Bio

 

Small Town Son members are multi-talented instrumentalists, songwriters and performers on the verge of becoming nationally recognized in country music. Dynamic local & regional favorites, this energized, rock-edged country band performs a wide range of popular covers blended with creative originals.

STS has opened for:
Luke Bryan,
Easton Corbin
Justin Moore
Josh Thompson
Steel Magnolia
Randy Houser
Frankie Ballard
Jason Jones
Flynnville Train
Cody McCarver
Fast Ryde
Joe Nichols

STS has over 70,000 fans on over 300 Music and Social Networks and is on over 3,000 websites. STS also maintains an active email newsletter schedule that reaches over 3,000 subscribers a week.

Burning Good Rubber, their first album released in 2010, was met with rabid appreciation by fans and industry members throughout the mid west region. “Missing you”, one of the many standout tracks, received radio airplay on several Michigan and Indiana stations.

~ The Band ~

Kris Hitchcock fronts the band and is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter and dynamic vocalist whose gritty tenor and tremendous range belies his young age, and with a sense of lyric and melody that speak of a seasoned songsmith. With an active writing schedule in and out of Nashville, TN, Kris spends as much time writing as he does singing and playing, which gives STS the great songs that are set to explode on the national scene.
Kris also plays guitar (acoustic and electric) and piano.

Ian Szarafinski is the skilled lead guitar player and backup vocalist, in addition to playing mandolin and banjo. Between his harmony singing and clever guitar playing from a blues and rock background, Ian is one of the most sought after lead pickers in the area and a proud founding member of the band.

Billy “the bear” Justice is the driving force from the drums that gives STS their patented kick! Billy is an experienced musician and has played with several regional and national artists before making his home with STS.

Mike Howe is a true talent at the Bass guitar and backup vocals. Winner of the Guitar Center “King of the blues” competition for Grand Rapids on lead guitar, Mike made the transition back to bass guitar and has fallen right into step with the high-octane music that makes the band go.

Susan Belliel is the world class violinist that gives STS their awesome blend of musicianship. When she isn’t playing with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Susan’s bluegrass and country fiddle licks are absolutely unmatched. Having played and recorded in both Michigan and Nashville, and majored in performance at Calvin college in Michigan, Susan is a professional of the highest caliber.

This band will provide an electrifying show featuring original music that is already rising up the country charts, and also covers a wide range of country. classic and southern rock, bluegrass, blues, and singer/songwriter music.

Catch these shooting stars on their way to the top!