Michael Beaman - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Michael Beaman considers Steely Dan to be one of his primary musical influences, beginning when he purchased their first album in 1972. He is an accomplished singer, guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He has toured live dates, served as a session guitarist, and has even recorded jingles for many businesses in the Sacramento area. His resume includes numerous album projects as an artist or contributor. In addition to being a member of Steelin' Dan, Michael currently serves as worship pastor at Westside Christian Church in Roseville, CA. Michael has an uncanny ability to deliver the Steely Dan vocals in a way that is truly authentic!  Additionally, he impresses with his amazing guitar chops and his natural ability to communicate with the audience.

  Kurt Shiflet - Guitar
After embracing the guitar at an early age, Kurt Shiflet attended Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in Hollywood, CA where he studied with such greats as Don Moch, Joe Diorio and Chick Corea Elektric Band guitarist Frank Gambale. After GIT, Kurt attended Sacramento State University where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree, and went on to earn his Master of Arts in Music degree in classical guitar performance. Although he loves both jazz and classical, he is a rocker at heart being heavily influenced by the blues and R&B of the 70's. Kurt is a sought after performer in the northern California area, playing with several different groups with varying genres, as well as with Sacramento Music Circus. Kurt is a full-time music professor at Sacramento City College. His love for the Steely Dan catalogue goes way back, and he demonstrates his amazing skill by replicating the signature guitar work for which Steely Dan is so well known. Kurt plays custom guitars from Joe Dragony.

  Charley Langer - Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument, 
          Horn Transcriptions / Arrangements
Charley Langer graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master's degree in saxophone performance. He has performed concert saxophone with artists and groups such as Morton Gould, John Adams, Zita Carno, and the Pacific and Santa Monica Symphony Orchestras. His experience includes numerous live venues, television, and radio. After relocating to Hawaii, he performed with a number of local entertainers, including island chart-topper Jon Basebase ("Suddenly"), the Bobby King Royal Combo, and the Willie Barton Orchestra. He has played and/or recorded with contemporary Christian artists Julie Meyer, Chris DuPre, Pablo Perez, Gregg Stone, and others. Charley recently released his first solo CD entitled "Never The Same". Among the musicians featured on the CD are: Ron Wikso, Alphonso Johnson, Matt Bissonette, Kurt Griffey, Wally Minko, and Michito Sanchez. For more information about Charley's CD, click HERE. Charley enjoys playing on the worship team at The Rock of Roseville. Charley plays a vital role in Steelin' Dan, and is well known for his skill and discipline that enables him to perform the timeless Steely Dan sax solos note-perfect! He also plays the EWI (electronic wind instrument), writes the horn charts, and leads the horn section. With Ron, Charley is the longest-standing member of Steelin' Dan.

  Ron Hall - Bass Guitar, Founder & Manager
Ron Hall began his musical journey at a very young age, starting with the piano, then guitar, until discovering the bass at the age of 13. Inspired primarily by Old School R&B, funk, rock and blues, Ron is a veteran bassist with a long history of performing with many working bands in his native San Francisco bay area and throughout Northern California. He received a SAMMIE Award (Sacramento News & Review's "Sacramento Area Music Award") as bassist with The Blue Prairie Band. Ron is also respected for his tireless efforts as an advocate and promoter of live music in the Sacramento and surrounding areas, working with many different organizations, agents and venue operators. In July 2003, Ron decided to follow his passion and love of Steely Dan's music, and made the decision to create a band that could authentically replicate Steely Dan's music live. In addition to managing Steelin' Dan, Ron continues writing and is currently developing his solo project MADD DOG.

  Maurice Montgomery - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Maurice Montgomery was awarded a music scholarship to the University of Nevada where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. He then earned a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music where he studied with Herb Pomeroy and the world-renowned Carmine Caruso. Maurice is currently a member of the California Musical Theatre Orchestra performing in Broadway Shows at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre and Music Circus. He has shared the stage with many of the biggest names in show business including Burt Bacharach, Nancy Wilson, The Beach Boys, Cher, Natalie Cole, Liza Minelli, Pointer Sisters, Lou Rawls, John Denver, Frank Sinatra, and Manhattan Transfer. Maurice has also performed as a member of the orchestras for several Television Specials including The Tony Orlando Show, Dionne Warwick Show, Jerry Lewis Show and Sammy Davis Jr. Show. In addition to being a member of Steelin' Dan, Maurice teaches private lessons at Sacramento Country Day School and Tim's Band Instruments.

