Bobby Ruppe - Keyboards & Vocals
Bobby is a lifelong resident of Spartanburg and the senior member of the band. Bobby played in various bands through high school, many of which with Johnny Gooch. After finishing his hitch in the military in 1973 he started playing again. Along with Johnny Gooch he was a founding member of The Breakers in 1984. Although many years have passed he still plays a "mean" keyboard and has a "killer" upper register as heard on Ooo Baby Baby.
Johnny Gooch - Drums & Vocals
Johnny is a native of Spartanburg and began playing drums at age 14. Johnny first met Bobby Ruppe (keyboards) in his sophomore year of high school. They played together in several bands until being drafted by the military. After being discharged in 1974 they began playing again. In 1984 they left the band East Coast to form The Dynamic Breakers and remained together until New Years Eve 2000. Johnny put together a reunion gig for The Breakers in October 2005. Over the last 3 years Johnny has spoken to many fans that wish the band was still together. 2009 is the 'comeback' year for The Breakers. Johnny says the band is rejuvenated and Better Than Ever!!! Johnny plays a Palmetto custom made 4 piece drum set.
Palmetto Drum Company
JJ Guerrieri Lead Guitar
Jason Edward Guerrieri or simply "JJ" was born in Chester, SC and raised in Union, SC. JJ now holds the title as Junior Member of the band at age 28. He received his first guitar at age 12 after seeing SRV perform Hendrix on Austin City Limits. For the most part he is self taught and even today considers himself in a learning mode. He is a big fan of Jazz and especially Miles Davis. He has played in all types of bands including Country, Blues, Rock and currently working on a solo project named after the Miles Davis Album - On the Corner.
JJ plays a Fender Strat exclusively. To him, any other brand feels foreign. He uses Ernie Ball 11 guage strings and a 50 Watt Marshall Amp.
Toby Morgan - Bass Guitar and Vocals
Toby was born in Spartanburg and grew up listening to his Dad play and sing on the front porch, where he developed a love for music and a desire to play bass guitar and sing. Thanks to a local guitar instructor, he soon got his wish. While in high school the band "Fresh" was born. After winning a local talent contest, the band earned the right to compete nationally but unfortunately the band broke up. After many years and several bands later he still has the same love for live music as when he heard his first "Train Song."
Toby Plays Ernie Ball Stingray 5 Bass Guitars
Toby also plays a Fender Precision Bass
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Mark Tucker - Vocals and Percussion
Mark Tucker is a native of Greenville, SC. His interest in music began at age 11 playing drums in your typical middle and high school bands. Growing up in years and in music, he joined up with several stage bands, one of which became fairly successful under the name of "Southern Point." Mark performed regularly on the east coast for "Cellar Door Promotions" for such names as "Little Texas", "Patty Lovelace", and "John Michael Montgomery" just to name a few. One notable highlight of his years of being a country singer was making an appearance in Nashville on the hit show "Be-A-Star", which was aired on CMT. After many years with "Southern Point", the group went their separate ways and he met the members of "The Dynamic Breakers". "We put together this project, and here we are. Keep Dancin, and I hope to see you at the show" states Mark.
Russ Gaffney - Trumpet
Russ is a native of Spartanburg, but has lived in Greensboro, NC since 1985. Russ started playing while a freshman at Spartanburg High School and quickly rose to the position of Co-Principal by his Senior year. He received a Bachelors in Music Education from Winthrop University in 1984 at which time he was asked to be a founding member of the Breakers. Russ moved to Greensboro in the summer of 1985 to pursue a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance from UNCG. He played with the Breakers until 1987. Since that time he has remained very active playing with several other Beach Bands including Big John Thompson & The Rhythm Brothers. Big John was former lead singer with both The Embers and The Band of Oz. Russ can be heard on numerous recordings and has either recorded with or backed up many artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Percy Sledge, Roy Roberts, Billy Scott, Craig Woolard, The Temptations and others.
Russ plays exclusively on a custom 1957 Mt. Vernon Large Bore Bach Stradivarius with a Schilke 13A4a mouthpiece with a .22 throat.
Steve Cron - Tenor & Alto Sax
Steve is a native of Los Angeles, CA and today resides in Simpsonville, SC. His musical training has been mostly along jazz lines and he brings those inclinations to The Breakers. Steve's earliest idols were Paul Desmond and David Sanborn. He is also a big fan of Jazz heavyweights Michael Brecker, Kenny Garrett, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Rollins and Miles Davis. In addition to playing with The Dynamic Breakers, Steve is also active with the Dale Burke quartet.
Steve plays on a Yamaha 875 Custom Tenor Sax with Peter Ponzol M2 Mouthpiece, .110 tip opening and Vandoren V16 reeds.
Doug Scarborough - Trombone & Vocals
A native of Mississippi Doug comes to us by way of Colorado where he received his Doctorate in Music Composition. Doug has played with numerous individuals and groups including Arturo Sandoval, Quemando, the Motet, mindGOflip, Shawn Lane, Bobby Shew, Kenny Wheeler, Tony Furtado, Wildwood Holler!, Onda, and many more. Doug not only provides some great trombone playing, but also has a super solo voice and sings lead on several selections. He currently teaches Music Theory and Rock History at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
