Pictures and Bios

Bios

Gary Griffeth – Bass, Guitar

Gary is the newest member of Phil ‘n’ The Blanks.  Gary brings many years of  experience as a drummer and a guitarist. He has played in many bands and is now honing his bass guitar skills in our group.  He works full time as Operations Manager for the Eccels Conference Center in Ogden, Utah. Gary is a great addition to the band.

Shawnee Hansen – Vocals

Shawnee is a 6th grade elementary school teacher who also minored in music in college. She is a very talented soprano, as you will be able to tell when she sings “I Will Survive”, “Better In Time”,  and “You Are The One That I Want”. She has sung locally with the singing group Aria 3 and has performed in several musical theater productions. These include the narrator in “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.   Shawnee sings both lead and backup vocals in the band.

Bryce Petersen – Sound Mixing

Bryce is Shawnee’s son and our soundman. Bryce is a Senior at Weber High School.  He is also a musician and has the very important job of running our sound mixer.  He does a great job in making us sound our best!

Brian Russell – Electric Guitar, String Bass

Brian is hard to miss standing at 6 foot 3 inches.  He is the Business Manager and cofounder of Phil ‘n’ The Blanks. Brian has played guitar and string bass for many years.  Prior to Phil ‘n’ The Blanks, he performed on the guitar in the musical theater production of “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, and on the string bass in”Forever Plaid”.  It was this collaboration with Tony and Phil, who also were part of the combo in “Forever Plaid”, that let to Phil ‘n’ The Blanks.   Brian  is a talented rythym and lead guitarist.

LeeAnn Russell – Vocals

LeeAnn is the wife of our guitarist, Brian. She has sung in local singing groups for many years, including the singing group Aria 3 and has performed in numerous theater musical  productions. A couple of her favorite parts are the narrator in “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and Golda in “Fiddler on the Roof”.  LeeAnn sings both lead and backup vocals and is the world’s greatest cowbell player!  More cowbell LeeAnn!  LeeAnn’s alto voice  is well suited for love songs such as “The Look of Love” and “I Only Have Eyes For You”.  If you loved the Karen Carpenter sound, you will love LeeAnn’s voice.

Angela Secrist – Vocals, Guitar, Drums

Angela is Phil and Cara’s daughter.  She is a Junior at Weber State University studying Heath Promotions.  Angela started singing when she was 3 and it was very apparent then that she had a beautiful voice.  She continued to develop her singing talent and brings a touch of youthful sparkle to the band. She is a very versitile singer with a wide vocal range. She sings lead and background vocals as well as plays the acoustic guitar and bongos on several songs.  She rocks on “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”.  Angela also loves musical theater and has played many roles including, most recentl,  “Peppermint Patty” in “Snoopy!”, The Musical.

Cara Linda Secrist – Vocals, Percussion

Cara is Phil’s wife and is the ultimate roadie!  In addition to singing she plays an assortment of percussion instruments including tamborine, maracas, and bongos. She is an expert at setting up the equipment and cleaning up the house after practices!  She is on the Board of Directors for Heritage Theatre and serves as a resident director. Cara loves directing musical theater.  Her most recent shows were “Little Women” and “Forever Plaid”.  Cara owns her own business making missionary a wall hanging called a “Mission Tracker”. Check out her website at www.ldsmissiontracker.com.

Phil Secrist – Drums, Guitar 

Phil (the Phil in Phil ‘n’ The Blanks) is the band leader and co-originator of the group along with Brian. Phil picked up his first pair of drum sticks at age 5 and the guitar at age 8 and has never put them down.  He played in several rock and jazz bands in Idaho Falls, Idaho in the 70s, has played in dozens of musical theater productions, taught drums and guitar, and still periodically performs at the Heritage Theatre in Perry, Utah where wife, Cara, is a member of the board of directors.  His inspiration on the drums came from listening to his favorite drummer Buddy Rich and artists including the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Grand Funk Railroad, Chicago, and Bachman Turner Overdrive.  Phil works for ATK as an engineering manager and builds custom handmade acoustic guitars on the side. Check out his website at www.secristguitars.com.

Doug Shepherd – Vocals

Doug works in physical therapy management.  He is a former member of the Brigham Young University Young Ambassadors. He not only sings lead and background vocals but he also performs on the guitar, drums, bongos, and trumpet.  Doug is the band’s “front man” and emcee.  He is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet!  His Steve Perry-like voice (the lead singer of Journey) brings a professionalism to the performances.  He can sing anything from “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees to “”Listen to the Music” by the Doobie Brothers.  Doug has also performed as “Joseph” in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, as “The Pirate King” in the “Pirates of Penzance”, and as “Sparky” in “Forever Plaid”.

Tony Spencer – Piano, Vocals

Tony is a computer and information systems specialist and works in SLC.  He is the cofounder of a number of computer related businesses.  Tony is our keyboard player extraordinare and singer!  But that is not all he does.  He doubles on the keyboard bass on many of the songs and sings vocals.  Tony is a musical product of the 80’s and 90’s.  He has performed in several musical theater production orchestras and combos as well as singing on stage.