About Spectrum
GARY SHAVER ("Blade" - Band Leader, Alto Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Vocals, Keyboard) Gary has been leading bands for more than 40 years, including the 17th Street Band, Razor's Edge, and SPECTRUM. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
MARILYN BROWN (Vocals) - Her performing experience includes many years as a singer and dancer in a multitude of shows at Kings Dominion, plus a stint as lead vocalist with the RVA band MIRAGE. Marilyn has been with Spectrum since 1999, a 16-year stint that far exceeds any other vocalist in the band’s history ! Following graduation from Mary Washington College, she served as the Assistant Director and Choreographer for the MWC Show Choir for ten years.
ALLEN COLE, JR (Tenor & Soprano saxes, Clarinet, Flute) - Allen attended VCU and is a founding member of Spectrum. He is a longtime private instructor and is on the teaching staff at several local music stores.
CLIFF BURNETT (Guitar) - Following a move to Richmond as a young musician, Cliff joined forces with vocalist Ben Greenbaum to form BABY HUEY & THE BABYSITTERS, a very popular and successful R&B band that got its start in 1980. Cliff enjoys blending his rock AND soul talents with the band!
LOUIS MILLHOUSE (Trumpet) - Louie majored in music education at VCU, during which time he played in several Richmond-area bands including PARADOX and UPTOWN.
DAN WHEELER (Bass) - Dan has been holding down the bottom end of Spectrum's sound since late 1999. He began his musical career at age 6, studying classical and pop piano for 9 years before he discovered the magic of the electric bass in mid-adolescence. His first love is classic and progressive rock, being heavily influenced by the top bands of the late 60's /early 70's, such as Grand Funk Railroad, Deep Purple, Cream, Jethro Tull, The Who, The Beatles, Yes, and all the great bass players that populated those bands.
TOM ANDERSON (Trombone) - Tom holds a music education degree from VCU. Now retired, he stays busy teaching brass lessons, performing, and composing original music, including writing special arrangements for Spectrum.
KEITH WILLINGHAM (Drums) – Keith has been playing with Spectrum for 7 years. He also plays some fine jazz trumpet. He attended Virginia Union and is a graduate of Drexel. Fun Fact(s) : Keith is a paralegal by day and Spectrum's ace "timekeeper" by night. One of Keith's favorite hobbies is caring for the exotic fish in his home aquarium !
GRAY McCALLEY (Sound) - Known to many in the metro area as the longtime stick-man for THE CONTINENTALS Big Band, Gray also knows his way around PA and sound equipment, having worked many years with Henrico County Schools in its Technology Division., and was a founding member of a very hip local band from the early 1970s known as SHORT CROSS.! G Mac also plays some mean harmonica!