Meet the House Band:
151 with Jacob Bryant & Nicole Davidson
Tim Hamilton has been the pedal steel player in the the house band at Cowboys for 11 years. But he has been a part Of the Georgia's music scene for nearly 20 years. Tim traveled the country playing southern gospel music, while he was still in high school. He also performed on several TV programs, radio shows, and on records with regional gospel bands. Then his love for country music won out in the early 90's when he started playing with different country bands that traveled all over the southeast. During this time he was also playing in several local studios. He took a house band gig on the south-side of Atlanta where he worked nearly 3 years.
Tim love's country music, in addition to playing pedal steel guitar, he also plays acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass, ans sings lead and harmony vocals. In 2007 Tim was honored to be named musician of the year by the Atlanta Society of Entertainers. Later that year the organization inducted him into the Atlanta country music hall of fame. He makes his home in the North Ga Mountains with his wife Becka and his daughter Peyton, who also shares Tim's love for music.
Alan J. Mabry was born in Albany, Georgia on April 6, 1982 . He began playing the piano at the age of eight. His early influences included Dr. John, Ray Charles, Chopin, and Scott Joplin.
During his senior year of high school, he began playing with a high school band at various events such as picnics, yearbook signings, bonfires, and pig runs. Alan began playing professionally at the age of twenty in Athens, Ga. Alan played with various country, rock, jazz, jam, and blues bands.
In 2004, he was signed on as the keyboardist and fiddler with Trotline, the popular college country band, for their national tour of college campuses. After playing with Trotline for three years, Alan was invited to become a member of the house band at Cowboys, a popular live music venue in Atlanta where he has been playing at Cowboys for three years. During his time at Cowboys, Alan has shared the stage with great musicians such as the Zac Brown Band, 38 Special, Travis Tritt, Chris Cagle, Marc Chesnutt, Craig Morgan, Billy Currington, and David Allan Coe. He counts big concert nights as some of his most memorable moments at Cowboys. Alan looks forward to many more memorable nights with his great friends and the wonderful musicians he works with at Cowboys
Meet the bass play and band leader of Cowboys 151 band… Jay Johnson. Coming from Vidor, Texas, the same area as folks like Tracy Byrd, Mark Chestnut and Clay Walker, Jay has spent most of his life playing music. Jay was found sleeping in his car, in the Cowboys parking lot so many times they finally decided they might as well put him to work. After several years of performing on the Cowboys stage, Jay took what would be a 2-year maternity leave. Returning to Cowboys, some 4 or so years ago, it seemed only natural that Jay should be the band leader (even though he argued that he didn’t want the position, literally nearly coming to blows with the owner). Jay brings a high-level of professionalism and just the right amount of fun to the stage each and every time he steps on it! Although Jay is the bass player at Cowboys, he plays several other instruments and also sings. Some of his favorite past times include spending time with his family, sleeping and talking on the phone.
Lance grew up in southern California (Santa Monica to be exact). He started playing music in church at a young age on a multitude of instruments (harmonica being the first). Lance began playing guitar at the age of 14. His first musical influences came from blues and soul artists such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Wonder.
In 2003 Lance graduated top of his class from "The Atlanta Institute of Music". Thereafter he began working as a freelance guitarists around the Atlanta area. Lance is a versatile musician who has worked in almost every genre such as Country/Rock/Hip-Hop/RnB/Jazz/Gospel/Blues/ and CCM He has worked in the studio/live with artists such as John Legend, Mac Powell, Hillsong, CeCe Winans, Israel Houghton & Newbreed, Darwin Hobbs, and Candi Station among many others. Lance also works often in the studio playing bass,mandolin, Banjo, and lapsteel.
Lance has been playing with 151 for the last 3 years taking some time off to play music with various artists and bands on the road. In his own words "I love all these guys. I have been honored to work weekly with some of the best musicians I have ever met."
Some of Lance's favorite moments at Cowboys have been on the clubs annual "Birthday Night". "It is always a blast to be on stage with so many of the former members of 151. It is always an amazing party!"
Lance is a vital member of "151" and a has a thriving career as a session and live musician in Atlanta and Nashville. He looks forward to many many more nights partying with "151" and the wonderful fans at Cowboys.
Upon receiving his first drum set at the age of three, Antwane spent countless hours practicing and perfecting his musical talent. By the time he was a teenager, Antwane was performing as both a singer and musician in his High School's Marching Band, Jazz and Pep Bands, Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Show Choir, and small vocal ensembles. In 1998, 1999, and 2000 he performed in the Disney Candlelight Choir and marched in the Disney Christmas Parade. His high school percussion ensemble was also featured at Bush Gardens.
In college, Antwane played the drums and ran sound for Campus Choir from 2001 through 2005, and performed on occasion with the Voices of Lee and The Evangelistic Singers. During his time with Campus Choir he performed several times on TBN and INSP. He was a member of the Lee university Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and Pep Band for one year, and spent three years with the Lee University Jazz Ensemble. He was featured in the 2005 Knoxville Winterfest house band, also played drums for the chapel band and in 2004 he joined the Conn Crew staff.
During his time with the Conn Crew Antwane received personal training from professional sound technician Luke Denton. Under his leadership, Antwane developed his natural gift and ability to understand the science of sound and within one year was running front of house console for Chapel, Concerts, and Special Events.
Throughout his musical career Antwane has played in 43 states and in England, Ireland, and Whales. He is honored to have performed with Artists such as Phil Driscol, Dolly Parton, Tony Williams (former Producer of Destiny's Child) Alvin Slaughter, “Disco Diva” Candi Staton, Vicky Yohe, David and Nicole Binion, Mary Alessi, Darwin Hobbs, and up-and-coming artists CJ Blount , Micah Dalton, Unhindered, and Act of Congress. He has also run sound for Phil Driscol, Kutless, Charlie Hall, and Barlow Girl.
Antwane not only has a passion for playing music, he is also a talented writer, programmer and producer as well. On a regular basis he creates impressive backing tracks, loops, demo's, and has produced music for several up-and-coming artists including CJ Blount, Chris Garmon, Ross Coppley, and Act of Congress to name a few.
Antwane's most recent accomplishments include recording with 3-time Grammy nominee Candi Staton on her latest Album, "I'll Sing My Praise". He also recorded percussion for Act of Congress on their Debut Album "Declaration", and on their soon to be released second project. And finally, he recorded with Hope and Life Music on their debut album, "I will Be The One". Performed Live at the “Wild Horse Saloon” on Broadway in Nashville, TN.
Antwane's knowledge and personality help him to be the great leader he is, and he enjoys working with bands and groups both large and small to create not only great music, but great work habits and appreciation for their gifts and talents.
Antwane currently lives in Atlanta with his wife and daughter and perform's weekly as a house musician for “Cowboy's Atlanta” in Kennesaw, Georgia on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Nights.
