Bad Influence of OKC

Welcome to the Bad Influence Experience.

A chance meeting between Donovan and Donna at the Alley Club
(thanks to Randy Johns) is what started the ball rolling.
Formed in December of 2002 by a phone call to Joe,
it was decided that Donna would be the vocal focus.

From the beginning, it was easy to see what a great advantage
our vocals would be and for the last 7 years as Bad Influence,
we've developed tight harmonies and great material
that continue to improve the longer we're together.
With 5 singers, that's a feat in itself!

Combining over 100 years of rock & roll experience,
a list of over 100 songs that continues to grow,
a state of the art sound system and LED stage lighting,
you'll want to get out of that chair and on your feet!

Enjoy the Bad Influence Experience!

 

new photos by Randy "the Finger" Murdoch

and our own Joe Beasley

We are:

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Donna Blakley

Lead Vocals:

I come from a family of HOT musicians to whom I wish to say
"Thank you for inspiring me".

"Bad Influence" is my first band.

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Donovan Blakley

Rhythm Guitar/Vocals: Playing since 1967.

His first gig was at Memorial Auditorium in 1967
opening for Blues Magoos, Hermans Hermits and The Who.
Donovan also passed up the chance to do some back-up vocals for Uriah Heep
in the early 70's (but for a good reason).
He is a veteran of many local bands
i.e. Clear Creek, Hearts on Fire, and Fourplay.

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Joe Beasley

Lead Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizer: Playing since 1958.

Joe has experience with many bands, including a stint with
Harvey and the Wallbangers and a few bands with Donovan.
He used to jam frequently with his cousins,
Tommy and Toy Caldwell of the Marshall Tucker Band.
Joe also has a Phd. in Political Science, so if you're ready for
an intelligent conversation, he's your man.

Oh, and you should hear him burn the frets up on "Sultans of Swing"

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Chuck Light

Drums/Vocals: Playing since 1979.

Chuck has played all over OKC, all kinds of music, with several bands.
Chuck and John have had experience playing music together in the past
which has proven to be yet another benefit to this band.

They say electronic drums have no soul,
apparently they've never heard Chuck play.

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John Shores
Bass/Vocals: Playing since 1966.

Born with a love for music, got his first electric guitar
on his 7th birthday when he was still physically too small
to handle it but he never gave up. His family was very
supportive of his interest and love of music.
Inspired by the likes of Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins,
Duane Eddy and other great artists of the past.
A veteran of bands such as Stone Fantasy, Cruizer, Mirrors,
XL, Band Together and finally playing bass with Bad Influence.
(which for us is a plus considering he's a guitar player)

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Jimmy Wilkerson
Sound Engineer (aka) the Sound God

Jimmy has a SH*T-load of experience mastering the sound board.
Working side by side with Mike Williams, Gene Wilkerson,
Shane Hoeltzel and Marvin Norsworthy as a part *OZB* for many years,
Jimmy fine tuned the art of blending harmonies, giving each instrument
the perfect volume and keeping the overall level at a "peaceful, easy feeling".
Unfortunately it was the loss of *OZB* that gave us the opportunity
to have him available to us and we've benefitted from it tremendously.
If you've been out to hear us, you've left
with your eardrums intact and not bleeding so be sure to thank Jimmy!