CYNDI KOCH- LEAD VOCALS

Cyndi Koch has been a lead vocalist for over 9 years in several popular local bands. She has opened for great acts such as Emerson Drive and Joe Nichols. Cyndi has toured all over Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California playing rodeos, fairs, festivals, casinos, lodges, and private clubs. She has focused on a variety of music ranging from the classic sounds of Patsy Cline, and Pat Benatar, to the more current styles of Sugarland. Variety is the spice of life, Cyndi has a song for everyone! She also manages the band.  You can contact Cyndi at cyngasong@aol.com or (503) 932-6708 for all your booking needs.

 GENE JOHNSON- LEAD GUITAR, RHYTHM GUITAR,  VOCALS

Gene Johnson screams on lead guitar. He started playing professionally at the age of 17, playing anything from Tex-Mex country to Motown and R&B. He then began playing in various country bands, such as Countrified, Shaw County, and the Good “Ol Boys, sometimes playing locally, sometimes going out of town to the coast or eastern Oregon. He then began playing on the road for about 4 years, mainly playing in British Columbia. After a 3 year hiatus, Gene again began to play in local various bands, and then played for a year in the midwest, playing for anything from local festivals to the Sturgis Biker Rally, playing blues, classic rock, and country. After returning to Oregon, Gene joined the New South Band, which he worked with exclusively for nearly 15 years, and still sets in with on occasion when asked. Currently, Gene is playing in Exit 307, and is really enjoying being able to play the wide variety of music possible with this band, and is looking forward to working with these talented musicians for a long time to come.

JESSE RUGGLES- BASS, RHYTHM GUITAR, LEAD GUITAR, VOCALS

Jesse Ruggles is a professional, multi-talented musician. It is a real honor to have such a gifted musician in the band.  Jesse plays bass, Drums, and lead guitar.  He is the son of Country legend Cal Smith.  I guess his amazing talent comes naturally.  He loves travel and the open road. He has toured with his band of 20+ years, PHAMOUS PHACES, as well as his Alt-Country Psychobilly act, J.R. and Th' FARM. As a memeber of Phaces, he opened for countless major acts, and he has 4 killer cd's and 4 European tours under his belt. He has his own recording studio, "The Quickernell Studio".  Jesse lays the down the bass like no other!  He also is killer on lead guitar.  You won’t forget Jesse Ruggles!


RON PETTY- DRUMS

Ron Petty began playing the drums at age 2. He received his first drum set as a teenager.  He also has toured with PHAMOUS PHACES 20+ years.  He and Jesse have worked together so long there is a magic that you only get with years.  He has been on 4 European tours, opened for countless major acts, and also contributed to the 4 killer PHAMOUS PHACES CD’s.  Ron is the owner of Hi-Five Music Company in Roseburg, Oregon.  His experience shows with a solid tempo and great dynamics.  He is the driving force that holds Exit 307 together!

JIMMI SMITH- BASS, VOCALS

Jimmi Smith has been playing bass for over thirty years dabbling in classical to country, and jazz to rock, and blues. He started cutting his teeth playing in various rock bands while he was in the junior high and high school jazz bands. One of the bands, Harry Harley & The Davidson’s even opened for Rick Springfield at an open-air concert in the early 1970’s. Some of his formal training was done at Mt. Hood Community College studying music where he played upright, fretless electric, and electric bass under the direction of Hal Malcom with The Vocal Jazz One choral group. Throughout the years on the road Jimmy has either opened for or played with various artists such as Sarah Vaughn, Elvin Bishop, Mickey Gilly, The Hager Twins, Robbie Laws, Jim Mesi, The Coasters, Ellen Whyte, Frankie Lee, Terry Robb, and Paul Delay. Jimmi lays down the bass with a pulse no other man can. With the combination of Jimmi and Ron holding down the bottom end there’s no band that has it so tight to groove.