Bryan Stout (Lead Vocals)

Bryan had actually been singing his entire life, however, nobody of any significance ever really cared, or even knew. Then in 1997 he was called upon to record some songs of a songwriter friend in Nashville for demos. Bryan was given a copy of the recordings that soon fell into the hands of a Dallas independent record label which resulted in a recording contract. Later that year Coming Home To You, a country/pop CD, was recorded. The label went out of business shortly thereafter and Bryan’s brief music career ended…until 10 years later, when in late 2007 he teamed up with two other guys and a laptop to form a small band. That band is now Colt and the Old 45s, for whom Bryan is co-founder and lead vocalist. His five octaves range offers extensive vocal versatility and has resulted in him being tagged as a "freak of nature" by his vocal coach.

 

John Paul (Rhythm Guitar)

John played guitar in the 1960’s while in school in Amarillo, Texas and played all the big hits of that era. His inspiration to play guitar came during his high school years by way of two local Amarillo legends - Jimmy Gilmer and J.D. Souther. In fact, he learned to play from one of J.D. Souther’s fellow band members at the time, Charlie Bates.  After finishing school John’s life went in a completely different direction and his guitar was put on the shelf, becoming all but forgotten. After a long 38-year hiatus, John picked up his guitar again in order to form a small band with two other guys and a laptop computer. Although it had been what seemed like an eternity since he played, and in essence it had been, John was amazed at how quickly his skills returned. That little band of three guys and a laptop has grown into Colt and the Old 45s, for whom John is co-founder and rhythm guitar player.

 

Hose (Lead Guitar)

Hose started playing guitar at 14 years of age and was taught privately over a 15 year period by various jazz instructors in Oklahoma, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Hose also has 2 years of instruction in music arrangement and composition from the Berklee School of Music. He was the house guitar player at Oscar Ross Junior College during his late teen years and has been playing the guitar for 40 plus years, 15 of which have been professionally. Hose continues to enjoy playing Jazz and will sit in with various Jazz ensembles, from big band to sextets, and also enjoys solo performances as well. Hose teamed up with Bryan Stout and John Paul to form the beginnings of what is now Colt and the Old 45s, for whom he is a co-founder and lead guitar player.

Byron Yancey (Bass Guitar)

Byron spent 4 years touring Europe, Scandinavia, the Balkans and North Africa with the U.S. Air Force band Based at Ramstein Airbase, Germany from 1977 through 1980. While in the service, Byron’s colleagues, several of whom were graduates of Berklee College of Music in Boston and Julliard School of Music in New York, mentored him at a level of proficiency equal to those fine music schools. Since then, Byron’s versatility in various musical genres has provided opportunities for him to appear on stage with such varied acts as The Drifters, Black Oak Arkansas, and Diamond Rio and his talents on bass guitar are second to none. Byron plays bass guitar for Colt and the Old 45s.

 

Bill Halbrook (Drums) 

Bill took up drums at an early age while growing up in the Mississippi Delta, playing in garage bands and continuing through college where he earned his Masters Degree in music. He is a performer and composer/arranger whose talents are still called upon to site read concerts on both drum set and timpani. His professional career has spanned some thirty years consisting of extensive studio work as well as widespread touring, including three tours in Europe. Bill has performed with Herb Ellis, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and the De Castro Sisters to name just a few. He still enjoys playing jazz and big band style music. Bill joined Colt and the Old 45s, for whom he plays drums, in January 2010.

 

Billy Hoover (Keyboard)

Billy began playing guitar at the age of 9 while living in Jacksonville, AR.  At the age of 18 he was involved in a car accident rendering his left arm useless and in a cast. Unable to play guitar, Billy began playing around on a piano with only his right hand and realized this was the instrument he really wanted to play. Consequently, he learned as much as he could about the instrument and studied music theory as well. Billy has played in numerous bands, has recorded with several artists and has traveled extensively during his lengthy music career. He has written music for television shows airing on The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The History Channel and others. Billy joined Colt and the Old 45s in June of 2010.

 

Pamela McDaniel (Vocals)

Pamela has been involved in musical Theater and community productions for more than 35 years. Beginning in her teens, and carrying through her college years, Pamela received extensive training in piano and vocals. She sang professionally both as a solo artist and with a number of bands throughout the 1970’s. Marriage and raising a family changed Pamela’s musical path. However, maintaining her love and passion for music, Pamela has been very active over the years in her church, where she provides her musical talents and experience by organizing and directing their musical events. Pamela, the little lady with the big voice, and the only female in this ten-member band, joined Colt and the Old 45s in 2008 and remains an audience favorite.

 

David Laubach (Trumpet)

David enjoyed a very noteworthy career in music. He has a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Henderson State University in Arkansas and is retired from The United States Air Force Academy Band where he had the honor of playing for four U.S. Presidents. David has performed as a sideman for such stars as Carole Lawrence, Frank Gorshin, Red Buttons, Nipsey Russell and Steve Lippia. He has been a freelance trumpet player in Colorado and Arkansas for many years and has performed with numerous ensembles and orchestras throughout his career. David is currently an Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at his alma mater Henderson State University and joined Colt and the Old 45s in 2009 as their lead trumpet player.

 

Mike Bryant (Trombone)

Mike studied music at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR and Delta State University in Cleveland, MS.  Subsequently he continued his music studies at The University of Arkansas At Monticello where he received his BME. In addition to teaching trombone privately, Mike continues to hone his phenomenal skills by studying with Dr. Sim Flora. He has enjoyed years of playing trombone for various music genres with a number of groups ranging from quintets to symphony orchestras to rock and roll bands. Mike joined Colt and the Old 45s in 2009 and is their lead trombone player. His solos in such songs as Mustang Sally and Beginnings wow the crowd every time.

 

Earl Hesse (Saxophone)

From his early years of playing on Beale Street to present, Earl is one of the most respected musicians in the country. His achievements are numerous and his improvisational skills and talent are unmatched. Earl’s career spans decades and includes performances with such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Lou Rawls, Brenda Lee, B.J. Thomas and Harry Connack, Jr. just to name a few. He holds both a Bachelor and Masters Degree from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas and a Doctorate of Art from the University of Mississippi. Earl also became a Professor of Music in 1970 and taught at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR until he retired in 1997. During that time he directed Henderson’s prize-winning Collegiate Jazz Band for 15 years. Earl joined Colt and the Old 45s in 2010 and is their lead saxophone player.