Banner Thomas - bass

Banner, like a generation of Americans, first discovered rock n' roll when he saw the Beatles on the Jack Paar Show a year before they played their famous gig on the Ed Sullivan Show. The rest was history. After having played the guitar for about two years he then heard Cream's Jack Bruce, Banner went right out and bought a bass. When he was 16, Banner played in a garage band to "pick up girls." Then in 1973, while jamming with Donald Hall, a guitar player, they met Dave Hluebek at a music store. Hluebek invited Hall to come try out for his band -- Molly Hatchet. Hall left the band after three months and that winter Hluebek called to see if Banner was still available to play bass. Then they were flirtin' with disaster until the band broke up. Banner has continued to have an illustrious career and played with several noteworthy bands. Now he is playing with the Mike Miller Band. Banner says it best, "Ain't life grand?"