Russ Fuquay - Guitar and Vocals
Russ is the tallest of the Gumbo. More importantly, a very talented and accomplished player. Russ hails from Texas, a breeding ground for so many great players. During the day Russ hangs his hat at the Joy of Music School in Knoxville. An extremely worthy non profit organization that provides music instruction for those who could not otherwise afford it. Russ can play with the lightning acccuracy of a flat picking champion, or slow down with a big Texas tone. The boy can outright play !
Rob Higginbotham - Other Guitar and Vocals
Rob hails from Brooklyn, otherwise known as Kings County. Rob has been a part of the Knoxville music scene for over a decade, playing in such bands as Bootleg Blues with Rick Rouse, Blues Voice with Nan Citty, Jobe, Groove Salad, Smokin' Section and others. Rob currently plays with Avenue C when not helping stir the Gumbo. During the day you can find Rob teaching guitar at Riks Music in Knoxville, or at his home studio in Maryville. Rob has run jam nights in the Knoxville area for quite a while including most recently the Pauls Oasis Thursday jam. Rob ran the blues jam at Brackins in Maryville for close to 5 years. Rob is a melodic player whose major influences span the Chicago Blues sound of the 60s and the bay area sound of the 70s.
John Stephens - Bass Guitar and Vocals
John hails from West Virginia where he played in many different bands growing up. John has been slappin' the bass around Knoxville for a few years now - most notably with the Spank Dog Blues Revue. John is an accomplished singer. When not stirring the pot with the Gumbo you can often find John around town wowing the crowds with just a six string acoustic and his rich vocals.
James "Animal" Higginbotham - Drums
James is the only ingredient in the Gumbo to actually have "Kings County" on his birth certificate (his dad was actually born in New York City) so the Gumbo is named after the "Animal". and well it should be. James has a few years experience playing around KnoxVegas with local R/B band Soulfinger in the past. He also played a bit with long time local area musician Rey Pineda when not cooking things up for the Gumbo. When it comes to the "pocket" James knows just where to find it, locking in with John Stephens to provide the Gumbo with just the right rythm to spice things up and keep everyone on the dance floor.