over 20 years. Presently runs a recording studio and sound company.
	Pat Dawson (pedal steel guitar, bass, fiddle, and vocals) Pat studied pedal steel guitar under the legendary Buddy Charleton. Played bass and vocalized with Feather for 20 years.			Paul Buker (vocals, bass guitar) Paul received his B.A. in Vocal Performance/ Composition from University of Maryland and has played in several bands including Tell Gadara, The Scot-Free Band and others. A former Baltimore City police officer, Paul is now the Director of Music at Harford Community Church and teaches instrumental & vocal music from his home studio.
J.R. Booker would not be possible without the help of:
	Dave Wagner (producer, sound guru, agent, and more!) J.R. Booker would not be possible without Dave's talents and skills. Dave is the underlying backbone of our success, handling a slew of technical, logistical, and sound production issues that make our shows possible.

Who was J.R. Booker?
The band takes its name from the lead singer's late father-in-law, J.R. Booker, who was a stock car-racing, truck-driving, blue jean-wearing, rockfishing, giant-hearted, truly amazing man who believed in family and loved his country music. This band and the music we play celebrate those very ideals.