BUDDY SHUTE

Originally from the West Coast, Mark's family moved to Arkansas when he was eleven. He describes his musical style as “country boy meets the blues.” Influenced by Charlie McCoy and John Hammond, he's a fan of blues, Cajun and gospel traditions. Mark bought his first harmonica in 1970 for a whopping $7.50, and has been playing ever since.  Mark's also a farmer and skilled woodcarver, and he once sold a cow to help pay for one of the band's recording sessions. 

Like Buddy, Brenda's a Memphis native. She's also the band's newest member, and an enthusiastic one. "I love performing with the Motivators, singing Buddy's songs, and interpreting the songs of others.  And I love exchanging joy and energy with the crowd."  She also loves performing with her husband, Steve. Her influences are many, and include Etta James, Otis Redding,  Mavis Staples, Keb Mo, and a gazillion others. She's a songwriter as well, and has collaborated with Buddy. 

Steve has been a staple of the NWA music scene for years. He's played with a long list of bands, including  ten years with the loved and legendary  Cherry Brooks Band, Jim Mills and the Hellbenders and Decoy. He's lent his talents to many recording sessions, and even had the pleasure of playing with Levon Helm. Once, for one song, but still....He 's  got a music degree with a concentration in upright/ electric bass, and hasn't met a genre he didn't like. 

Drummer TJ Gates has a long career performing as a concert, studio, and touring musician, covering a wide range of musical styles from Blues, R&B, Soul, Funk and Jazz to Rock, Alternative, Country, Americana, and more. Some of the more well-known artists he has performed with: Willie Nelson, Rhonda Vincent, Jimmy Vaughn, Howard Levy, and some public and private performances with the wonderful Ronstadt family from Tucson. “I love playing any style with good players and good people!”