The Roof Raisers - Musicians

Cheyenne Geary has been performing and singing for as long as she can remember. Most of her family members are musicians and many of her early memories include sitting at her father’s feet as he played the piano and sang Beatles songs. In 1992, Cheyenne received her Paderewski Gold Medal for 10 successive years of playing for the National Piano Guild. In high school, Cheyenne excelled as first chair trumpet her sophomore through senior years, and considered majoring in the instrument, but singing is her real passion. In 2006, Cheyenne received an award for outstanding soloist at the North Texas Jazz Festival in Addison where she performed with the Richland College Jazz Singers. Currently, Cheyenne is working on her degree in vocal performance at CCCCD and plans transfer to TWU next fall.

Dane Petersen was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin. At the age of 7 he began piano studies and has been singing since the age of 5. In 1992, he received his Bachelor's Degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He then moved to Texas, where he attended UNT in Denton and received his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies in 1999. Following school he became a full-time professional musician, playing keyboards and singing in groups such as Tropix, Groove Posse and Random Axis. Dane also sings and plays on studio sessions, teaches piano, maintains a Pro Tools home studio (where he has composed library tracks for various jingle houses in Dallas), runs a Finale notation service called Sonic Score, and designs websites, including his personal web site --www.danepetersen.com. In 2004 he released a 6-song pop CD called "More Than A Day's Work," which can be found on various online services, including CD Baby and iTunes. Currently he is working on a full-length recording, and performs regularly around Dallas.

Pete Brewer plays saxophone with The Roof Raisers. He is an alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin and The University of North Texas. As a member of the U.N.T One O'Clock Lab Band, he was a featured soloist on the "Lab '75" album and also performed on "Lab '76" before going on tour with the Woody Herman Orchestra. Pete has accompanied many featured artists, including Rosemary Clooney, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr., Bernadette Peters, and Patti Austin. In 2000, Pete released his latest CD of jazz originals, "Second Wind". Jazz Improv Magazine's review said, "this sound and this musician deserve your attention......Pete handles all the emotions with style to burn". All of Pete's albums are now available on CD.

Mandy Mancini has been lead vocalist for The Roof Raisers since 1993. She started her professional singing career at Six Flags Over Texas at the age of 16, and a few years later moved to New York City, where her voice made its way to several demos and jingles. The same year she joined The Roof Raisers, she sang her way onto the "Be a Star" variety show on the Nashville Network. During the day, Mandy is a Project Leader at Southwest Airlines, and in addition to singing with The Roof Raisers, can be heard on the radio singing jingles and radio IDs for stations across the country (KVIL in Dallas, KABC in Los Angeles, and WABC in New York, to name a few). Mandy also recorded the most recent "American Top 40" jingle package for Casey Kasem's weekly syndicated radio show heard across the country.

Mandy also released her first holiday CD in 2006, entitled, "What Christmas Means to Me". Go to mandymancini.com to find out more!

Marshall Morris plays bass guitar with The Roof Raisers. Marshall was born and raised right here in Dallas, and in addition to being an accomplished bassist, Marshall has also played the saxophone for more than 10 years. His playing experience includes performing with several local favorite bands, as well as many national artists. Marshall plays a mean bass, but rounds out his musical talents by writing songs, as well. We are very excited to have Marshall as part of our musical "family".

Gene Glover is the leader of The Roof Raisers, and has been at the helm for over 15 years. Gene plays drums in the band and also covers male lead vocal duties. Gene graduated with a Masters of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas in 1979, where he played in the world-renowned One O'clock Lab Band. He does a good deal of music contracting in the Metroplex for such artists as Marvin Hamlisch and The Fifth Dimension. He has also played drums/percussion for big names like Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Delbert McClinton, Doc Severinson and George Strait, to name a few. Gene has led his own bands since the age of 14 and began The Roof Raisers in 1984. Since then, the group has grown into one of the foremost special event bands in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Larry Spencer is The Roof Raisers' trumpet player. Larry has a full resume that includes playing with: Tom Scott, Oliver Nelson, Randy and Michael Brecker, Frank Foster, Ernie Wilkins, Manny Album, Clark Terry, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Lou Rawls, Cab Calloway, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams and many others. More recent performances include appearances with Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Rita Moreno, Toni Tenille, Marvin Hamlisch, Frank Sinatra, Reba McIntyre and The Dixie Chicks. Larry attended the University of North Texas and became a member of the famed One O'Clock Lab Band, appearing on "Lab '78". Larry also enjoys wearing his "classical hat". He has played principal and section trumpet with the Richardson Symphony, Arlington Philharmonic, East Texas Symphony, Texas Wind Symphony, and Ft. Worth Symphony. He is also in demand as a soloist for weddings and various sacred concerts and services. Larry brings years of experience to The Roof Raisers and we're very proud to have him.

Nick Knirk is a reliable, versatile, and experienced guitarist in the D/FW area. He is a graduate from University of North Texas’ world-renowned jazz music program. Armed with an ability to perform a wide range of styles, he finds comfort in many different musical settings from solo acoustic shows to 8-piece wedding bands. He has performed with countless artists including:

Gene Glover and The Roof Raisers
(roofraisersband.com)
Bill Tillman Band
(billtillman.com )
Becca Dalrymple
(beccad.com)
Dan Grambort
(dangrambort.com)
Waking Norman
(myspace.com/wakingnorman)
Icehouse
(icehousedfw.com)

Nick also enjoys performing at church. Most Sunday mornings he can be found in the praise and worship band at Dallas Bible Church.

Texas-born saxophonist Paul Nagy honed his many talents in the Lone Star State and then relocated to New York. Immediately upon moving to Manhattan, he was working in area bands, and, less than a year later, recording jingles for Showtime, NBC, ABC, HBO, ESPN, ESPN2, American Music Classics and Hong Kong Cable TV. His Texas funk/jazz fusion of styles has led to performances throughout the U.S., as well as Europe, South America, Africa and Russia. Paul has opened for such artists as Wynton Marsalis, Gato Barbieri, Special FX, Ashford & Simpson, Michael Bolton, Jon Lucien, Frankie Valli, Regis and Kathy Lee, Nell Carter, Art Garfunkel, KC and the Sunshine Band, Gloria Gainor and Booker T and the MGs. Influenced by Tom Scott, Michael Brecker, Sonny Stitt, and Dexter Gordon, Paul started his career in Dallas, leading several popular bands and recording with local artists such as Smokin’ Joe Kubek and songstress Linda Petty. His move to New York in 1989 was the impetus he needed to expand his musical opportunities, including working as a recording engineer at Newfound Sound for five years. "This enabled me to refine my concept of producing as well as meet a lot of world-class players," he says. The Roof Raisers are very excited that Paul has returned to Big D and joined our "serious party band"!