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Tommy VanAtta:  Keyboard, Harmonica, Percussion and Lead Vocals.



Tommy is truly one of the most dynamic entertainers on today's music scene.  Along with his unique vocal style,
Tommy's high energy and stage presence is the focal point of the Chessmen Show. His performance in the
tribute to Elvis and James Brown is one of the many highlights of the show. He has performed with such artists
as Brenda Lee, The Platters, and Percy Sledge. Tommy, the only founding member of the Chessmen,
owns and operates Chessmen Entertainment, a production and merchandise company.

 Jerry Garrett:  Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals.



Born in Tyler Texas, Jerry moved to Nashville after the late Jim Reeves was discovered in Kilgore Texas.  
His father, the late Bobby Garrett, who is a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame 
and Nashville Musician's Hall of Fame, played steel guitar in Jim Reeves’ band.  
Jerry has shared the stage with Bob Hope, Jerry Lee Lewis, Paul Overstreet, Fredda 
and Dolly Parton, Brenda Lee and Little Jimmy Dickens.  He played on Roy Young’s “Still Young" C D, 
produced by Dennis Morgan and shared lead guitar tracks on "Last Call for Rock n Roll" with Billy Burnett, 
and Jim Horn on Sax, written by Roy Orbison, Steve Cropper, and Dennis Morgan.  
Jerry studied classical guitar at Blair School of Music.

Ken Sanders:  Drums, Lead Vocals.



Ken Sanders began performing at age six, when he began singing on the 
WSM radio show “The Opry Spotlight”.  He has since performed on shows with 
Eddie Rabbitt; Charlie McCoy, Tony Joe White, Joe South, Bruce Channel, Art Garfunkle, 
Dobie Gray, Mark Denning, Ronnie McDowell, the Casinos, Clifford Currey, Robert Knight, 
Jerry Lee Lewis, the Platters, the Drifters, and Brenda Lee.  Ken was selected as 
house drummer for the very first Mid-South Pop Festival and is a featured artist of the 
Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society.  He is honored to be on the international list of top 
drummers compiled by Drum Solo Artist.Com, and is also the author of numerous 
articles published on the internet regarding drum related topics

Dave Copeland:  Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals.



After starting his career in music at the age of 13, Dave went on to own 
a club called The Showboat in Nashville. He performed with the General Assembly and 
The Gators for several years across the Southeast, including New Orleans.  
He also toured across the United States and performed for several years in Las Vegas 
with The Harry James Orchestra, Phil Harris and Frank Sinatra, Jr.  
He also played with the Allman Brothers.