* Bios *
Lightnin Bottle Band

Blues based Jam Funk
Reggae Rock!
Here's a little bit about each of us.... We hope you will still respect us in the
morning!


Bill Hamm- Drums/ Percussion-

Bill first studied drums under Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Alvin
Stoller and others (the record player was up on a table).  
Later on he did some high school plays ("Fiddler On The Roof" brings
instant nausea to him every time). Bill started playing out with Subject To
Change, Dreamsicle Willie, and then The Hamburger Pimps (great names
all).   
Besides drumming for Lightnin Bottle, Bill also sits in with JOIA world
percussion ensemble, and he plays congas and bongos for Los Latinos
Romanticos, a Latin folk music group (Even though he is neither Latin nor
romantic).


Jim Hieger- Guitar/ Vocals-

Jim was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. and began playing guitar at the
age of 10 or 11. (He forgets due to the frequent beer “races” – Check out
"Roadhouse Blues" at a live show.) He began taking guitar lessons during
elementary school and continued to play throughout high school and
college. In 2002, Jim met up with local guitar legend Scott Rockwood and
again began lessons which expanded his musical horizons. Due to the
musical influence of Shawn Hartung, he also began playing the banjo that
his parents bought him for his 21st birthday (hoping it would curtail his
drinking habits.) Over the past few years, Jim could be seen sitting in with
the St. Louis band Madahoochi, on both guitar and banjo. Currently, he is
influenced by Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring along with a variety of
jazz, blues, and jam band musicians. He also wishes he could sing like
Bobby McFerrin.


Keith Herring- Guitar (and nothing else.... well, he does get to sing Boom-
Boom)-

Keith is a self proclaimed "feel player." (enter obvious "you'll go blind"
comment here). He has been heavily influenced by acts such as Jimi
Hendrix, The Allman Bros, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top (Billy Gibbons to
be exact), Marshall Tucker,  and several others. He is also a "gear junkie"
(while not QUITE as expensive as Cocaine, and probably not nearly as
dangerous, guitar gear is very addictive and quite expensive as well).
Before Lightnin Bottle, Keith played in the east side Country/ Southern
Rock outfit Loose Change. He was also part of Rivers Edge and some
nameless, faceless, 80s pop band .....a chapter of his life he'd rather
forget. (but the rest of us will pay good $ for pics of Keith wearing
parachute pants and a mullett)


Donnie Inman- Bass/ Vocals-

Donnie began playing music as a young man on the family piano.  This led
to his joining the middle and high school bands as a tuba player, which
culminated in his being selected to the All-State band as a senior.  Donnie
then accepted a scholarship to Southwest Missouri State University.  Upon
entering college, Donnie began learning and playing the bass.  After 16
years, Inman has developed into one of the Midwest’s top bassists.  His
main influences on the bass include Jaco Pastorius, John Paul Jones,
Bootsy Collins, Rocco Prestia and other funk and jazz players.  Donnie’s
musical interests range from American rock like Led Zeppelin, Living
Colour and Tower of Power to as far as African artists like Youssou N’
Dour, Oliver Mtukudze and Fela Kuti.  Donnie currently resides in St. Louis
where he has developed a great reputation, which leads to him being a
first call for many gigs and recording sessions.  A firm background in funk,
rock, jazz and his easy-going personality makes him a crowd favorite.  His
resume includesStrange Bedfellows (metal/rock) 1990-1991, SMSU Jazz
band 1989-1990, Deep Inside (pop/rock) 1992-1993, Minds Eye
(acoustic/Midwest rock) 1994-1995, Run of the Mill Miracle Band (jam
band/original material) 1995-1997, 4th Way (jazz and improve funk with
DJ) 1997-1999, Clockwork (dance-funk) 1997-20004,  Jax (80’s-original)
1999-2005, Vargas Swing (original material) 2001-2004


Phil Wright- Vocals/ Harmonica/ Percussion-

A former member of the Scotland Yard funded "Blues Against The World",
Phil spent his days working on covert recon. missions and generally
protecting the world from evil. By night, he teamed up with other high
ranking British Intelligence Officials to play hypnotic music which would
transform weak minded informants into blathering tell-alls. Thanks to his
incredible track record and unmentionable accomplishments (particularly
his efforts against extra-terrestrials seeking to overtake the planet and
harvest us for alien baby food) Phil is actually one of the great hero's of
the world. OK.... so maybe not.  Phil is actually just a great, great fan of all
types of music  who grew up outside Memphis Tn., moved to St. Louis at
the age of 13, and later returned to his musical roots. A long time Dead
Head, Phil could often be found sitting in on percussion and some vocals
with local Dead cover bands like Jakes Leg, 7-10, The Schwag, and
others. A former member of Loose Change, Dylan Likes to Pee, Thunder
Mount, and Rykers Mailbox, Phil is excited to be a part of something that
allows him to return to his base. His major influences include the Allman
Brothers, Govt. Mule, The Grateful Dead, Marshall Tucker Band, Van
Morrison, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and countless traditional
blues artists. And yes.... there are pictures available of Phil in Parachute
Pants and wearing a mullett.

UPDATE- Phil finally decided to get a haircut. He still mourns the loss of
his tremendous skullett.


Vic Aguilar- Percussion

Victor has been playing on and off with LB for the last few years. He and
Phil were college roommates and have spent countless hours attending
concerts around the country together. His Latin (Cuban) roots are very
aparant in his playing as he adds poly-rythmic touches to songs
throughout the night. He is comfortable and adept at flowing in a reggae
pattern or a funky off beat percussive attack. His influences include Tito
Puente, Giovani Hidalgo, Santana, John Bonham, Domingo Ortiz, Mark
Quinones, and a host of others. His favorite groups include Led Zeppelin,
The Black Crowes, Rush, Santana, Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones, The
Allman Brothers, and Brittney Spears.   He has been drumming since the
age of   5. Victor has played with several bands throughout southern
Illinois and sat in with countless others. Despite the fact that Phil always
introduces him as "hailing from Havana Cuba, he's actually a native of
Salem, Il.