The Decoys are a five-man powerhouse rhythm and blues band featuring five of the most seasoned musicians anywhere. Formed 11 years ago by veteran record producer Johnny Sandlin (The Allman Bros., Delbert McLinton, Widespread Panicâ¦), The band has grown to gain wide respect and recognition worldwide, and everyone in the band has made their mark in the music industry
The band has toured the south playing nightclubs and festivals. They have performed at the Birmingham City Stages festival numerous times as well as Huntsville Big Spring Jam and the Chunky Blues festival in Mississippi. The band?was featured at the grand opening of the Alabama music hall of fame and shortly afterward toured Europe and the Mediterranean. The have also appeared in concert with the likes of B.B. King, Delbert McClinton, Bo Diddley and the Allman Brothers. The Decoys have always been admired by their peers and have occasionally been joined on stage by some of the finest musicians in the business.
The band has released two albums “All My Friends” and "Live at Union Station." Appearing with the band were veteran keyboard player with the Rolling Stones, Chuck Leavell, Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks and Randall Bramlett from Steve Windwood's band. A new album is scheduled to be released December 3rd 2001 entitled “Shot From the Saddle”.
Each member of the band records writes and plays independently of the band in the studio and on the road, but all remain loyal to the Decoys out of a desire to play quality music with people they respect and admire.
Scott Boyer
Scott is a singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for his work in the band "Cowboy" and the Eric Clapton version of his song "Please Be With Me" on the "461 Ocean Boulevard" album.
His career extends back to the mid?60's when he formed a band with future Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks and David Brown, bassist now with Steve Miller.
He worked in the 70's for Capricorn Records, playing in "Cowboy" and recording with artists including Percy Sledge, Gregg Allman, Kitty Wells, Martin Mull, Billy Joe Shaver and Arthur Conley. During this period he wrote songs recorded by Gregg Allman, Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney and Bonnie), Alex Taylor(James' Brothers) and others.
Scott continued to write and record through the 80's, also playing with the Mobile based band "The Convertibles." He currently resides in North Alabama where he writes, operates his recording studio and plays in a popular band "The Decoys." His recent list of credits includes coauthoring songs with legendary Shoals area writers Donnie Fritts and Spooner Oldham, numerous studio projects with Johnny Sandlin, "Allman Brothers" and "Widespread Panic" producer, and having songs recorded by Gregg Allman, Jimmy Hall, Wayne Toups and many others.
David Hood
David is a man who, in the world of music, industry needs no introduction. As a member of the world famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, he has played on a list of albums that reads like a who's who of the music industry.
These artists include: Aretha Franklin, Bob Segar, Paul Simon, Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Greg Allman, Patti Austin, James Brown, JJ Cale, Clarence Carter, Kim Carnes, Dr. Hook, Glen Frey, Art Garfunkel, John Hammond, Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Boz Skaggs, Percy Sledge, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, Etta James and Joe Cocker Just to name a few. He also recorded and toured with Steve Windwood's band, Traffic along with Roger Hawkins.
He was instrumental in helping to form The Muscle Shoals Sound which. established Muscle Shoals, Alabama as one of the hit recording capitals of the world, and continues to record with some. of the best names in the business.
Kelvin Holly
Kelvin Holly has long been recognized as one of the South's, premiere guitarists. His career dates back to Montgomery Alabama where he played with Harmony, replacing Tommy Shaw who had left to play with Styx.
He moved to North Alabama in the early eighties where he met Johnny Sandlin and Scott Boyer who were looking for a guitarist for the Decoys. Since then he has played and recorded with several artists including Little Richard, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Bobby Blue Bland, and the Decoys.
He now resides in Muscle Shoals where he is currently writing and working in his new recording studio, and he can be seen worldwide playing in the Little Richard band.
NC Thurman
NC Thurman started playing with bands, back in the sixties. He plays keyboard, harmonica, guitar, melodica and vocals. He has played with some great artists such as Bettye Swann, Eddie Floyd, Donnie Fritts, Gregg Allman, Billy Dean, The Forrester Sisters, Little Richard, Percy Sledge and Hank Williams Jr. to mention a few. He performed on recording sessions with the likes of Chuck Leavell of the Rolling Stones, Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Will Mcfarland, Johnny Sandlin, Jack Pearson and many more.
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