Member Since: 12/03/2007
Band Website: www.echelonministries.com
Band Members: John Simshauser (keys, sax, tin whistle, and bass) lives in Minneapolis, MN with his wife and son. He is currently enrolled at William Mitchell School of Law. He continues to run sound for occasional live shows and awaits the day that he can find a decent Philly cheesesteak in the Midwest.
Lloyd Garrelts (acoustic and electric guitars) also lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and continues to perform solo, as well as a member of Peder Eide's touring band. He writes his best songs on the back of a tractor while meandering through rural Illinois. Lloyd is unofficially sponsored by Pepsi.
Lowell Michelson (drums and percussion) is a pastor in Davenport, IA where he lives with his wife and three children. Besides his family, Lowell's great loves include good food, good tunes, and a short walk to the beach (yes, we did say Iowa). Favorite condiment: Old Bay Seasoning.
Todd Miller (bass and acoustic guitar) lives with his wife and son (with another on the way) in Locust Grove, VA. When he's not teaching fifth graders, he continues to perform music, most recently recording the soundtrack to the documentary, The Shadows of Virtue. Todd's literary influences include Ernest Hemingway, C.S. Lewis, and Dave Barry.
Influences: You name it, and Echelon has probably had it playing on tour, in the office, or jammed into the iPod. African, Latin, country, rock, rockabilly, jazz, we love it all. A complete list of specific groups would be too numerous, so here are the highlights: Hornsby, Cockburn, Rundman, James Taylor, Journey, Johnny Cash, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, Switchfoot, Miles, dare I say The Corrs and DMB? If you listen closely, you can probably figure it out.
Sounds Like: Anyone who would like to weigh in on this one, please feel free...
Record Label: happily unsigned