  Bob Williams - Trombone
Veteran trombonist Bob Williams is a much sought-after musician in Northern California. He boasts an impressive resume, starting with extensive training in both jazz and classical music as a young student. As he continued to develop his skills, he built a reputation among a long list of bands and orchestras covering a wide range of musical styles. For ten years Bob led the internationally known Wooden Nickel Jass Band, which was a fixture on the Dixieland and Traditional Jazz circuit. In addition to being a member of Steelin' Dan, Bob performs regularly with jazz groups Sister Swing and The Fulton Street Jazz Band. Bob is a past president of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, which produces the world-famous annual Sacramento Jazz Festival & Jubilee. Bob performs as a freelance player with several hi-caliber bands, and is always in-demand due to his skill and specialization in a number of genres.

  Ray Merrill - Drums, Percussion
Ray Merrill started playing drums at the age of 16, after many years of playing trumpet in jazz, concert and stage bands in school. Arguably a late bloomer as drummers go, but his experience as a lead trumpet player has given him an innate sensitivity and a great ear. Once he caught the drum bug he never looked back. Under the tutelage of many great drum teachers such as Joe Porcaro, David Garibaldi of Tower of Power, Brian Melvin, Scott Morris and Pete Magadini to name a few. Ray has worked and played hard to develop a broad spectrum of styles, solid meter and his own approach to infectious grooves. This work has not gone unnoticed. Ray has played live and recorded with such artists as Al Stewart, Burt Bacharach, Gary Burr, Lamont Dosier, Trine Rein, Ronnie Montrose, Mic Fleetwood, Lee Roy Parnell, The Indigo Girls, Lisa Loeb, Kieran Goss and many others. Over the years Ray has held the drum seat for local Bay Area bands such as TED302, Buckeye, Dean DelRay and The Jimmy’s. In addition to being a member of Steelin' Dan, he is currently working with The Bacchus Brothers, Johnny Smith, and his own respected jazz-fusion band, Faldo's Toy.

  Julie Adams - Vocals
Julie Adams is an accomplished singer and conductor with a passion for using music to make a positive difference in our communities. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree from California State University, Long Beach and her Master of Music Degree from California State Universty, Sacramento. Equally comfortable with classical and jazz styles, Julie has conducted and performed with large choral ensembles, chamber choirs and jazz ensembles throughout her career. Julie began her teaching career at American River College in 1992. She served on the music faculty at California State University, Sacramento for nine years where she taught vocal jazz. Julie has presented choirs and workshops to the American Choral Director's Association and the California Music Educator's Association. She is an active guest conductor, judge and clinician and her choirs have been honored with performances at state-wide and regional events. In 2005, Julie was a National Philanthropy Day Distinguished Honoree for her work with the a capella ensemble Reconciliation Singers Voices of Peace (RSVP). Julie established RSVP in 2000, and since then the group has been presenting thought-provoking, uplifting, and entertaining concerts that support local humanitarian organizations. Julie is also conductor of Cantate, one of the five choirs of the award-winning Sacramento Children’s Chorus.

    Tom Whinnery - Keyboards, Harmonica
Tom Whinnery began playing piano at a very young age and excelled quickly throughout his school years.  While attending American River College, he performed in the ARC Stage Band, and then went on to Berklee College of Music from '79 - '82.  He has also studied under Jerry Murphy.   Tom has served as the touring keyboardist for many name acts, including: The Guess Who, The Drifters, Jeff Watson (Night Ranger), Norton Buffalo and Jerry Martini (Sly & the Family Stone).  He is a respected musician, both on-stage and in the studio, and boasts many TV performances and special event productions to his credit.  In addition to being a member of Steelin' Dan, Tom also performs with Garrett Wilkins & The Parrotheads, Pete Rose and The Jerry Martini Band.  He teaches private lessons and is the manager of the Keyboard Dept. at Skip's Music (in Sacramento, CA). 

 Steve Walker - Sound Engineer - Point Source Sound
Steve Walker's resume covers 30+ years experience as a live sound and studio engineer. He spent four years at Golden Era Studios recording and mixing sound for film. He also spent seven years at KRSV television in Roseville, CA at the mixing console for Friday Night Live, a one-hour live music broadcast. In addition to his role as Steelin' Dan's full-time soundman, Steve works with Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers, Gene Thorpe and the Fabulous Devilles, the 80's All-Starz, the Annual Blues in the School events, and hundreds of festivals and civic events throughout Northern California. Steve is owner/operator of Point Source Sound, providing studio and live event audio and recording services. Some of his clients include RSVP, Nuance, The BP's, The Transmitters, Vibrafari, and Sage Daily.

Michelle Shiflet - Photographer

Check out Michelle's photos of the band on this site and also online at:

Michelle's Gallery #1