Biographies

Marty J


Marty started playing guitar in his early days of Jr. High School. However, a hobby became a profession as he began playing and singing in bands and teaching guitar in a local music store.


Marty has written many original songs and often does some of them on stage. A Blue Flash CD is on the way! He has opened for a number of Texas artists including Mark May, Joe "King" Carosco, and Roky Erickson.


His Blues-rock playing styles demonstrate his many influences--B.B King, S.R.V., Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, and some Rockabily, to boot.


In the 'bluesman' tradition, he often plays guitar behind his head or with his teeth to present an interesting and exciting show!!

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Guitar Greg


A true Houston native, Greg enjoys all styles of music but plays Texas blues and classic rock with the band. "Texas music, especially the blues, has always touched me. Guitarists Billy Gibbons, Stevie Ray, and Eric Johnson are like local heroes. T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Albert Collins, Lightnin' Hopkins, and all those old cats are still very influential to me."


A member of numerous bands over the years, Greg plays Fender guitars and amps and has played with Blue Flash since '97. "I really enjoy playin' with Marty. He is a great player in his own right." As for the future, Greg hopes to entertain as many people as the band can play for. "It's all about communication. If the people are smiling or dancing, I'm a happy camper."

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Ronbo


Ron (nicknamed Ronbo from his Viet Nam days) is described as a savvy character that comes from a diverse background of music and instruments. His first venture into the World of music began in the very early 60's when he first picked up a ukulele and played "Yellow Bird." Shortly afterward, he joined Band in school and took up the trumpet and drums occasionally borrowing a Baritone and a Trombone on the weekends. He still played his ukulele until his dad bought an acoustic guitar and he began playing the basic chords and progressed to more complex chord configurations.


Then he bought a cheap set of drums for $75 and in 8th grade took home first place in his band named "Element of Surprise" at a playoff in Honolulu, Hawaii. After switching back and forth between drums and guitar, he went into the military where he then picked up his first electric bass guitar. His band named "Starburst" was awarded the official squadron band and played for enlisted and officers alike.


After the military, he was approached at a jam session to join an Elvis cover band named "Reflections," where he and the band was quite popular immediately after Elvis' death. He's jammed and sat in with several popular groups in the Houston area. He has been with Blue Flash for over eight years. His influences come from many genres of music, e.g., Hard Rock, Country, Jazz, Blues, Motown, and Easy Listening.


A few of his favorite tunes he plays are from bands like Eric Clapton, Yes, Wishbone Ash, Bad Finger, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, CCR, Rolling Stones, Eagles, Elvis, 3 Dog Night, Nilson, Rick Derringer, Jeff Beck, The Who, Kiss, The Guess Who, Bad Company, Beatles/McCartney, War, Steppin' Wolf, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, SRV, 5th Dimension, Allman Brothers, and many more.


Ronbo uses Ampeg bass Equipment and Fender, Schecter, Peavey, and Ibanez basses, both fretted and fretless. Whenever anyone feels the earth moving under their feet, it's most likely that Ronbo is playing his "big rig" amp setup and is enjoying the solid bass vibrations while at the same time getting a full body massage from the wonderful caress of Bass.

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Dave


A highly in demand drummer on the Houston scene. Dave has played with numerous local bands, and currently plays with Traffic Jam as well as Blue Flash.