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Biographies

Erik Smith
Lead Vocalist / Front Man & Master of Ceremonies

Erik started his performance career as a tap/jazz dancer in the first grade. Being raised by parents with their masters degrees in vocal performance and education, he has been a musician since he could talk. Since he was in fifth grade, Erik studied with some of the drumming greats from Ndugu Chancler, Marvin Sparks Jr. and has performed with the great Dave Weckl and has accompanied the world famous Canadian Brass Quartet. Erik went on to get a BA in Percussion at Washington State University, and has spent the last decade playing professionally as a rhythm guitar singer/songwriter producing several albums and playing from coast to coast. He has found a great home in De Nada to facilitate his unique abilities as De Nada's lead singer/front man.
“His charismatic style makes you listen and pulls you off the edge of your seat!” - Solid Sound Productions.

Ron Ruiz
Lead & Rhythm Guitar & Vocals

A native to the Pacific Northwest, Ron began playing guitar at the age of thirteen under the guidance of his father. In high school he studied music theory and started his own band playing music from the 50's. Later under the tutelage of guitar virtuoso, Kelly Joe Phelps, Ron studied jazz from which he developed his passion for standards and big band. He spent ten years in a top 40 variety band traveling extensively and has been featured on numerous recordings from the independent label "Speed of Light." Having worked his way into a core of musicians that regularly back up big name "impersonators", Ron presently divides his time between tribute shows, a classic rock band and playing music for the elderly. Prone to occasional attempts at being a control freak, Ron is typically put back in his place and resumes his role as the quiet man behind the jazz chords.

ELLEN GODULA
Keyboards & Lead and Backup Vocals

Ellen's gift for the piano became apparent at age 4 when she'd plunk out melodies memorized from her parents' Engelbert Humperdinck albums at home. Fortunately for everyone, her musical influences expanded to include rock, pop, jazz and classical. After graduation from UC Santa Cruz and enjoying brief stints as ballet class accompanist and piano bar performer, Ellen became keyboardist and vocalist in an LA-based Top 40 band, travelling and working consistently for many years before returning home to Portland and re-planting her roots. She now writes and records music with her musician-husband Brian and has found musical bliss as a member of DeNada Band.

Dusty Hill
Drums

Dusty began playing drums at the age of 10 when he joined the local Drums and Bugle Corps in Astoria, Oregon and continued on through high school where he played in his school’s Jazz Band. During his senior year he made the 2-hour drive to Portland every 2 weeks to study with the great Jazz drummer Mel Brown, and continued while studying music at Mt. Hood Community College. In 1980, he started playing in clubs, and toured with various groups such as The Coasters, and The Drifters, and in 1981 landed the gig with popular Portland band, The Sleazy Pieces. He spent much of the 80’s playing a variety of music including rock, country, top 40, and Jazz. He later had the chance to play with the great Jazz bassist Leroy Vinegar and by the late 80’s spent two years playing with Obo Addy, a master drummer from Ghana, West Africa. Dusty has continued to play through the years and has taken pride in the ability to master all styles of music.

BRIAN GODULA
Bass & Vocals

Brian studied the cello at a young age, eventually learning upright bass and then electric bass. While in high school Brian played cello and upright bass with the San Jose City Orchestra. He has been in the music business since the mid-60’s playing in various S.F. Bay-area original bands including Stoneground a nationally successful act in 1971. He went on to form bands with musicians such as drummer Michael Shrieve from Santana, guitarist Lyle Workman from Sting's’s band and guitarist Pat Thrall from The Pat Travers Band. Brian formed the Portland, Oregon label, Zoppa Records in 2001 .

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