About the 2008 Rodeo Clowns
Known as one of the Bay Area's top-flight acoustic/electric bands, the Rodeo Clowns deliver tight, dancable covers of classic Rock & Roll by legends such as the Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller, Van Morrison Jefferson Airplane and Jack Johnson.
The band is lead by John Lawton (guitar/vocals) and Marla Goody (vocals) and backed by a talented, professional rhythm section of Scot Larsen (bass/vocals) and Steve Pefley (drums).
The band performs as a four piece, with male and female lead vocals, guitar, bass and drums. Smaller configurations are also available depending on the event requirements. The Rodeo Clowns are in high demand perrorming 6-8 gigs per month, including private parties, corporate events, weddings, showcase clubs and bars.
This page was last updated on: June 05, 2008
John Lawton is a respected guitarist in the Bay Area know primarily to play an acoustic guitar over a wide range of musical styles. He studied music theory at the College of San Mateo and Jazz theory privately with Dave Smith back in the early 80's. John was part of the Bay Area music scene back in the 80's and has returned to bay area music scene as the band leader of the Rodeo Clowns established in 2005.
Other notable musicians that John has shared the stage with include Norton Buffalo (Steve Miller, Doobie Brothers), Hardy Hemphill (Shania Twain) and Chris Cobb.
Marla Goody is a 4th generation vocalist. She has been performing since the age of 10. She travelled with Pink Floyd tribute band "Which One's Pink." Her soulful rendition of "Great Gig In The Sky" could be heard on LA Radio Stations in the late 90's, including the "House Of Blues." She has performed with Michael Douglas of "The Diamonds" and Tommy Sands.
Marla's Blues background is evident in her singing, and her ability extends beyond the blues. Marla has a strong voice, some of her stand out songs include "Wihite Rabbit" - Jefferson Airplane, "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" - K. T. Tunstal and "Highway to Hell" - AC/DC.
In addition to singing with the Rodeo Clowns you can catch Marla performing with Tia Carroll & Hard Work. (see http://tiacarroll.com) She also sits in several of the Pro-Blues Jams in the Bay Area and will be hosting her own evening at the well-known Redwood City Blues held at the Little Fox on June 25th, 2008.
Scot Larsen is a pure bass player with over 10 years of experience as a professional musician. He excels at all of genres visited by the Rodeo Clowns band. Scot graduated with honors from the renowned Bass Institute of Technology, where he studied under bass greats Gary Willis, Jeff Berlin and Putter Smith.
Scot has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and the Caribbean with legendary performers such as Dolly Parton, The Jordanaires, Phyllis Diller, Dom Deluise, The Platters, Barbara McNair, and Freddie Bell. A first call bassist in Las Vegas throughout the '90's, Scot performed in many of the Entertainment Capital’s showrooms and lounges before settling down in the San Francisco Bay area, where he can currently be seen performing regularly with the top-notch cover band, The Rodeo Clowns.
Steve Pefley is a consummate professional and an extremely versatile drummer who provides smooth transitions and steady rhythms across a wide range of music styles. His career has spanned over twenty-five years and encompasses a full range of musical experiences. These include studio and theatre work, industrial shows, cruise ship work, casual engagements, club dates and road work in a wide variety of musical styles.
Some of the artists Steve has played with include Nelson Riddle, Danny Thomas, Shirley Jones, Gordon McCrea, Martha Reaves and the Vandellas, Little Anthony, Lady Bo, Joann Castle, Hoyt Axton, Johnny Paycheck, David Frizzel,Bobby Pinson, Noki Edwards, Billy Armstrong, Arthur Duncan, Hong Kong pop artist Anthony Lun, San Jose Symphony Pops Orchestra, Princess Cruises, Contra Costa Music Theatre and Broadway By The Bay.
Steve also teaches drum lessons out of San Jose Pro Drum. (See: http://www.sanjoseprodrum.com)