Jupiter Coyote

Hey folks, this is Matthew Mayes and for your reading pleasure I've decided to give you a little background on the band. I would have to guess that all the guys in the band probably started fooling around with music just as soon as we we're old enough to escape our mother's watchful eyes. I myself would sneak down to John Sterk's cabin and watch him jam on his Fender strat. I was four or five years old and my mom didn't like me hanging out with him for it was expected thaT he had a drug habit. Come to think of it, John probably didn't like me bothering him either. But, he had an electric guitar and there was nothing cooler than that to me. From there I moved on to banjo's and bluegrass music until I heard my first Skynyrd song in about fourth grade. Then it was back to guitar and hooked on playing for good.

I met Matt Trevitt at summer camp when we we're nine years old. Later when we were in college, Matt got a fool idea to start a rock band. Traveling around playing frat houses, drinking beer, and looking at pretty girls all night didn't sound like such a bad idea after contemplating a 9-5 job. Turned out that Trevitt's family had an old farm house just north of Macon, Ga. The family home was nice, but we got an option on what was actually a milk barn that had been converted into somewhat of an apartment for Trevitt's older brothers when they we're in college at Mercer years ago.

It was rough to say the least, but it was free and I had 3 cents in my checking account at the time. The living room had plenty of space for the band to practice and we certainly didn't have to worry about the neighbors complaining. Those were wild days. We were very young and dumb.

In the early years I really didn't think I would make my living being a musician; that just kind of evolved. Somewhere along the way we started writing and recording our own music and enough people got into it for us to continue forward. Jupiter Coyote was actually born in the summer of 1990. We had just about stopped playing cover songs and were ready to make a run at the "original" thing. It amazes me sometimes how quick ten years got behind me. The band grew well outside of the regional boundaries and the next thing we knew it was a coast to coast show. Let me tell you, traveling 300 days a year is not for everyone. Your personal life can really suffer.

In 1992, Matt Trevitt and Ned Grubb left the band to pursue other interests. I'm glad to inform you that both of them are happily married and doing well. Matt and wife Holly live in Macon and have two little boys. Ned and wife Kate live in Macon and also have a little boy.

I first met Sanders Brightwell in Athens, Ga. in the early 90's. He was attending the University of Georgia and playing bass in a funk/blues outfit called "Blue Groove". Sanders was the perfect person to step in after Ned. With fine bass skills and a nasty sharp tongue, backed by an impressive vocabulary, Sanders was well suited for a rough and tumble rock band and a shady music industry. Sanders is originally from Savannah, Ga and has been in Coyote for over 6 years. He has played on every CD from "Wade" on. He's 6'-5" and plays the biggest guitar; you can't miss him!

I believe it was 1993 when Gene Bass (drums) showed up at the practice shed with David Stevens, or as the world knows him, "The Great Rapa." After a long dose of corporate America as a structural engineer with Chevron, Rapa was interested in pursuing his musical side. So with no rehearsal, he grabbed his congas and hit the road with Coyote. Now Rapa has one of the most unusual senses of humor around. He was the master of getting the most mileage out of a practical joke. In 1997, Rapa decided to leave the group to spend more time with his son David who was living in Boulder, Co. I know that was a tough decision for him, but I think I can speak for every one in the band when I say, we applaud and support his decision. Shirking your responsibility as a father was not in his character. I will always respect him for that!

Also glad to inform you that Rapa and son David are living in Boulder, Co. and doing well. Rapa recently joined us on stage at Oscars Blues in Lyons, Co. for a jam. He still has the chops! Rapa played on "Wade," "Lucky Day," and "Ghost Dance." I heard that he is running for Mayor in Russell, Kansas.

Robert Soto was pretty much the hand-picked replacement for Rapa by Rapa and he played in the band for almost 2 years. Robert was just recently married and sorry to say is no longer with the group. He is living in Charleston, SC and doing well. We wish Robert and Nicki the best!

The latest addition to JC is Steve Trismen on fiddle. Man can this guy play! We stole him out of Boulder, CO on a Rocky Mountain tour and hold him hostage in Brevard these days. If you have not seen the band with the Tris, you need to check it out. He plays mandolin and sings as well; quite a talent. We look forward to getting his sound on our next CD.

This brings me to Gene H. Bass. I've known Gene for well over ten years. We actually met in Macon, Ga. in musical circles. Gene played drums in a band with our old bass player Ned Grubb and was drafted by Coyote on a fly-by-night mission to Boone, NC. We went to Bill Harden's rip-off music store in Macon and bought two congas; threw them in the back of my truck and headed to Boone. Not really sure how we got there or what Gene did, but he's been there ever since. He played congas for a while and when Trevitt decided to leave, Gene went back to his natural instrument, the trap-kit. He has played all the drums from "Wade" to "Dragons."

I'll say this for Gene; he's a tough bastard and has been one of my best friends for 11 years. He's my partner in business, music, fun, and crime. He'll have to whip me to ever get out of this band!

I probably should mention the quiet leader of the outfit; John Wayne Felty. He is "The Duke." It's true that I have known John since the first grade. He's been my best friend my whole life and not many people have a friend like that. We grew up like most kids, loving sports and music and some other things too. When we we're in high school all of us liked to hang out with John because he was the good-looking one out of us all; therefore all the ladies wanted to meet John. The rest of us just rode on his coattail!

I could go on all day about this guy, but let's just sum it up by saying he encompasses the big three: mind, body, and spirit. Studious, creative, and talented, he is one of the most genuine people you'll ever meet. We've known each other so long it's telepathic and we carry that into our music. As long as he plays, I play!

That's it in a nutshell folks. That is how JC got rolling as briefly as I could put it. Hopefully we will be able to hold this thing together for a long time. Keep spreading the word about JC and we'll still be playing when we are old and gray!