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Frank Lewis started Hidden Agenda in 1997 after attending a high school reunion and hooking up with classmates he had jammed with years ago. The band has gone through a few changes in genre and personnel, but the current core line-up has been performing danceable party covers & originals for over 6 years. Frank's strong songwriting ability, animated vocals, guitar that sounds like many different instruments, talk box - plus his hair that tends to stand up on end and get higher & higher during a show - entrances an audience! All band performers are friendly, down-to-earth folks as well as outstanding musicians.
For inquiring minds, here are brief bios on the band:
Frank at age 14 started playing electric guitar, and at 21 composed his first tune. To date he has copyrighted over 200 complete songs (music & lyrics). He has played with numerous bands, and recorded and engineered in different Houston studios with many regional and local artists. In the '80s, he built his home recording studio, producing, engineering and finalizing his own music and that of many other artists. In 1997 he started the cover band Hidden Agenda, which eventually evolved into performing mostly Frank's originals.
"I hope that my music touches listeners in some way, whether it causes memories of the past, inspires action, or helps to express emotions. I want it to trigger a physical response in the body. I hope that my songs are moving to the soul and body."
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John started playing the guitar because his older sister was doing it and she was the favorite. Scarred for life, he vowed to get better. It's amazing what a little sibling rivalry will help to accomplish! John has played around the USA and the UK in folk, rock, country, and progressive original music groups. He even played in an Elvis impersonator band in Biloxi, Mississippi, until his dismissal due to being "follically challenged." The ACLU wouldn't touch the lawsuit. He now resides in Houston under the alias, Reverend Johnny. Come hear him preach with his guitar!
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Elisha has a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, and also plays saxophone, clarinet and flute. She has a long history of performances in college including being principal clarinetist and concert master for the top symphonic band. She was also a featured vocal soloist with that band at a collegiate festival, saxophonist and vocalist in the Downbeat award-winning top jazz band, lead soprano of the jazz choirs, choir soloist, has sung leads in operas and musical theater - the list goes on. She played professionally with the Galvan jazz orchestra for a year, headlined singing with the Eddie Olivarez jazz sextet, as well as singing and playing for churches, weddings, and other special events.
"Music has always been an integral part of my life and always will be. I see it as a way to connect to people at a deeper level than I am capable of verbally, and express things that are not easily said or felt with words alone. It is my desire to touch people emotionally through music and make them feel something. Music devoid of passion and soul robs it of its potential power and true purpose."
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Roxy started piano lessons in Anchorage, Alaska in the 1960's, got a good background in music theory, then went on to dabble in guitar, which was easier to carry around during the hippy days. Prior to Hidden Agenda, she sang leads & backgrounds, and supported on rhythm guitar & keyboards with two Houston party bands, Split Image and Urgent Beat. Being married to Frank, Roxy was recruited in 1997 as the built-in bass player to jam with the high school reunion guys, even though she had never touched a bass guitar before. After several weeks of sore shoulders, back and fingers, she decided the bass won out over guitar and keys, and has had a blast playing it since.
"Music is a gift from God - so primal and spiritual that it influences us and expresses our true selves. I think we have so much beautiful, emotional, danceable music in the world because we use it to communicate to our fellow human beings and to the higher power that resides in and all around us."
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Cindy has been inspired by drummers and percussionists going back to the time she saw Ringo Starr at a Beatles concert in 1965. Just 5 years ago, in rebellion of her Mother's rule that "Young Ladies Do Not Play the Drums", and in final realization of her dreams, she has become a non-stop, jingling, rattling, chiming, thumping percussionist, as well as a steady, solid drummer.
"Music put the life back in me. When I started playing drums again it was therapeutic and brought healing and balance. When I play with other musicians it brings a bond that transcends every feeling. I love being part of those pieces that come together and creates something that entertains and brings joy to other people".
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Alan recognized the appeal and importance of playing drums at the ripe old age of 6, and then started doing so! Coming from a musical and artistic family, it was a normal part of living. Alan is a veteran of several rock, R&B and blues bands in Pennsylvania and Houston, including Jamie Kay and the Stereo (Budweiser Band contest winner and Benson and Hedges Electric Nights finalist), Inside/Out, Felis Leo, The Bricklayers Arm and the Bob Buckingham Blues Band.
"Music has always been important to me - I often relate what's going on in my life to certain music. Moods and emotions are enhanced or tempered by listening to music. Quite often, music is just great company. Of course, playing together with other musicians is still the ultimate reward. Being a part of the various instruments and vocals coming together to form a song is magical".
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