A new and rising powerhouse of performers describes Anson (Anson Service) and The Band (Blaine Snider, Timothy Root, Mike Turley, and Bronson Utter). Taking real life situations, experiences and feelings, and translating them into emotion packed music is what Anson and The Band loves to write record and perform. This 5+ piece band combines a wide range of musical styles and influences ranging from Santana to Queen to Matchbox 20, and Harry Connick Jr., but commands a style all their own. ANSON SERVICE (Lead Vocals, Piano): Since the age of three, Anson loved to perform, starting as a tap dancer and singing solos through his younger years, with the local performance group. Anson, being the youngest of nine children, as you may expect, experienced life in a busy family, heavily integrated into music of all styles, and was on a very tight budget. In the evenings, his father taught piano lessons for extra money. At that time, Anson was able to have piano lessons for a few years, and at the age of five, Anson wrote his first song on the family piano while his father put the melody to music. Since then, Anson has expressed his passions and feelings through his music. As a native of Portland Oregon, Anson played and sang his own original pieces, and other popular songs before tens of thousands of people at events such as The Portland Rose Festival, many school plays, various fairs, talent shows, firesides, and local community performances just to name a few. He won many awards, and although he was a teenager at the time, he was small and looked eight years old, compared to other teens his age, making him known in the community he lived, as the little kid with the big voice. He was also able to perform at EFY at BYU twice. He now resides in Vancouver Washington, with his beautiful wife Angela and three children, who have been the inspiration for many of his songs. He is currently a Psychology major and will receive his Doctorate of Psychology in the year 2089 (OK, not really, but it will be a while). He learned valuable lessons as a seminary teacher before going back to college, and has been a Sunday school teacher for the youth since his mission. He has traveled to many Stakes and states doing firesides and youth conferences as a sought after youth speaker and performer. BLAINE SNIDER (Backing Vocals, Guitar): At the age of four, Blaine received a guitar from his grandpa, but it sat in the corner and wasn't used except to hold a few toys that wouldn't come out of the sound hole. Blaine finally had his Grandpa teach him how to play when he was 15, on that same guitar. Blaine's grandfather died shortly after and Blaine inherited his electric guitar. Blaine continued to learn to play the guitar by listening to Beatles songs and playing along, eventually recording several of their songs with his cousin Tim Root, who was also a budding guitarist and influenced by The Beatles. In high school Blaine formed a rock band with his friends and they called themselves Iron Horse. A few of the members moved away and they disbanded. Blaine and Tim got back together and began recording an album of original songs called 'Sundays Off' (since Blaine had only Sundays off from work, that seemed to be the only available time to record). They had plans for a follow-up album, but it never came together. Thirteen years passed, during which Blaine moved to the Portland area to attend college, a move that would prove to be fortunate. Having a natural talent for audio and video production, Blaine sold one of his electric guitars to buy some recording equipment and began to design his studio. Tim moved to the Portland area a few years prior to Blaine's arrival and the thought of creating music together again fueled their desire to start recording tracks for a new album. Blaine finished building his recording studio and he and Tim prepared to record tracks for their second album. But the second album would have to wait. Blaine met Anson, who had been writing original songs for years. Anson played several of the songs for Blaine, and it was clear that the first project to be produced by Blaine's new recording studio would be Anson's songs. Blaine was excited about recording these songs and about the opportunity to play guitar on these songs. Blaine's influences are: The Beatles, The Police, Yes (the years with Trevor Rabin), Pink Floyd, Crowded House, and Billy Joel. TIM ROOT (Backing Vocals, Guitar): Tim started in music very young, before it was cool to be an Elvis impersonator he was doing it at the age of seven. He has all but given that up to play guitar (except at an occasional karaoke party he belts out the king's tunes). Tim recorded songs with Blaine while they were in high school, singing Beatles tunes in the front room and performing at family gatherings. however they changed the keys of some songs because they couldn't play a B7. After high school he and Blaine recorded an album of original tunes as the Nowhere Men. There are still a few copies floating around the northwest. Tim attended college at The University of Portland playing standup bass with the wind ensemble. Eventually he got married and started a family. Tim's guitar sat in the corner of his room for a while until Blaine called him up excited about Anson who he was recording at his studio, and asked him to help him with some guitar work on some tracks. Tim got a hold of a demo and came up with some parts for the songs. Tim has a great ear for rhythm guitar and now knows all of the chords even a B7! MIKE TURLEY (Backing Vocals, Bass): Mike holds a Bachelor of Music from Brigham Young University and a Master of Music from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He has been playing Jazz, Orchestral, as well as a variety of dance music professionally since 1984. Hands down he is the best looking member of the band. We are very fortunate to have his talent as well as the class that he adds to our group. His bass glues the drums to the rest of the music pulling it all together. BRONSON UTTER (Percussion) REVIEWS: ONE LISTEN AND YOU'RE HOOKED!, October 23, 2003 Reviewer: Sharon R. from Yakima, WA United States An amazing compilation of original songs and scores. Some will touch your heart, all will stay with you. What a great cd to listen to over and over again. I had the good fortune of seeing Anson and the Band in concert. They are even more amazing in action. Great performance, great songs, great band! Who are these guys? Great sound, Great message, October 22, 2003 Reviewer: Karen M. from Yakima, WA United States Wow! Is what I say about this band. They have a fantastic appeal to young and old. Just when you think you have picked your favorite song, along comes another favorite. The music is not only upbeat and catchy, but the lyrics are so moving and powerful. Some of the songs were absolutely beautiful and some were so haunting. I can't wait to hear from these guys again. Keep it coming. We'll be waiting.