Bob Ketchum is the man behind the drumsticks. A talented live and studio drummer with over 35 years of experience, he keeps the beat going while Jerry Bone handles the bass chores. Jerry's tasteful bass chops come from years of experience in all kinds of playing situations. Jerry's ability to cover many styles of music is the glue that holds the trio together. It also makes for an interesting situation whenever the three of them blast off into an impromptu jam in the middle of an arrangement.
Mark Rex is an exceptional guitarist with his own instrumental CD, and plays a dual role of keeping the arrangement moving while also churning out some blistering leads. Lead vocal chores are aptly divided between Bob and Mark. Bob does the basic rock stuff and Mark has James Brown and the other funky tunes covered.
One thing that sets Spilt Milk apart from the rest of the pack is that this band prides itself on NEVER REHEARSING! It has to be a really BIG gig for them to actually resort to a rehearsal. Otherwise, what's the fun of playing every sterile lick perfectly? Not practicing keeps them on their toes musically and forces them to pay more attention to each other on stage.
At least that's what they tell us.....
And just to mix things up, they sometime change personell overnight. Occassionally, Mark will switch off on bass and Robbie Springfield will step in and play guitar. Or perhaps alumni member Doug Deforest will sit in on bass just for kicks. Or maybe they will even show up as a four-piece or a five-piece! It's all so confusing........
Probably the most unusual aspect of Spilt Milk is the fact that although they all have their own CD's out, the band prefers to just do covers. The reason? No pretenses. The guys just have such a good time doing cover material..... classics of the 60's and 70's........ and they only perform material that is instantly recognizable to the public. Sometimes they can be coaxed into doing an original or two, but more often they prefer to just do covers and please the crowd.
(DATELINE JUNE 30, 2003): "The recent private birthday bash held on Lake Norfork was not only fun but unusual as our audience were all situated on four huge houseboats parked together in a cove. The picture below was taken from our vantage point on a swimming dock from which we played out to the audience and no doubt several dozen fishermen spread out over a quarter mile of lake frontage. - Bob, Mark & Jerry"
(DATELINE JULY 6, 2003): "Talk about a hot time in the old town..... temperatures broke 100 as we set up our gear in the outdoor beer garden of the Back 40 for our July 5th gig, but by evening it had cooled down to the lower 90's! Added to that the high humidity and it made for a sweltery night of rock n' roll. The garden was full of party people set on and evening of music and fun. Even though it was Sweat City, we had a blast. Thanks SO MUCH for the large turnout on such a hot and busy weekend! We're really looking forward to the big Beach Party planned for August 23rd!" - Bob, Mark & Jerry
(DATELINE AUGUST 30 2003): "Wow! What a great party!! Budweiser sure knows how to give away the toys and prizes! We enjoyed a sold out crowd and although it was a bit humid, everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. We were honored to have Steven Kane drop in from Nashville to play a couple of great blues tunes. (He just happened to bring his Les Paul and a Princeton amp). We must have had a hot night because the Back 40 suffered from extensive smoke damage caused by a fire started by faulty wiring in a popcorn machine. Can't wait for the next time!" - Bob, Mark & Jerry
(DATELINE SEPTEMBER 11 2003): "The Baxter County Fair! WE CURDLED!! Everyone (and I mean everyone) turns out for the fair. People you haven't seen for a year come out of the woodwork. Several factors were working against us: At the last minute Jerry couldn't make the gig due to his hectic work schedule, so we called Spilt Milk Alumni Doug Deforest and Robbie Springfield and they helped Mark and I out of a jam. Also it was September 11th, which, along with the impending thunderstorm, attempted to put a damper on the evening. It rained just as we arrived to off load our gear onto the outdoor stage, but let up and held out until exactly time to load our gear back up at 10 O'clock. Throughout the evening we were treated to a "light show" of spectacular lightning strikes off in the distance over the lake. It was a cool evening with no rain and a slight breeze. Perfect for an outdoor concert. I hope we get to do it again sometime, but hopefully not on 9/11." - Bob, Mark Doug & Robbie
(DATELINE SEPTEMBER 27 2003): "This is the first time we have played at the Club Windjammer this year. The club and the reataurant has been re-opened under new management, and we hope they can make a go of it, as the facility is probably the nicest venue in Baxter County. We hear the food is great at the restaurant, and the club was really fixed up since the last time we played there. The crowd was small, but it may take some time for management to build up some "regulars". We are looking forward to returning to the Club Windjammer for the big Halloween party sponsored by Q94 Radio in West Plains." - Bob, Mark & Jerry
(DATELINE OCTOBER 18 2003): "Wow! What a gig! Of course, I KNEW it would be a great night once I decided NOT to bring in any recording gear. Any time I make a decision like that it always turns out to be a great gig. The night was cool and the air was crisp. It was a perfectly fitting evening to hold a "last outdoor gig of the year" party. Those present got a real taste of what a band can do when it all clicks together. I think this was the best we've ever sound since we have been together. Even our mistakes sounded good! I'm looking forward to next Spring already!" - Bob, Mark & Jerry
(DATELINE OCTOBER 31 2003): "Well, as it turns out there are still people in this world who enjoy a good costume party! Rockin' Randall and Sean Austin of KSPQ/94 were in good form as they hosted the radio station's "Rocktoberfest" party live and direct from the Club Windjammer. They gave away a Fender Strat and amplifier, as well as a bitchin' car stereo system and other great prizes. The large crowd was about a 50/50 mix of costumes and street clothes. There were very many original (and some very weird) costumes. I really wanted to ask that guy in the 2" spiked high heels how he managed to dance in them! At midnight everyone sang happy birthday to me. Another year older and deeper in debt. We played four full sets and by 1:00 AM I felt the full weight of my 57 years! Thanks to my family and the extended family of the Lally Brothers Moving Service the load out wasn't so bad. (Private joke). Mark and I were also looking forward to sharing the stage with "Spilt Milk" alumni Doug Deforest. He pulled out all the stops and even brought along his stand up bass for some rockin' 50's style bass slappin'. This gig also signaled the closing down of the club for the winter. Considering the last gig we played was closing down the beer garden at the Back 40 I would like to say here that if you have a club that needs closing just give "Spilt Milk" a call. We close 'em down NOW!" - Bob, Mark & Doug
NOTICE !!
The band has temporarily curbed their live gigging. Bob and Mark are involved with composing the soundtrack for an Independent movie production.
They are also both involved in a new music project and are about to release a new collaberative album of original instrumental material.
Stay tuned to the web site for further information. Remember: "Don't cry over Spilt Milk!"
BOB KETCHUM
CEDAR CREST STUDIO
#17 CR 830
HENDERSON, ARKANSAS 72544
(870) 488-5777
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