Band Bios

Mike Bryant - Guitars, vocals

Mike is a native Virginian with a love for her mountain trails, winding rivers, and isolated beaches. He and his wife Theresa have pursued careers in Special Education and have raised their family in central Virginia. They have been involved for many years in the children’s’ ministries of their church where Mike leads Praise & Worship activities. Mike has always enjoyed music but became interested in the guitar as a teenager. He played mostly for and with friends at church youth functions and camps. As a busy young adult, he returned to the guitar when his schedule allowed. However, in the early nineties, he and some of his coworkers began playing together to entertain people with disabilities where they worked and Mike began to play more seriously. Today, Mike’s interest in his music is at its highest and he hopes to be playing and singing long into retirement.

Mark D. Bradley - Guitars, vocals, harmonica

Mark was completely mesmerized by Les Paul and Mary Ford’s performance at the Indiana State Fair on a visit to his grand parents at age 7. Started guitar lessons at age 8 while living at home with his parents in. When the Beatles were rising to popularity in the summer of 1963, Mark’s family was living outside of London. Mark was 14 when he became inspired by Beatle music, picked up his guitar again and began practicing and jamming with friends.

Mark continued to play guitar in several bands in high school and continued to be influenced by the Beatles and the British Invasion of the Kinks, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, Chad and Jeremy, and others.

In about 1992 Mark started playing music with Mike Bryant, Carolyn Bowling, Lafonda Gunter at CVTC. The group started playing for special events and occasions for the residents at the Training Center. The longer the group played together, the more different types of music they learned. Each member of Olde Stuff Band brought their favorite music.
Music is one of the three things Mark loves best. It may have taken a back seat through parts of his life, but will keep him growing, learning and fulfilled till he dies.

Carolyn Bowling - Vocals, rhythm, flute

“Music is a family thing” for me. Grandfather play banjo and Grandma played fiddle at our “home dances.” Both my parents played several instruments and taught my sisters and me three-part harmony. I took piano, fiddle and voice lessons throughout high school. I got into “Old Stuff Band” almost by accident when they asked me to join with them in a Christian songfest at work, and have sung with them ever since. My influences have come from Motown, as well as Joan Biaz, Mary Travers, Cher and Linda Ronstadt.”

Randy Jackson - Percussion

Most folks call Randy “Sticks!” Randy started playing drums at age nine when his older brother Jack asked him to accompany his guitar playing.

Randy says “I got into seriously playing again when my wife bought me a nice set of Slingerland drums in 1992. She encouraged me to work with various local groups, and I joined “Old Stuff Band” after my sister-in-law Diane hooked us up. She said I would be a good fit, and the band agreed after our first gig. We’ve been playing together for six months now, and we’re enjoying every minute! They are consummate musicians and wonderful people. I love the oldies and that’s what we do best. And by the way, at age 48 I’m the youngest member of the band!”

George Caylor - Bass

At age 61 George is the senior citizen of the band. Lead guitarist Mark Bradley remembers listening to George’s band’s records when Mark was still in junior high!

George says he got into stringed instruments because he had asthma as a youth, and didn’t have the breath to play a trumpet well. The asthma soon went away, but not his love for guitar and bass. After college he took off with rock bands touring and recording for the next six years. George retired from his career in 1972, but kept music as a hobby, playing guitars and bass at church, wedding receptions, and parties. When Mark Bradley told George that Olde Stuff Band needed a bass player, George jumped at the chance. He says it was an easy way to get back into music because he didn’t have to learn a lot of new songs. The Band was already performing his music!

Robert Larry Sturm, Keyboards and Vocals

Robert is the youngest "Olde Stuff" musician, only 33 years old! But Robert knows more about oldies than most 60 year-olds. He also knows how to play the latest country, rock and love ballads. If there is no song that matches what Robert wants to say, he writes a new song.

He says "My biggest influence in music has been the ongoing support from my family. Thanks to Mom and Dad, and thanks to my understanding wife and kids. The biggest things in my life are Family and music!

Lafonda Gunter - Vocals, Keyboard, Mandolin

“My Grandfather was a non-denominational Church of God preacher. Because of this, I was brought up on Spirit-filled sermons, beautiful music and chicken. One of my earliest memories is the Sunday morning harmony and upbeat gospel music that started around 11 a.m. and could last long into the afternoon when the Spirit was moving, as well as the revivals and camp meetings that were filled with all kinds of music (good and not so good). My Mother and her Sisters sang in trios that filled my heart with joy

On many occasions, the neighbors and other family members would join us after supper for just a good old time of foot-stomping, down-home music. We even had a record making machine. My dad’s family had a love for music that most people can’t even imagine. They were poor and it was one thing they could do that didn’t cost a lot. His brother and many of his nephews would play and sing anytime and anywhere and they still do.

Well, I began singing at a very young age in Junior Choir, then the Adult Choir and at about 19 years of age started singing alto in a duet with a family member. I began singing solos in other churches and for weddings or funerals. Around 1992, I sang at a Christmas program where I was working, and was asked to join a “Olde Stuff Band”.

I love all kinds of music – blue grass, rock and roll, disco, gospel, classical, and even a little hard rock, but I have to say that gospel music and the harmony and peace that comes by singing it, makes my life a better place.

© 2006 Olde Stuff Band - All Rights Reserved