History:  

Chris started playing accordion at the age of 6. Thanks to the efforts and patience of his parents, Chris mastered the accordion and had dreams of having his own band.

With the demise of his brother Mike’s accordion lessons (it was a very short-lived adventure), Chris convinced his parents to allow Mike to take drum lessons, knowing that an accordion player is always in need of a good drummer. Fortunately, Mike was a natural percussionist, and has developed into one of the most versatile, not to mention one of the best, drummers in the business.

With the help of his friends Scott and Doug, Chris has realized that dream of having his own band. It has been, and always will be, one of his strongholds in life. He has given much to his music, and in return, his music has given everything back to him tenfold.

He hopes that his melodies have brought others as much enjoyment as he has received in playing them, and looks forward to many more years of music, fun and entertainment!

History:  

Mike was born October 16, 1973 at Elmbrook Memorial and was raised in Hubertus Wisconsin. He had originally started out playing accordion but didn’t seem to have the patience to keep up with the lessons and practicing. Within about a year after throwing in the towel, his brother Chris suggested to him to learn the drums. The drums seemed to come somewhat natural to him and he has loved it ever since.

Mike also went to school to enter the world of tool and die. He currently works as a mold designer at a well-established company in Menomonee Falls. He is also happily married to his wife Sandra and was blessed by the birth of their son Stephen in 2003 and their daughter Rebekah in 2008.  They currently reside in Menomonee Falls still staying close to both family and friends.

When time allows he and Sandy love to go camping. They were both raised with camping by their folks and still enjoy touring around parts of Wisconsin to this day. If there isn’t the time to go camping Mike likes to dabble around a bit with some of his wood working skills.

The thing that Mike likes best about the band is being around enjoyable company while giving the audience a show that they will remember. It’s the close bond and willingness to rehearse and perform that keeps The Music Venders sounding and staying together. Mike says, "We aren’t just a band we are family!"

History:  

Doug had been playing the saxophone since his early school days.  He attended UWSP and majored in music education and mathematics.  Doug has lived in the Jackson area for the past fifteen years.  In that time Doug played with the Jan Garber Big Band and for 8 years with the Bill Sackett Band.  Currently you will also see Doug each Sunday night at St. Frances Cabrini Church in West Bend playing piano with the contemporary Christian rock band Alive.   As the newest member of the Music Venders Doug hopes to add the saxophone melodies you all are used to hearing and hopes to meet the friends, families and fans that are part of the extended music family of the Music Venders.

History:  

Originally from central Illinois, Scott moved to Wisconsin in 1985. He met Chris while they were both attending Milwaukee Lutheran High School, which is where they became friends.

After graduation, life took them into different directions, until 1991, when the two crossed paths again. Chris had already formed a band, but felt that it was too much to run the sound equipment efficiently, and perform on stage as well. Scott had been working part-time as a disc jockey for a music company in Milwaukee, and had some sound equipment knowledge and experience as well. Soon thereafter, Scott made his debut with the band, and has been an intricate part of The Music Venders ever since.

In recent years, Scott has also been singing third part harmony in many of the band’s American and German selections, which has been an enlightening experience for Scott to say the least. His talents make him truly unique, and set him apart from the ordinary soundman.