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Capitol Offense

About Me

Shortly after becoming Governor of Arkansas in 1996, Gov. Mike Huckabee and staff members DeWayne Hayes and Chris Pyle were discussing their love of music and, specifically, classic rock-n-roll. After learning that they each played different musical instruments, they decided to get together for a jam session in the basement of the Governor’s Mansion.With Huckabee on the bass guitar, Hayes on lead and Pyle on drums, the trio recruited Rick Calhoun, an investment banker from Little Rock, to play rhythm guitar, and fellow staffer Mike Perkins to sing, and Capitol Offense was born.The band’s name reflected the fact that most members were governor’s staffers who worked in the State Capitol and, as Huckabee often says, “before the end of the night, we will have offended just about everybody.”The basement of the Governor’s Mansion was converted into a makeshift studio where the band would play, often times late into the night – that is until First Lady, Janet Huckabee, decided she wanted her house back.The band’s first gig was for a staff Christmas party on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion. Staff members gave endorsements such as, “Wow, you guys aren’t as bad as we thought you would be.”From those humble beginnings, Capitol Offense went on to be invited to open for such acts as Grand Funk Railroad, The Charlie Daniels Band, Willie Nelson, Percy Sledge and .38 Special and have played at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO, the House of Blues in New Orleans, the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR, and Delta Fest in Ferriday, LA.Today, the band is made up of original members Mike Huckabee (bass), Chris Pyle (drums), Rick Calhoun (rhythm guitar), as well as Gordon Caffey (lead guitar), Marynell Branch (keyboard), Teri Cox (vocals), Steve Pyle (vocals) and Aaron Black (vocals).The band’s set list contains songs such as Born to Be Wild, Fortunate Son, Jailhouse Rock, Freebird, Twist and Shout, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Dock of the Bay, Brown Eyed Girl, Taking Care of Business, Beautiful Tonight, Honky Tonk Woman, Joy to the World, Roll Over Beethoven, House of the Rising Sun, and many others.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 15/06/2007
Band Members: Mike Huckabee - Bass; Aaron Black - Vocals;Marynell Branch - Keys; Gordon Caffey - Lead Guitar, Vocals; Rick Calhoun - Guitar, Vocals; Teri Cox - Vocals; Chris Pyle - Drums; Steve Pyle - Vocals;
Sounds Like:
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

In Memoriam - Ron DuPriest

Ron Dupriest passed away this morning.  Ron traveled as part of the Capitol Offense crew to the Iowa Straw Poll, the Surf Ballroom and the Chuck Norris Ranch.  He was scheduled to go to Minneapolis as...
Posted by on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:22:00 GMT

HEADING FOR MINNESOTA

We'll be heading to Minnesota next week to play two shows in Minneapolis while the Republican National Convention is in town. On Tuesday night, September 2, we'll be at the Spin Nightclub with sp...
Posted by on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:55:00 GMT

New Shows

We've got some new shows coming up in Arkansas in August and in September while the Republican National Convention is in St. Paul, Minnesota. Check out the schedule for the August shows, and check bac...
Posted by on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:19:00 GMT

CHUCK NORRIS' RANCH

We've got a show at a "virtual BBQ" fundraiser at Chuck Norris' ranch on Sunday afternoon, January 20, 2008, somewhere in Texas.  It ought to be lots of fun!  We've never had virtual BBQ.&nb...
Posted by on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:16:00 GMT

TICKET INFO FOR SURF BALLROOM SHOW!

Check out the Surf Ballroom's website (www.surfballroom.com) for ticket information for our show in Clear Lake, Iowa on October 26, 2007. HELP CAPITOL OFFENSE PLAY THE WHITE HOUSE!
Posted by on Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:28:00 GMT

MIKE HUCKABEE AND CAPITOL OFFENSE TO PLAY THE SURF BALLROOM

Mike Huckabee and Capitol Offense will be appearing at the historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 7:00 PM.  Check back here later for more details on tickets. &...
Posted by on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:57:00 GMT

GORDON AT GRUMPYS WITH MATT DAME

Have you seen the "Free Bird" video? Our lead guitar player, Gordon Caffey, will be playing with Capitol Offense Myspace Friend Matt Dame (www.myspace.com/mattdame)  at Grumpy's, 1801 G...
Posted by on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:46:00 GMT

RICK AND THE ST. JAMES GROUP IN BULL SHOALS

Capitol Offense rhythm guitar play Rick Calhoun is doing a reunion show with his old band the "St. James Group" on Saturday night, September 22, 2007 at the Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts, at 10...
Posted by on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:03:00 GMT

Capitol Offense - "Free Bird"

undefined Capitol Offense - "Free Bird" Add to My Profile | More Videos
Posted by on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 04:56:00 GMT

HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT GUITAR PICKS

Mike Huckabee supporters were passing out "Huckabee for President" guitar picks at the Iowa Straw Poll.  Check out the photos in the pics section.  Courtesy of Gordon.   HELP CAPIT...
Posted by on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:35:00 GMT