Here are a few musicians who have played with Hot As A Pepper:
Chip McDonald – Lead Vocals
Chip found his love for singing in high school chorus and achieved all state honors five years in a row. Chip has been in “Who’s Who in American Music”, won a high school talent contest singing “Sweet Home Alabama” and from then on was hooked!
After high school, Chip played in various garage bands then went professional and sang with The McCoys in Pennsylvania (They did the hit song “Hang on Sloopy”). Chip’s career took him to Texas where he was lead singer for Shadowfax and Silent Majority. In 1986 he returned to The Upstate and joined a local band called The Merge which played in the Clemson area for 8 years. Chip performed with The Dockside Band from September 2011 until April 2012, ultimately landing in at the formation of Hot As A Pepper in May 2012 and departing December 31st, 2018
Curtis Butler – Drums & Vocals
Curtis has been drumming since 1972. Since that time he has played with many different groups, touring for 2 ½ years through 26 of the SE States. In 1984, he was given the opportunity to play the World’s Fair in New Orleans, LA. with “Generations II”, a Christian music band.
He has played with some of the best musicians in southern gospel music and was an anchor for the rhythm section for Northern Ohio State music team. His experiences in the cultural diversities of that genre’ only served to develop his unique and adaptive style of playing that fits so well in live situations.
His most recent project was with the Augusta GA based R&B group, “Soul Play”. Therein he was in a great situation to showcase his versatility that was also honed by influences such as Phil Collins, Jeff Porcaro, Don Henley, Manu Katche’, Omar Hakim and Buddy Rich.
Curtis also plays trumpet and Bass guitar and he joined up with Hot As A Pepper in May of 2012, during the founding of the group. His funky & laid back chops were exactly what HAAP needed to bring that danceable groove. Curtis played with HAAP through December of 2012.
EQUIPMENT: 1985 Yamaha Power Tour Custom / Zildjan Cymbals
Galen Fowler – Keyboard, Guitar & Vocals
Galen has been playing professionally since 1980. He was the front man for The Majestics in the 90′s and more recently he was with Flashback The Party Band from Charlotte NC. His specialty is the keyboard, however he is a guitarist as well. Galen works in industrial sales. He has a beautiful wife Barbara and three children, Raleigh, Andrew, and Jennifer. Galen is also a huge fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Galen was with HAAP from October of 2012 through December 2012.
We would like to thank each one of these people for helping us out and being a part of our lives!
Tim Howe – Guitar & Vocals
Tim Howe started playing guitar, self taught, in Akron,Ohio. Has been playing for 40 years. Various rock and metal bands thru the 70″s and 80’s. Played around the Akron, Canton and Cleveland area in Ohio,with playing at the Akron Agora as one of the proudest.
Tim moved to Greenville SC in the mid 80″s and was in several bands till joining the No Sweat Band in Spartanburg in 2001. Playing various city events such as Music on Main almost yearly, Carolina Panthers party at Barnett park, and also some of the best clubs in the area such as Wild Wing, Chiefs and PJ’s, which has made No Sweat Band one of the top bands in the Spartanburg area, consistently filling clubs. Tim has played from Kentucky to Columbia and Myrtle Beach. Tim plays all types of music with rock being his favorite. Tim joined HAAP in May of ’12 at the founding of the group and departed January of 2014.
Robbie Bryant – Keyboards & Vocals
Robbie Bryant arrived on Planet Earth in New Orleans, Louisiana sometime in the early 50’s, just as rock and roll was originating there.
Robbie was drawn to music as a very young child. He first performed in public at the age of 5. Robbie was 10 when he began his professional career. He is a veteran of the Atlanta, Los Angeles and San Diego music scenes, working as a studio and touring musician. He has recorded and performed with many regional and several national and international artists.
Robbie has a degree in music theory and composition from the Dick Grove School of Music, Los Angeles.
In addition to anything with white & black keys, he also plays guitar and bass guitar, and offers lessons in the Upstate area.
More info about Robbie can be found HERE.
Robbie joined up with Hot As A Pepper in July of 2014 and departed in January of 2015.
Richard Young Jr. – Guitar & Vocals
Richard began playing the piano as soon as he could reach the keys. After several years of piano lessons and a couple of years of cello, Richard heard “Eruption” by Edward Van Halen and immediately knew that his future destiny was with the guitar.
Throughout high school he studied electric guitar with Charlie Wood and Mark Swicegood, and classical guitar with Deborah Rankin. He attended Fine Arts Center where he studied music theory with Jon Grier, and attended Governors School for the Arts summer program at Furman. He was well known in the Greenville music scene as the guitarist for Labyrinth.
Richard went on to study classical guitar at Brevard College and University of Georgia, and finished at University of South Carolina, where he studied classical guitar with Christopher Berg and earned a bachelors degree in music theory. During his college years he played with the experimental Athens GA fusion group “?” (pronounced “Question Mark”).
Living in Atlanta from 1996 to 2006, Richard continued to follow his passion and sharpen his skills as a guitar teacher and guitar repairman / hot-rodder while performing with The Naked Truth. In 2006 he moved back to his hometown Greenville, SC. In 2008 he joined the band Green Vegas.
Richard teaches music theory at the Fine Arts Center and is also locally known as a guitar teacher and guitar technician. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys backpacking, fishing, archery, shooting, whitewater, and skydiving. He also enjoys spending time in the workshop with his father Dick Young, who is a legendary local luthier and guitar technician.
Richard signed on with Hot As A Pepper in January of 2014 and went to work full in teaching in 2016
Annie Perez – Vocals
Annie Perez has been passionate about music since childhood. Annie grew up in Vermont, in a town that literally had more cows than people. There weren’t many opportunities for aspiring musicians there, so upstate South Carolina’s flourishing local music scene has been a breath of fresh air! Annie moved to the upstate four years ago and quickly began making music, most recently as a part of the duo “Strange Bird,” writing original songs, singing and playing rhythm guitar and cajon. When not singing and dancing Annie teaches fitness classes, including co-founding a volunteer organization “Vibration Yoga” that brings yoga and meditation to underrepresented communities. Follow Annie on all the social media platforms @anniecperez
Annie Perez formally joined Hot As A Pepper in November of 2021 and departed in August of 2023 and can be found fronting Flipside band