PHUN Pharm BAND, Aiken, SC
In 2010, Josh was introduced to multiple award-winning producers Ken Pearson and Todd Washburn, executives of Lure Records. They knew immediately that they had come across a likeable, talented country music singer they could mentor. And they were so impressed with Josh's singing and songwriting capability; they offered him a contract and a national promotions campaign.
He recorded his debut single “The Sound of Her Leaving” and released it to national radio early in 2010. The tune peaked at #23 on Main Country Charts and #6 on USA Roots True Country Chart's Top 50.
Since signing with Lure Records, Josh has been performing nonstop - acoustically, and with a series of backing bands. Now working with the all-star Phun Pharm Band, Josh Hilley is a must see show.
THE PHUN PHARM BAND
Mike Brigham, Drums and Vocals
There was a time Mike's day job was playing coliseums, clubs, concert halls and stadiums with national recording artists that included Dave Loggins, Gary Morris, BJ Thomas, JC Crowley and others.
It was the mid-70's when his adventure started. Mike played drums for the popular 70s Augusta-based band Buford, a collection of local artists that have gained notoriety for their continuing success in the musical industry.
Concurrently, he was recording congas and percussion for James Brown's “Mutha Nature” album, played a couple of gigs with Steve Morse and Andy West (Dixie Dregs) and from there joined the ranks of the touring musician.
He's appeared at the Grand Old Opry, on Austin City Limits, Hee Haw, Music City USA, Nashville Now, among others; showcased in “Modern Drummer” magazine; and has a YouTube stick tricks video demonstration posted on behalf of Silver Fox drumsticks who has sponsored Mike for nearly three decades.
In addition, he's played around the southeast with the Robbie Ducey Band, Georgia Rhythm, Southern Impact and countless others.
The PHUN PHARM BAND is proud to have Mike Brigham keeping the beat.
Jero Earnest, Guitars and Vocals
An Augusta, GA native, Jerry Earnest (or Jero as his friends call him) started playing guitar – professionally - when he was 17 years old. And he's been playing ever since - all over the United States - in a variety of musical groups.
A masterful guitarist, and no stranger to performing in all types of venues, some of the national and international artists his bands have shared the stage with include Peter Frampton, America, Three Dog Night, Little River Band, Bad Company, Johnny Paycheck, John Anderson, The Derek Trucks Band, T. Graham Brown, Joe Diffie, Tracy Lawrence, Dangerous Dan Toler and many more.
Local CSRA acts and artists Jero has played with include the incredibly popular Mr. FUNN Band, Pirate, Rapid City, Steve Chappel and the Bullets, Steve Chappel and the Augusta Allstars, The Bud Moffett Band, The BTU's with Willie Tolbert, Tim Brooks and the Alien Sharecroppers, Terrance Lonon and the Untouchables, Robin Dixon and The Midnight Moon. He currently performs with several local acoustic artists in his spare time.
Over the years, he's taught guitar, provided mixing and sound reinforcement services, and from time to time worked in local music stores as a tech guru and part-time luthier.
David Goodwick, Bass
Holding down the bottom end in The Phun Pharm Band, David has a broad musical background which has provided the opportunity to play the US and Europe with a variety of musical troupes.
He has written, performed and produced three CDs with his own bands - Playback and GIA, and produced a handful more under his own independent label, Bandwick Productions.
He's written jingles and commercials and sound beds for Coca Cola, IBM, Oracle, GE and others. Along with Brian Alden, he's partnered, produced and promoted concerts with the likes of comedian George Carlin, Spyro Gyra, Grammy award-winning bassist Stanley Clarke, Gino Vanelli and others.
He has conceived and/or played with a variety of local bands including Atomic Road, Juke Joint Junkies, Storm Branch Band, Tripp Powell and Co. and recently played bass with Dave Ball and Procol Harum's Palers Band in Germany.
His mother taught piano for 62 years, and his uncle was a respected professional musician and touring trumpeter in big band ensembles. David started playing trumpet at a young age, and was at one time ranked Wisconsin's #1 high school trumpet player. His rock 'n roll interest began on a Wurlitzer keyboard at age 11. Gradually he moved to guitar. Today David is the Bass player and manages his Aiken, SC Phun Pharm Studio.
Jim Hampton, Pianist, NORD Keyboards and Vocals
Jim has been a fixture in the South Carolina midlands music scene for a number of years, playing in local groups and headlining the popular Bucket List Band, a consortium of “jam” band players that regularly invite guest performers to join them on stage – 85 of them in the last year-and-a-half alone.
He brings a wide variety of repertoire and styles to the band, having played nearly every genre throughout his musical pilgrimage.
Recently, Jim performed with the Aiken-originated MOD VI band at the third annual Charlotte, NC '60s Rock & Roll Reunion playing classic covers and originals including their hit “It's Not The Same.
Locally, he plays periodic shows with Anybody's Guess, and has worked with the Kenny George Band, Southern Conduct and from time to time lends his to expertise to recording keyboard tracks for others in the studio.
Transplanted from Illinois to Aiken, he loves his NORD.
Doug McGuire, Pedal Steel Guitar, Banjo, Guitar, Vocals
A musician's musician, Doug was inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012 in recognition of his many years of performing at military bases all over the world.
Doug started singing when he was three years old. Fast forward through the years, he's shared the stage with Grand Ole Opry Artist Warner Mack, Joe Stampley, Jody Lynn, Doug Stone, Johnny Rodriguez and opened shows for the likes of Mickey Gilley, Merle Haggard and many others. He's performed on dozens of TV shows, played numerous live radio shows, and enjoyed a 5-year contract with Johnny Carson Productions to support entertainers in their stable. In addition, there was a time when he made weekly trips to Nashville to work with songwriters to help develop and interpret their music for their respective record labels.
But his real calling came as a member of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. On a 21-day unit lockdown, he began to make music with guys in his barracks. Soon after, they were performing 4-6 nights a week. Upon his honorable discharge, Doug went to work with the Armed Forces Professional Entertainment Office and began to tour bases all over the world in support of the Department of Defense (DOD). At last count, Doug had performed at 80% of military bases, for hundreds of thousands of active military personnel, in 32 countries.
A fun, easygoing guy, he adds a lot to The Phun Pharm Band.
Inquiries: 706-833-4702
www.facebook.com/PhunPharmBand/
