Tico Manley
Lead Guitarist/Instructor
Within a span of less than 16 years, Tico has become a lead and rhythm guitarist in demand throughout the Upstate area and numerous parts of the South. At the age of 20, Tico began taking guitar lessons from the late Bernard Sherard. Being Bernard's protégé aided in molding Tico into a lead guitarist, rhythm player, and versatile musician, as well as helping develop an "ear" for music. The hard work, dedication, and love of music instilled by Mr. Sherard inspired Tico to continue studying and playing music. Along with his expertise, he is also a well-respected classroom and private guitar instructor. Tico started instructing at Mountain Music of Clemson, SC for over four years. Later, he began instructing at the Clemson Arts Center of Clemson, SC and has currently been instructing for more than five years. “This is such a great opportunity for young people to learn a skill.” -Tico Manley. His diversity of music styles include jazz, rock, blues, R&B, gospel, and more. He has had the privilage of playing with artists such as Still Cruizin, Bobby and The Aristocats , The Crystals, The Drifters, Archie Bell and the Drells, Mac Arnold and others. Although he plays, as well as instructs people of all ages, he is enthusiastic about passing his knowlege on to members of the younger generation. His long-lasting experience of playing and touring with numerous bands has created a bigger journey for him in the music entertainment industry today. "Guitar is my life! I am blessed that it has created an experience for me to travel to places I've never been, and and entertain people of all different backgrounds. When I'm on stage, I don't think about anything else; I just play and enjoy myself and that's all my mind is focused on." - Tico Manley
Lead Guitarist/Instructor
Within a span of less than 16 years, Tico has become a lead and rhythm guitarist in demand throughout the Upstate area and numerous parts of the South. At the age of 20, Tico began taking guitar lessons from the late Bernard Sherard. Being Bernard's protégé aided in molding Tico into a lead guitarist, rhythm player, and versatile musician, as well as helping develop an "ear" for music. The hard work, dedication, and love of music instilled by Mr. Sherard inspired Tico to continue studying and playing music. Along with his expertise, he is also a well-respected classroom and private guitar instructor. Tico started instructing at Mountain Music of Clemson, SC for over four years. Later, he began instructing at the Clemson Arts Center of Clemson, SC and has currently been instructing for more than five years. “This is such a great opportunity for young people to learn a skill.” -Tico Manley. His diversity of music styles include jazz, rock, blues, R&B, gospel, and more. He has had the privilage of playing with artists such as Still Cruizin, Bobby and The Aristocats , The Crystals, The Drifters, Archie Bell and the Drells, Mac Arnold and others. Although he plays, as well as instructs people of all ages, he is enthusiastic about passing his knowlege on to members of the younger generation. His long-lasting experience of playing and touring with numerous bands has created a bigger journey for him in the music entertainment industry today. "Guitar is my life! I am blessed that it has created an experience for me to travel to places I've never been, and and entertain people of all different backgrounds. When I'm on stage, I don't think about anything else; I just play and enjoy myself and that's all my mind is focused on." - Tico Manley
Mia Darj'de
Vocalist/Artist
Since childhood, Mia Darj'de has been destined to be a triple threat in the world of music. The Macon, Ga., native spent her childhood bouncing back and forth between singing, dancing and experimenting with the flute, trumpet, violin and piano. At present, Darj'de is concentrating on fronting her live backing band, the Funk Facotry, while prepping an album slated for release this year. Darj'de said that until she can perform her own music, she will gladly present the songs from the musical heroes who inspired her. She takes vocal cues from Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan but is not afraid to tackle male leads during covers of Journey, Bon Jovi and Earth, Wind and Fire tunes. As for stage presence, Darj'de immediately points to Tina Turner as an inspiration, and she said it is evident in the constant requests she gets. Because of all-around performers like Tina Turner, Darj'de realizes that vocal ability alone will not keep a crowd's attention. Because of her background in dance, Darj'de always finds time during the show to move on stage. She had the crowd and her own guitarist dancing along with her during many performances. "Dancing is so second nature to me that I don't even realize I'm doing it most of the time," Darj'de said. "I've just got to do it; but when people see me having fun like that it really engages them." - Mia Darj'de
Vocalist/Artist
Since childhood, Mia Darj'de has been destined to be a triple threat in the world of music. The Macon, Ga., native spent her childhood bouncing back and forth between singing, dancing and experimenting with the flute, trumpet, violin and piano. At present, Darj'de is concentrating on fronting her live backing band, the Funk Facotry, while prepping an album slated for release this year. Darj'de said that until she can perform her own music, she will gladly present the songs from the musical heroes who inspired her. She takes vocal cues from Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan but is not afraid to tackle male leads during covers of Journey, Bon Jovi and Earth, Wind and Fire tunes. As for stage presence, Darj'de immediately points to Tina Turner as an inspiration, and she said it is evident in the constant requests she gets. Because of all-around performers like Tina Turner, Darj'de realizes that vocal ability alone will not keep a crowd's attention. Because of her background in dance, Darj'de always finds time during the show to move on stage. She had the crowd and her own guitarist dancing along with her during many performances. "Dancing is so second nature to me that I don't even realize I'm doing it most of the time," Darj'de said. "I've just got to do it; but when people see me having fun like that it really engages them." - Mia Darj'de
