Carl Conge - Lead Vocals/Percussion/ BAND LEADER
Carl was born and raised in Rochester, New York, and has been interested in music ever since he can remember.
As a teenager, he would entertain the girls who lived across the street by placing speakers in his bedroom window, playing music, and mimicking the DJ chatter that he would hear between songs on the radio. A few short years later, Carl started his own Mobile DJ business, and – in the years since – has entertained thousands of people at weddings, reunions, birthday parties, and the like. In the late nineties, one of his early dreams of being on the radio was realized when Carl was selected to appear as a Guest DJ on “The Drive at Five with Mike Vickers” on WBBF-FM. Today, Carl still has his hand in the DJ business, but his real love is songwriting and performing.
Over the years, Carl has been fortunate enough to write and/or perform with some truly talented people, including multiple Grammy-nominated songwriter, musician, arranger, and producer Larry Dvoskin; Academy of Country Music Award Winner Dave Gibson (The Gibson-Miller Band); former Capital Records Recording Artist Don Mancuso (Black Sheep, The Lou Gramm Band, D Drive); and former United Artist Records Recording Artist Mason Tyler (Pookah).
Carl is a retired Army Captain, and the recipient of many awards and decorations. .
JOHN BANKER - RHYTHM GUITAR/VOCALS
John grew up Kendall, New York - close enough to Rochester, yet far enough away that he was able to tune in all 3 TV channels from Buffalo and on occasion, even a few from our neighbors up in Canada.
The Top 40 music that he first heard on AM radio - and the rock music that he later listened to on FM radio - influenced him enough to want to buy a guitar. His parents were on board with the idea, but first he had to agree to learn to play trumpet from his Great Uncle Dick (rumor has it that he still has the Coronet Trumpet that he learned to play on).
He was a member of Concert, Jazz, Stage and Marching Bands in both High School and College. Later, he learned to play multiple instruments.
Since then, John has been in several different solo, duo and group arrangements doing a wide range of cover and original songs, including playing in the "If All Rochester Wrote the Same Song" show at the Hochstein Music School with Scout, his wife.
After a break that started with COVID, he is very excited to have the opportunity to play with 47 South.
CAMERAN WATT - LEAD GUITAR/VOCALS
Bio pending.
SCOTT DASSON - BASS GUITAR
Scott was born in Irondequoit, New York, which means he grew up in a place where you learn early that winter is serious, the radio matters, and good music can get you through just about anything.
Like a lot of us, Scott got hooked on the songs first - the kind that make you turn the dial up a little louder and start tapping on the dashboard without even realizing it. Before long, that turned into bass guitar - and then into a lifetime of locking in with drummers, lifting choruses, and making bands feel bigger, tighter, and more “together.”
Here’s the fun part: Scott didn’t just play bass - he also invented a part for bass guitars that helps them play more in tune. And yes… it even ended up on a Rush tour - with Geddy Lee using Scott’s invention during the band’s R40 era.
With 47 South, Scott brings the foundation - steady groove, great feel, and the kind of low end that makes everybody else sound better.
KEVIN GROTH – DRUMS/VOCALS
Kevin was born and raised in Webster, NY. He began his musical journey in elementary school, performing Beatles songs for his fifth-grade classmates on coffee-can drums and cigar-box guitars during lunch - and he was hooked. That early spark led to a real drum kit and years of playing in bands throughout high school and beyond.
In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Kevin toured the hotel “B” circuit across the country with his best friend and guitarist. After a decades-long hiatus, he returned to music several years ago, eager to get back behind the kit.
Now retired from the 9-5 grind, Kevin enjoys playing golf, playing drums, walking his dogs, traveling, and catching live music with his wife, Amy.
PETER "PETE" DEYO – KEYBOARDS
Hailing from Brighton, Peter's musical journey began with the syncopated rhythms of Scott Joplin's ragtime, which later blossomed into a deep admiration for the timeless melodies of The Beatles. He also draws inspiration from the Grateful Dead, particularly their dedication to live performance and improvisational prowess. With experience in several local cover bands, Peter brings a rich blend of classic influences and contemporary flair to 47 South. Alongside his work with the band, Peter has on ongoing lifelong side project of learning Beethoven's piano sonatas.
BREEZE - AUDIO ENGINEER
Born and raised in New York City, Breeze began working professionally as a drummer throughout the NYC tri-state area in the early 1970s. In addition to his work behind the drums, he has also spent much of his career as a composer, producer, stage technician, and audio engineer.
After establishing a reputation as a solid performer, Breeze received a call from the prominent East Coast band Crack the Sky to tour with them. Following his touring and recording work with the band, he went on to tour, record, and work as a stage technician for several major national acts.
His touring and stage tech credits include Joan Jett, Eddie Money, Peter Frampton, Ace Frehley, John Entwistle, Robin Zander, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, and many other notable artists.
In the mid-1980s, Breeze moved his band to the Tampa / St. Pete area of Florida and began performing throughout the Southeast with his own band, featuring original music that he composed.
In the 1990s, Breeze became one of the lead engineers at Morrisound Recording in Tampa. Through his work at Morrisound, he connected with several prominent touring acts and began touring extensively throughout the United States. This created opportunities for his own band to open for many of these artists while he simultaneously worked as a stage technician and front-of-house engineer on the road.
Today, Breeze continues to write, record, and collaborate on original compositions with many of the musicians he has met throughout his career. He is proud to bring that lifetime of experience to 47 South as the band’s audio engineer.
“What a long, strange trip it’s been.”