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Sonny was born in the early 50’s in Paducah, Kentucky and moved to St. Louis. In the 5th grade Sonny began playing sax – and he still owns that Buescher Aristocrat Alto Saxophone that he started playing back in grade school! His first choice was to play the drums, however with direction from his father that the drums were “just too damn loud,” the saxophone became the instrument of choice which is much easier to carry and set up than an entire set of drums.
Sonny’s first big break came in seventh grade while a member of “The Chaparrals” (every band had a car name in those days) played for the junior high school wide assembly. Sonny sang the hot tune of the day “Time Won’t Let Me ´by the Outsiders. Two shows that day! Throughout Junior High and High School Sonny teamed up with long-time friend John Orlando and a group called the “The Deuces Wild” playing anything Weddings, Bar Mitzvah’s, and anything that would pay. Another millstone in Sonny’s career was beating rival band “The Shadows“ in a battle of the bands to win an appearance on “The Charlotte Peters Show” with Stan Kann.
The bands Chicago and Blood Sweat &Tears were a big influence on Sonny’s musical taste. In the 70’s and 80’s Sonny toured and recorded with “The Spirit of St. Louis” an 8-piece show group that performed in Las Vegas, Atlantic City along with cities like Joplin, MO, Rochester MN, and Rome GA (a suburb of Atlanta, yeah right. Never believe those agents). Upon returning to St. Louis from fifteen years in Minnesota where he did not pick up the horn, Sonny joined a local group called “Trilogy” then in 1997 Hooked up with “The King of Hearts Rock n Roll Show” before taking his place in the horn section (which has the most fun in the band) of Butch Wax and The Hollywoods.
Sonny has been blessed over the years to share the stage with performers like Dr. John, Rick Nelson, Albert King, Michael McDonald, Billy Peek and local St. Louis icon Lunch Meat Man! But the thrill of Sonny’s musical career is meeting and performing with Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer Johnnie Johnson…. He is the reason we all play!! Whether at the Sheldon Concert Hall or St. Louis Cardinal home opener, St. Louis Rams rallies or playing at Johnnie’s wake alongside Bob Weir, The Kentucky Headhunters, and Peanuts Whaylam - it was a true honor to be associated with one of the founding fathers of Rock ‘n Roll.
Sonny’s gear used for Butch Wax and the Hollywoods:
1962 Selmer Tenor Sax Paris Model with a modified Bobby Dukoff #8 Metal Mouthpiece
1961 Selmer Alto Sax Paris Model with low A key Bobby Dukoff #8 Metal Mouthpiece.
Both supported by the Boots Randolph signature sax strap.
"September" - Earth Wind and Fire
"My Old School" - Steely Dan
"My Three Sons" - Fred Mac Murray
"You're Still a Young Man" - Tower of Power
"Sittin' in a World of Snow" - Wayne Cochran
"Smoke from a Distant Fire" - Sandford Townsend Band
"So Very Hard To Go" - Tower of Power
"Ain't Gonna Bump No Mo with No Big Fat Woman" - Joe Tex
"Try a Little Tenderness" – Otis Redding
"I Wish it would Rain" – Temptations
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