Steven O’Connell  - Vocals, Guitar and Mandolin 

Steve originated Fox Creek in 2004 after years of performing in folk, Rock & Roll, country and later bluegrass genres. His goals for the group are to focus on entertainment not just playing quality music, enjoying what they do and ensure the audience does also. In addition to being an accomplished musician,

Steve’s vocals set him apart. He has performed and recorded with the Rosa String Works Band (voted 2002 ITCMA Band of the Year) and opened for country artist Collin Raye in 2004 as part of the Blue Generation band. Steve is also an award winning (ITCMA 2003) gospel singer.

Don Beck is the bass player for Fox Creek and he is also our group’s “sound man” and all-around goofball. If someone breaks one of those famous “G strings,” Don can be counted on to entertain the crowd for a few minutes until it’s fixed. He knows hundreds of jokes. In addition to his musical interests and his professional life as a bid advisor with IBM Corporation,

Don is a talented woodworker, home remodeler, inventor, avowed packrat and he has been known to dive into dumpsters to find something useful that he can use for one of his many projects. “You never know when something will come in handy,” Don says, with his characteristic grin. Don and his wife Jo frequently host musical gatherings in their home and they enjoy the camaraderie of their many “bluegrass buddies.”

Dan has been involved in the bluegrass scene since high school, performing and teaching 5 string banjo, and was raised on square dance music as a child. His first banjo teacher was the legendary John Harford who attended the same high school. He has performed with many different bands in the St. Louis area, the Cuba-Rolla, MO area and in Tennessee. He sings as little as possible, but does do some harmony work on several numbers!

Dan was delighted to join Fox Creek at the beginning, with it’s up tempo, high energy style of bluegrass music. Several years ago, Dan branched out and learned to play the fiddle which is used with Fox Creek and another dance band.

The newest member of the band, Russ plays mandolin and sings. Russ was
inspired by the music of Bill Monroe and began playing the mandolin in 1999.
He lives in Collinsville and is a veteran of the Illinois
bluegrass bands The Share Croppers and Shoal Creek

Alumni

Dennis Wheelis, known as “Wheels” to his friends, is a native of north St. Louis. He grew up in a musical family where his dad played the guitar, his mom played the piano and his brothers all played the guitar. For a while Wheels played Bob Dylan-style music and blues. About the time Wheels got out of the Army, his brother turned him on to bluegrass. His greatest inspirations have been Tab Tabscott and Ferrell Stowe, both dobro players. “Tab got me started playing the dobro 10 years ago,” said Wheels. ‘He’s the Washington State champion dobro player now,” he added.  Wheels has played with a number of local bands, including Dry Creek Grass, Barely Here and Blue Generation.  One of his most memorable performances was at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, where he played with Mel Besher, Jr. in 2003. “This was at a benefit for Roy Huskey, Jr. and there were a lot of big names there.  It was such a thrill to be on that historic stage and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to do that,” Wheels added.  On another Nashville trip, Wheels played at the famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge on Broadway.  What does he like best about Fox Creek?  “Well, first of all, they’re a great bunch of guys that are fun to play with!  I also love listening to those great harmonies,” he added.

Steve hails from New York where he started out at an early age singing and playing guitar. His proficiency with instruments over the years expanded to include bass, mandolin and keyboards. Adept in a number of genres, Steve has performed with several country/folk/bluegrass bands in New York, Wisconsin and Missouri

Joe started his own band, Countryside Grass, back in 1982. The band played many festivals in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Joe joined Bill Jones and the Bluegrass Travelers in 1994 and performed with Bill for 14 years. Joe also plays with another local band called Lakewood Bluegrass. I am looking forward to helping Fox Creek with my experiences gained over the years.