THE BAND
A PASSION TO PLAY MUSIC...
...whenever and wherever they can is what drives Whiskey Pass.
From neighborhood bars to larger venues all over the country, the five talented musicians in the band have truly done it all.
That wealth of experience shows up in the band’s tight performances, strong, passionate lead vocals and pure, soaring four part harmonies. These folks just love to play and it shows!
Performing a wide variety of Country music, seasoned with some Classic Rock and originals from songwriters Christine VanHoy (Lead vocals) and Steven Gregory (Guitar), Whiskey Pass will have you on your feet and take you on an unforgettable musical journey.
Lead Vocals
Those lines on your face... Christine VanHoy calls them life experiences,
And that experience shows up in a voice that is strong, warm, and filled with emotion every time she sings. Her original songs are filled with real and genuine stories from life that people can relate to.
Christine is an award winning Independent recording artist.
In addition to several #1 songs on the New Music Weekly Chart, she has won Favorite New Country Artist, and Favorite Female Country artist.
Her songs have also been nominated (and have won) for Favorite Country Single on the Independent Music Network.
She also owns 8 consecutive wins for Favorite Female Country Artist.
Still on the musical life experience bucket list – “performing at The Ryman Auditorium, the “Mother Church.” And opening for someone at Shoreline would be fun too!”
STEVEN GREGORY
Guitar
A Bay Area native, Steven has been on stage most of his life. He hit the road as a working musician at the tender age of 17 and never looked back. Touring with various national acts he traveled the country playing bars, nightclubs and concert dates for nearly 30 years.
An experienced session guitarist and recording engineer, he has worked on both sides of the glass with many music business legends. He is also an accomplished songwriter with many of his own albums.
PATRICK O'KONSKI
Bass
Patrick is a music teacher based in the Palo Alto area. Educated at the Bob Cole Conservatory in Long Beach, CA, Patrick has been playing music for over 22 years and teaching for over 15 years. A multi-instrumentalist, Patrick plays bass guitar, drums, guitar, and piano and teaches them as well. In his free time, Patrick transcribes bass and guitar music, and is also a composer of original works. Patrick has written marches, tone poems, and chamber music. He is most proud of his tone poem Wyatt Earp, written for the famous lawman. Patrick loves playing bass in Whiskey Pass - it's a treat to play country with some of the best musicians in the area.
MATT GRETTER
Drums
PHIL BEARCE
Guitar - Mandolin - Harmonica
Matt picked up his first set of drum sticks at age 11.
Since then he has studied the instrument continually.
When he's not gigging or touring he studies with Nashville session drummer Rich Redmond.
Matt has toured and recorded with many Notable Bay Area bands including country artist Mike Hellman, Jim Shawndi, West Coast Turnaround and the rock band All Roads, but if you ask him he’ll tell you the highlight of his career was sitting in with country superstar Jason Aldean during a show at the Shoreline Amphitheater.
Matt operates an online recording studio turning out drum tracks for recording writers and producers.
Phil Bearce is a singer songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from the San Francisco Bay Area. In the genres of rock, blues, country and bluegrass, he plays electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, harmonica, and various other instruments. Phil has had his songs published and licenced for television, and
was once featured in an ad in Acoustic Guitar magazine. As technical director/Artist Wranger and sound engineer, he has worked with The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Craig Chaquico, Dan Hicks, Keb’Mo’, and Bonnie Raitt.