MARICOPA MADMAN
consists of
Tarrah Speer - Lead Vocals
Kris Milam - Vocals
Dennis Gronbeck - Lead Guitar
Jeremy Kurn - Keyboards
Tad Wheeler - Drums
Kirby Case - Bass Guitar
Davey Harp - Harmonica
Maricopa Madman: Bios
Tarrah Speer - Lead Vocals
Tarrah Speer began her music career at the age of 12 singing in musicals, plays and various vocal groups in the small town of Joplin, Missouri. In High School, Tarrah was the lead singer of the band Project 4:13 which played various festivals, parties and high school graduations. Tarrah left in 2000 to attend the University of Kansas where she was part of a jazz duo performing at clubs and restaurants. In 2005, Tarrah auditioned for the Kansas City American Royal Superstar and was one of only 7 finalists selected out of the over 2,000 that auditioned. The competition consisted of 4 nights of performances in front of Mercury Records and BMG Record Executives. Through that competition, Tarrah met Lisa Monet, musician, writer and producer. Monet contracted with Tarrah to write 3 original songs and hosted a CD Release party for Tarrah's 3 song demo in front of a packed house at the Quality Hill Playhouse in downtown Kansas City. Tarrah can also add to her credits having performed on stage at the PRA Rodeo with Terri Clark. In 2007, Tarrah sang for KC’s classic rock band 'Selective Memory'. Tarrah moved to Denver in 2008 where she is now the lead singer for Maricopa Madman.
Kris Milam - Vocals
Kris Milam is a singer/songwriter originally from Batesville, MS. Kris began her music career as a child singing in school groups and church choirs. In later years, she met John Ingram, a fellow musician and co-owner of a local radio station. Working with Mr. Ingram, Kris focused on singing piano tunes that ranged from Carly Simon to Reba McEntire. In 2005, she moved to Colorado to begin work on backup vocals for live shows as well as the first solo album for local musician, Robert Michael and The Robert Michael Band. Kris's passion for music comes from a long line of family musicians, including her Dad, whom she says is her inspiration. Kris looks forward to living life to the fullest and sharing that love of music with Maricopa Madman.
Dennis Gronbeck - Lead Guitar
“Music soothes, excites, calms, anticipates and collects all our sensory perceptions into an imaginative reality where we are what needs to be.”
From Wis, then Cali, now in Colo, classically trained brass and vocals, he says name a music and he probably listens to it. “Been a lot of places, who haven’t I seen?” Played rock since early age and performed for years in pro Midwest regional rock bands thru North Central Productions.
Not long ago, met a friend with whom a lot of these songs were written.
Jeremy Kurn - Keyboards
BIO on its way
Tad Wheeler - Drums, percussion
Tad Wheeler possesses talents and interests in many different directions. As a musician, he is known primarily for his solo piano work, drumming and percussion, and electronic music; he is also an engineer, producer, programmer, fine artist, graphic artist, film editor and producer, and most currently a research analyst in pathology.
Tad has been the drummer for the Denver-based bands Why, Madrigal Sanctuary, The Galt Line, AllaGallen, DreamSpeak, and Toastbox.
In addition to drumming, Tad has composed over 20 soundtracks, released 14 electronic CDs and 15 CD singles. Tad is working on the endless task of publishing his entire library of solo piano works and has just released the piano compilations “epoch – episodes 1 and 2.”
Kirby Case - Bass Guitar
BIO on its way
Davey Harp - Harp
Davey Harp has appeared on Harmonica with Bonnie Raitt (1983), on tour with Lonnie Mack (1985) who was a major Icon of Stevie Ray Vaughn's, and Jimmy Ibbotsen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1979). He belonged to the band Bleaker Street and opened @ the Fox Theater in Boulder for Taj Mahal, JJ Cale, Concrete Blond and many others. Besides Dennis, the founder of this group, he is the only remaining original member of Maricopa Madman. He has appeared in 9 films such as "Officer and a Gentleman". He spent 4 years with the Denver Symphony Orchestra Chorus and 1 season with Opera Colorado. He holds a Music Degree in Voice with a combined college trail that includes Cal Berkley, University of Washington, University of Colorado, and finally Metropolitan State College of Denver. Dave is currently working on 7 screenplays and hopes to have a hit with his daughter Katie who is appearing May of 2008 in the movie - "Sex In The City".