Casey O'Brien      George Ruiz      Donna Murphy   Bob Riedel      Bill Fritchard      Mike Antonelli      Clay Beard  Past Members

Donna Murphy - Lead Vocals Donna came to Big Kahuna in 2004.She has performed with a handful of local bands that includes "The Young & Old", "Turning Point", "Mot's Garage", "The Cover Up Band" and the "Miggles". Although she enjoys and is completely at ease singing all styles of music, Donna is especially drawn to soul and R&B.

Bob Riedel - Lead Vocals and Guitar Bob comes to Big Kahuna with over 40 years experience as a professional singer/musician, actor and dancer. He has studied music and voice at both Alfred University and the Jordan School of Music in Manhattan. He sang with the Lew Anderson Big Band as well as heading his own band, "Blue Persuasion" for almost 30 years. Other bands have included "Loose Wheel", "Crossroads" and "4 Of A Kind". As a guitarist (including pedal steel) and vocalist, Bob is a sought after musician whose work has enhanced many recordings.

Bill Fitchard - Keyboard, Guitar, Vocals Bill brings an interesting mix of both music and art to Big Kahuna. He's a graduate of The School Of Visual Arts and currently a working portrait artist. His father Maurice was a big-band leader and studio musician who brought him up immersed in the sounds of Jazz and Pop standards. He and Casey's musical paths have crossed many times in the past. Also having been in the music business for over 30 years, Bill has been involved in many other musical projects too numerous to mention, both electric and acoustic.

George Ruiz- Drums and Vocals Enjoying a varied performance career, George has been involved in community theater productions, Catholic Youth Music Ministry as well as original rock 'n roll projects for over 30 years. During that time George has helped to provide the soundtrack to the happiest of days for over 5,000 wedding couples. As a performer working for many of the top entertainment agencies, George has performed all around the New York City, Tri-State Area. Whatever musical style is called for, big band, Motown, disco, funk and rock music, George is comfortable laying down a big, solid dance groove that will keep the dance floor full.

Casey O'Brien - Bass Having been one of the founding members of "The Spectrum" in 1965, "The Solidified World" in 1967 and then in 1969 "Heaven & Earth" (which went on to play the club circuit in Manhattan, Westchester and Rockland Counties), Casey brings a wealth of experience to the band.

Mike Antonelli - Saxaphone Tenor saxophonist/leader Michael Antonelli has been performing throughout the Hudson Valley since 1978.He was a performer/ arranger and eventual leader of the popular dance band "Silk-n-Sounds" which he performed in between 1982-2005. He currently performs with the seventeen piece New York Swing Exchange, the Big Kahuna dance band, the Big Bang Jazz Gang, and his own jazz quartet. Michael earned his bachelor's degree in professional music from Berklee College in Boston, his masters in music education from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, and is currently working towards his Doctor of Musical Arts degree through Boston University. He has studied with saxophonists Louis Soloway, Joe Viola, Frank Tiberi, and Joe Lovano. He is currently the high school band director at Valley Central High School in Montgomery, NY.

Clay Beard - Trumpet, Vocals Clay earned his B.A. in music education at Sheppard University at West Virginia, subsequently playing in bands in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. Clay has studied with Rob Roy McGregor of the L.A. Philharmonic, Bob McCoy of the "Tonight Show" and "Doc" Reinhart. Local bands that Clay has performed with include Silk N' Sounds, Pizzazz Otro Colour and the Sharp Nine Band.