THE BAND
MIKE SLAVIN
// lead guitar, vocals
Mike hails from Averill Park. A proud guitar student of Matt Smith and began playing at age 13. His brother was a huge influence, introducing him to his rock roots. In high school, Mike co-founded "Ambush", a small band influenced by Metallica. In the early 90's, he and friends formed "Sauce", focusing on bands such as 3 Doors Down, Bush, and Kiss. Mike then had a long run with "5 O'clock Charlie", playing classic and 90's rock. His biggest accomplishment was learning 80's metal and being able to open for "RATT" at Northern Lights. Mike's next projects were "King Friday" in 2007, followed by tribute bands for "Creed" and "Pearl Jam". Mike's adoration for Kenny Rogers & Garth Brooks helped push his heart to Country. Now, inspired by Jason Aldean, who added a rock edge to Country Music, Mike enjoys playing new and classic country hits, with this talented band. His success will always be attributed to his family and friends who kept his love for entertaining alive.
DAN SIMMONS
// bass
Dan was born the son of a horse trader in Haynersville. He attended Tamarac High School, on and off. Sometimes he'd just stay home and jam. Dan started out playing the drums in his first band, "Euphoria" (Mike McMahon Band). Soon after that he started playing Bass in his brother Jay's band, called "Cottonmouth" (Country and Southern Rock). In 2007, Dan co-founded the band "King Friday" (Classic Rock) with Mike Slavin and worked on several side projects with Mike after that; including "Full Circle" (Creed Tribute Band) and "King Jeremy" (Pearl Jam Tribute Band). Following a great 7-year run with those bands, Dan decided to go back to his roots, on the "Whiskey Highway"!
STEVE THOMAS
// lead vocals
As a child Steve would sing with his mother in the kitchen, listening to Kenny Rogers. In the late 80s he would dabble with other genres, but returned to country music in the 90s. After 20+ years singing in bars and at family gatherings (1990s, well into the 2010s), two of his friends, who happen to be the lead singers of the biggest cover band in the region, asked him to sing a song with another local band. Steve hopped up on stage with that band, as he had with his friends' band so many times. A few weeks later Steve officially became the lead singer of the True Grit Outlaws. After more than 3 years, Steve eventually stepped down in 2016 to spend time with his family. He decided to return to the stage years later when his friend, former TGO bandmate and guitarist, recommended that Steve succeed him as the front man for a band closer to home. So, in the Fall of 2019 Steve joined Whiskey Highway, an it's been a helluva ride since.
MARTY SATALINO
// fiddle, mandolin
With decades of musical performances from rock to bluegrass to country, Marty brings his unique, adventurous, but always collaborative style of playing to the always evolving Whiskey Highway stage. If you thought you knew what a fiddle was supposed to sound like, think again!
TIM BUSHART
// guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals
Involved with music since his time in junior high, primarily with the guitar, Tim has played with other bands, such as Borrowed Time, Power Source, and the First Cut, along with various acoustic acts around the region. He's played a few roles within Whiskey Highway since the band's formation, and has recently taken up the pedal steel guitar, adding that to his talents with the electric and acoustic guitars. Tim's looking forward to continuing to cover the best modern and classic country music songs alongside the other skilled musicians and vocalists in the most recent ensemble of Whiskey Highway!
JONATHAN MONTAG
// drums
Jon grew up on Long Island, and after living in Indiana, Chicago, and Buffalo he chose in 2001 to move to the Capital Region because of all the opportunities available. Jon took 20 years off from music, but always knew he'd return. Now, with Whiskey Highway, he can reignite that fire within.
Jon's favorite drummers are Dave Weckl, Mike Portnoy, and he’s heavily influenced by Buddy Rich, of course. His favorite type of music these days is country, and his favorite country acts are Hardy, Morgan Wallen, and Eric Church. Jon never turns down a chance to see or play a live show! At the local bars, he will occasionally fill in with The Rhythm Pilots (a local dance band).
Jon, and his family live on Saratoga Lake, and they enjoy fishing, tubing, snowboarding, and skiing. They’re huge fans of the Yankees, Bills, and Sabers, and they attend as many games as they can. Their favorite spot in town is SPAC, and they go to EVERY country show that comes around.