BADGE
About
Events
History of BADGE
1976-2020
BADGE BAND BIO In November, 1976, Ted Ray, Art Melvin, Craig Jordan, and Gary Epperson found themselves in a Top 40/ Dance Band in Fayetteville, NC. Unhappy with the repertoire as well as the pay, they played their last gig on New Year’s Eve and started BADGE 3 days later. The goal was to play FM Rock music suited to their talents and instrumentation. As with any endeavor involving several people, life gets in the way. In late 1977, Ted moved to Arizona, and Art went to Grad school. Gary and Craig continued on, adding Don Euler on guitar and Mike Stankwytch on bass. Mike’s best friend, Jimmy Atkins began showing up and playing along and was ultimately added as the 5th member. This was the lineup until June, 1981. The band morphed into a Southern Rock band during this period, playing Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Outlaws, and Marshall Tucker Band. They became a top tier band in North and South Carolina, as well as Southeastern Virginia and Maryland, filling venues wherever they performed. Trying to make the next step—getting a record deal—`the band went through several changes as, once again, life got in the way. Mike went home to work in the family business, taking Jimmy with him. After 2-3 players passed thru the group, the band finally settled on a lineup of Gary, Tommy Hartley and Richard Bell on guitars, with Bobby Doran on bass and Jim Hoyle on drums. With over half of the material original, this was the BADGE BAND for all of 1982 and part of 1983. While Jimmy Carter was President (he was a keeper, by the way), everything Southern was “in”. For about 5 years, being from the south was cool. About a year after he left office, the southern cool thing began to fade fast. The BADGE BAND was one of the casualties of the fade, playing a farewell weekend @ The ATTIC, in Greenville, NC in April, 1983. The band played its last gig on Memorial Day Weekend in Hampton Roads, VA. Fast-forward to December, 2018. Gary and Art had been rehearsing in a band with Dave Braswell, who had played with Gary for 12 years in Gavinhart, when Dave suddenly died in February of ’18. Gary, who had thought about asking Ted if he would be interested in playing again, finally made the call in December and was surprised by the response- not just yes, but HELL YES!.. Jimmy came on board and the original Gary and the Grown Men drummer, Chris Jepsen was asked to join and agreed. Chris was the first drummer Gary worked with post-BADGE and he also served a stint in Gavinhart.
Members
Gary Epperson
Jim Atkins
Guitars, Vocals
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Ted Ray
Soprano & Tenor Saxophones, Flute, Aerophone, Keys
TR (aka Ted Ray) has been playing sax and flute in bands since junior high school. Studied with Jerry Coker in college, performed in various rock, jazz, and soul bands, either with horn sections or as solo instrumentalist. Played with Gary US Bonds backup band during the 70's, including Don Kirshner's "Rock & Roll Review" television show at Capital Center, DC, and backup for many "Rock & Roll Revival" groups and shows, including Madison Square Garden in 1975. Groups he performed with included “The Argonauts” (1966), “The Strange Haze” (1967), “The Ambassadors” (1969), “The Sound System” (1970), “The Expressions” (1971), “Autumn” (1972), “The Interludes” (1975), Gary US Bonds (1977), “Studio” (1990), as well as others he can’t seem to remember . TR also did many, many studio sessions at Daxwood Productions (Daxwood.com) over the years, and he set up & managed around 100 MP3.com websites for artists during the 1990’s. TR’s solo project, “Supercollider,” is available at http://TR.tedray.com
Art Melvin
Bass Guitar, Vocals
Art Melvin is a North Carolina native and founding member and original bassist of the Badge Band in 1976. He has performed with numerous bands over the years playing various genres, including rock, country, bluegrass, southern gospel and top 40. His experience lays down a solid foundation for the rhythm section of the band.
Chris Jepsen
Drums/Percussion/Vocals
