It wasn't supposed to last this long.
What went wrong?

The "garage band" era of rock and roll music's long and meandering history has got to be the most pure. Who can't remember those hot summer nights in "Anytown, USA" back in the 60's without the sound of raw chords and genuine enthusiasm emanating from the local pool on Friday nights? These songs were not the work of accomplished Juliard Trained musicians. These were simply the local youth caught up into an era of listening to his or her favorite songs on a three- inch transistorized delivery system regurgitating in back to anyone that would listen. When it came to rock and Roll bands in the 60's, if you looked the part, you got the part. Society is littered with thousands of corporate presidents, schoolteachers, and construction workers whom at one time were the dream of what Rock and Roll really is. The "Troublemakers" story is similar to all those before them but with one small exception. It happened 30 years later than planned. Like the Monkees, the Troublemakers were a planned and orchestrated project with several exceptions. There were no high-level executives, marketing teams or research groups to plot the course. In the beginning, it was five friends who had all worked together and hated cards, drinking beer at Hooters in Lexington, Kentucky. Listening to the music being played, a dream was hatched. They all loved old-time rock and roll and had Thursday nights free. Yes, They were all going Middle Ages crazy, but were too lazy to get divorces and too poor to buy Corvettes. Jack Pattie who is the #1 rated morning man on WVLK radio in Lexington, KY and Ross Martin have been associated with Radio and TV in Lexington for many years. Local attorney Jim Alexander had been in a Bluegrass band with Jack and Ross called "Catfish and the Hushpuppies." They were the nucleus of the unit. Michael Cooper was working for the local Classic Rock Station as afternoon announcer and Steve Hayes was the morning personality on K-93. All were stool bound this particular night in the summer of 1997 as a dream was reborn. For the first year, the only ears to hear the art of the "Troublemakers" were wives, girlfriends and annoyed neighbors as Jim Alexander's Basement (unfinished) was the nerve center for Rocks rebirth. The Troublemakers first paying gig ( hip musicians slang) was at the Nightcrawler club on Lake Herrington. A patron was stabbed. The next date was a live juke den in Lexington called Hemmingway's. Following the Troublemakers performance, the owner sold the club that night and left. The next booking was a benefit concert at a club called " The Shack " in Lexington. That night a fight broke out and a patron was killed. After seriously thinking of a name change to "The Carpenters", the Troublemakers accepted a private party date at the home of David Shofner in Frankfort, Ky. Within minutes of our first set; the heat (slang term for policeman) had arrived. The Troublemakers were too loud for this nice, quiet urban neighborhood. We had to be told on several visits. David joined the Group in an informal jam session on guitar, and before the night was over he was the new Rhythm guitarist. Actually, the Troublemakers had never had one before so he was a welcomed addition. During the summer of 98', Ross Martin decided to become a part-time member of the group since he also played the bagpipes and we never could figure how to work that into " Louie Louie," we accepted his sabbatical leave. As it turns out, Hooters is a great place to find good lead guitarists. The following week the band went back to Hooters to plot their course and found Tom Dickson drinking a few brews with friends. Tom is a Veteran of Country Rock as well as rock and Roll. After two pitchers of beer and half a dozen hot wings, the deal was sealed. Tom was a Troublemaker. While the " Troublemakers " meteoric rise to fan acceptance has been a connecting voice to simpler times. The garage band sound is raw, the enthusiasm is real. Bringing Old time Rock and Roll back to the people minus corporate artistry and cookie cutter polish is all this fun loving band of throwbacks knows how to do. The following pages chronicle the rise of six guys who are caught in a dream and refuse to wake up. Please, don't set the alarm.

Keyboards - Jack Pattie

Drums - Jim Alexander

Bass Guitar - Michael Cooper

Lead Guitar - Tom Dickson

Rhythm Guitar - David Shofner

Lead Vocals & Hand Held Percussion - Steve Hayes

If you're interested in booking The Troublemakers for your next event or if you like to contact a member of the band, please fill-out our online contact form