Roscoe Peake
Bass
Roscoe's passion for playing bass started at a younger age, leading to his expertise of a professional bass player today. His knowledge for music developed into a well contructed art and talent on the bass guitar. Touring with many bands in the past on and off the road, Roscoe gained experience of incorporating different music genres to oblige fans' requests. During his years of playing, he had the privilage of playing with many famous performing artists including Al Green, Ohio Players, James Brown, Temptations, and Carlos Santana. Along with his diveristy of music styles, including jazz, rock, gospel, blues, funk, and much more, he constitutes his playing to the best of his ability to accommodate any style of music. "First of all, I love God and love music. I have been playing music for a very long time, and have been blessed to travel at such a young age. It has truly been a blessing". - Roscoe Peake
Bass
Roscoe's passion for playing bass started at a younger age, leading to his expertise of a professional bass player today. His knowledge for music developed into a well contructed art and talent on the bass guitar. Touring with many bands in the past on and off the road, Roscoe gained experience of incorporating different music genres to oblige fans' requests. During his years of playing, he had the privilage of playing with many famous performing artists including Al Green, Ohio Players, James Brown, Temptations, and Carlos Santana. Along with his diveristy of music styles, including jazz, rock, gospel, blues, funk, and much more, he constitutes his playing to the best of his ability to accommodate any style of music. "First of all, I love God and love music. I have been playing music for a very long time, and have been blessed to travel at such a young age. It has truly been a blessing". - Roscoe Peake
Allan "Grip" Smith
Keyboardist
For over twenty years, Allan "Grip" Smith has been playing keyboard, professionally, for numerous bands throughout his music career. Since traveling at a young age, Grip has had the privilage of playing with performing artists including T.L.C., Sleepy Brown, Tony Rich Project, EnVogue, S.W.V., and many others. Along with his experience, his unique style has lead him to render music, along with other musicians, performing at the Presidential Inauguration Ball of 2009. Grip's knowledge for music has also landed many credits as a musical director for artists including Jagged Edge, Keith Sweat, Silk, Xscape, Sera, and others. His album producer credits also include Dru Hill, Immature, Ole School, L.S.G. and a few other performing artists. His talent and knowledge on the keyboard and in the music industry created his well-developed styles of playing, ranging anywhere from pop, r&b, soul, jazz, and much more. "I enjoy what I do. I put my mind to it years ago and I did it; and still doing it today!" - Grip
Keyboardist
For over twenty years, Allan "Grip" Smith has been playing keyboard, professionally, for numerous bands throughout his music career. Since traveling at a young age, Grip has had the privilage of playing with performing artists including T.L.C., Sleepy Brown, Tony Rich Project, EnVogue, S.W.V., and many others. Along with his experience, his unique style has lead him to render music, along with other musicians, performing at the Presidential Inauguration Ball of 2009. Grip's knowledge for music has also landed many credits as a musical director for artists including Jagged Edge, Keith Sweat, Silk, Xscape, Sera, and others. His album producer credits also include Dru Hill, Immature, Ole School, L.S.G. and a few other performing artists. His talent and knowledge on the keyboard and in the music industry created his well-developed styles of playing, ranging anywhere from pop, r&b, soul, jazz, and much more. "I enjoy what I do. I put my mind to it years ago and I did it; and still doing it today!" - Grip
Neal "Lockdown" Goodine
Drummer
Neal Goodine started out as a drummer during his early teen years. His lasting experience has created a passion as a drummer/ percussionist. His musical roots include gospel, R&B, jazz, neo soul and a list of other genres. In some of his earlier accomplishments, he played in the Seneca High Jazz Ensemble and a couple of years later, attended the University of Southern Wesleyan. While attending, he joined the SWU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble (2000-2004). He has worked with many touring bands and recording artist J Henry and Sheryl Boyd, and others. Now residing in Atlanta GA, Neal continues to bring the funk with a creative and unique blend of musical talent. "They call me Lockdown; the man that locks it down". - Neal
Drummer
Neal Goodine started out as a drummer during his early teen years. His lasting experience has created a passion as a drummer/ percussionist. His musical roots include gospel, R&B, jazz, neo soul and a list of other genres. In some of his earlier accomplishments, he played in the Seneca High Jazz Ensemble and a couple of years later, attended the University of Southern Wesleyan. While attending, he joined the SWU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble (2000-2004). He has worked with many touring bands and recording artist J Henry and Sheryl Boyd, and others. Now residing in Atlanta GA, Neal continues to bring the funk with a creative and unique blend of musical talent. "They call me Lockdown; the man that locks it down". - Neal
