Jim
Bartlett ~ Bass
Al Braun ~ Bass
Gordy Deems ~
Dale Dunsmoor ~ Drums
Sheldon Miller ~ Drums,
Vocals, Song Writer
Steve
Samsel ~ Guitar, Vocals
William "Smitty" Smith ~
Mike
Stirn ~ Guitar, Vocals
Tony Winslow ~ Drums
Chuck
Burbank ~ Audio Technician
Tom Hall ~ Sound Engineer
Don
Tunnel ~ Manager
In
Memory of
Tony Winslow
William ”Smitty” Smith,
Sheldon Miller, Michael Stirn
KRACKER - Rock 'n' roll Warriors Perhaps it was in the Summer or maybe in the Fall of 1977 that the narcotic scourge of disco reached an ignominious apex from whence began its inevitable decline. Surely, in the city of Spokane, Washington, this would hold true. For out of that place and time emerged KRACKER: an excitement generating rock 'n' roll turbo producing a power sufficient to crush that snakes head of pre-recorded disco mania: that beguiling serpent who subdued Spokane's nightclub scene like a false idol mesmerizes a heathen.
Refusing to lay their rock 'n' roll souls beneath that golden calf, KRACKER was, in the beginning, branded as outcasts. Marginalized under disco's cheap and easy fame, the group was relegated to performing within the confines of seedy dives, small-town gigs, frat houses and the like. But these engagements were not done in vain. For it was in these obscure places of low estate that KRACKER, those puritans of rock, honed their craft. And indeed they honed it well. For, in time, the establishments wherein they plied their musical wares could no longer contain the growing numbers of pilgrims escaping disco's mundane message. And the fans came in droves seeking baptism under the thundering rock 'n' roll fury that was KRACKER.
And the group gained in stature, reputation and fame; distinguishing themselves within a broad pantheon of booking agents, record executives, producers, disc jockeys, trade magazines and promoters. As KRACKER albums began selling in their thousands, and as KRACKER music filled the airwaves of the Inland Northwest, so the venue in which they performed did change. Thus it happened that the group moved from the nightclub stage onto the concert stage; and from there into the halls of glory.
So who were these valiant rock warriors who led the vanguard against disco's infamous name?........
They were MIKE STIRN: the founder of KRACKER: the song-writing lead guitarist who skillfully wielded his ax like a phalanx to penetrate the hearts of swooning young female admirers.
And there was STEVE SAMSEL; the lead singing composer whose song writing abilities and well seasoned voice gave KRACKER the clean, original and expressive sound that put heart behind their thunder.
And there was AL BRAUN; the bearded bassist who presented himself on stage as a foot stomping viking in drag whose throbbing bottom notes formed the solid foundation upon which KRACKER built their sound.
And there was DALE DUNSMOOR; the soft spoken but hard hitting drummer whose simple, steady rhythm pulled the group through each song like a powerful locomotive.
And there was CHUCK BURBANK; the irrepressible, uncompromising producer/audio tech who pushed the P A system to the limit of its capacity and beyond; ensuring that the decibel level remain sufficiently high to cause death among small animals.
And there was TOM HALL; the brilliant young recording technician who, after engineering The KRACKER Album, went on to great success with other recording groups of renown.
Then there was Sheldon Miller the song writing, showman, singing drummer who played funky powerful beats, and really had the ability to get the audience involved in the show.
So hail to you, KRACKER; you rock 'n' roll warriors of the night who bore the torch and fought the fight: who kept the faith while others fell: whose strength endured through disco's hell. And now you guitar-clad boys, remembered till this day, can surely look back with pride and say "We stood as watchmen on the wall, we held our posts though lesser men did fall. We were those mythic warriors who stood for right; who vanquished mediocrity that rock's light may shine bright. Yes we were those rock 'n' roll warriors of the night who bore the brunt of disco's might; we few, we valiant lads who fought the good fight."
Chuck Burbank, October 2002
Sheldon Miller, January 2008Tony Winslow passed away May 4, 2004 after a courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
Tony was a founding member of The Capers, and the Northwest Rock and Roll Band, who toured the state for the Governors Council of the Arts in the early 1970's. He also worked with groups such as The Kingsmen and Junior Cadillac before joining Dennis Roberts whom he worked with for many years.
Tony joined our band, Kracker for a short while before his illness forced him to retire. He was a talented guy who had a great sense of humor and was always fun to be around. He will be greatly missed.
Steve Samsel, May 2004
After Dale Dunsmore left the band he was replaced by Sheldon Miller. Al Braun left and was replaced on bass by William “Smitty” Smith who was later replaced by Jim Bartlett. Later one of Sheldon’s contacts, L.A. based Don Tunnel, came on board as the band’s manager.
Sheldon Miller, January 2008
Last Update: 15 January 2008
Credits: Chuck Burbank, Steve Samsel, Sheldon Miller, Mike Stirn
