Members

Pride & Joy

Members

Don Pride: Lead Guitarist, Vocals & Band Leader

Don is a guitarist proficient in many different styles. He has presented concerts and recitals throughout the United States . Don recently played lead guitar as part of Clay Aiken's band during his 2006 and 2007 Christmas tours. Don is also a member of the Chelsea Symphony and the TACTUS New Music Ensemble in New York City. Don is currently Music Minister for Windham Assembly of God and also teaches guitar and composition.

The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra premiered his first major piece for orchestra, “One Breath,” in May 2004. He received a grant for this work from the American Music Center in New York City . Don has also released two albums of his own compositions. About Don’s original music, The Cutting Edge said “Pride is a guitarist’s hero. He flows between classy folk to hard rock to blues-driven solos. Pride’s finger-lickin’ picking borders on the incredible. If Jimi Hendrix was mixed with Phil Keaggy, you would get a style similar to Pride’s.”

Don has studied privately with distinguished guitarists Eliot Fisk, David Leisner, Mark Delpriora, Keith Crook, and Tony Gabouri. He has also studied composition with Pulitzer Prize nominated composer Charles Fussell as well as Elliott Schwartz and Mark Scearce. Don graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Maine with his bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance. Don pursued further graduate studies at Manhattan School of Music in New York City and New England Conservatory in Boston. Don also attended the University of Maine at Augusta where he received a two year diploma in Jazz Guitar Performance. While attending there, Don had the privilege of playing with the great Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins.

He is the recipient of numerous awards including New England Conservatory’s Artist Award, scholarships from both Manhattan School of Music and New England Conservatory, the Presidential Scholarship from University of Southern Maine, the Golden Key Award, and was nominated to take part in the 2004 Honors Recital at University of Southern Maine.

Steve Footer: Bass Guitarist & Vocals

Steve Footer has been playing bass for 31 years in various country, rock and jazz bands. He received an Associates Degree in Popular Music from University of Maine at Augusta. He worked with The Larry Bisso Joey Beddia Show Band out of Boston. Steve has been a Pit Band player in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" and the rock opera "Tommy" at the Chocolate Church Art Center. He also writes and arranges songs.

Jon Schomaker: Saxophones, Flute & Vocals

Jon Schomaker began playing saxophone in 1974. During that time he has performed with DCC Jazz Ensemble in New York, Sammy Kay Orchestra, Ernie Watts, Daver Bargeron, Marvin Stamm and Billy Pierce. Jon studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He studied saxophone with Billy Pierce, George Garzone and Joe Viola; he studied clarinet with Andre Lazotte of the Boston Pops; he studied flute with Matt Mavuglio.

Carl Menard: Drums

Carl Menard has been a professional percussion instructor and performer for 16 years. During that time, he has performed for Presidents, Queen Elizabeth, as well as performing with Whitney Houston, Vanessa Williams, J.P. Morgan and countless others.