Once upon a time there was a band called Southern Touch. They had been together for over five years when their guitarist passed away. Drummer Timmy Moore called on longtime friend Mike Thomas to fill in and they played one gig and the band dispersed.

Timmy and Mike were not ready to give it up so a few phone calls were made and vocalist/guitarist Jeff Jones and bassist Terry "Mouse" Darnell were added to the line-up and 69 South was born. Tonya Howard was added to the mix and she added much needed harmonies and female vocals to the band.

The band played for about a year when Tonya's full time job made it virtually impossible for her to continue. Tonya was replaced by Kathy Townsend and shortly afterwards Jeff quit due to personal reasons. Jeff was replaced by Chad Audas and the reputation of 69 South grew immensly.

In March of 06 a series of unfortunate events forced the band to let Kathy go and it was a very heart wrenching time. The band auditioned a couple other very talented female singers, but none seemed to fit the mold. On a whim it was suggested that ex-member Jeff Jones be asked to "fill in" until a suitable female was found.

What happened next was pure magic. Chad and Jeff's blended voices were breathtaking and everyone knew it! "That first show with Jeff was the best we've EVER sounded up to that point," commented bassist Terry "Mouse" Darnell. "I just remember we were all looking at each other in amazement." Although Jeff was in the process of forming his own band, he was more or less automatically added again to the line-up of 69 South. "The chemistry was there, there was no denying it. Jeff HAD to be in the band, and Jeff knew it!" says guitarist Mike Thomas.

Jeff is an excellent singer in his own right, but singing harmony is his strongest attribute. He helped Mike and Timmy refine their harmonies so now 69 South has vocals that can actually be compared with great bands like The Eagles and Alabama.

With the powerhouse vocals of Chad and Jeff, Mike's unique and firey guitar playing and the solid rhythm section from Timmy and Mouse, the band 69 South is unstoppable! They have already opened for acts such as Confederate Railroad, Buddy Jewell and Trace Adkins. If everything goes as it should, a whole lot of people will know who this band is.

"We're realists though," says lead guitarist Mike Thomas. "The music industry is a very tough nut to crack. We're just going to do what we do, step things up a level or two, and put out the best music we possibly can."

The band is in the process of recording a demo CD which should be ready by early October 2006. 69 South has drawn the attention of record labels and publishers alike. They are booked solid for every weekend through the year 2006. The future could be a bright one for this band.

Q1. Artistic Name
A1. 69 South
Q2. How many Band Members
A2 5
Q3. Name of Members
A3 Chad Audas - Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Jeff Jones - Vocals/Guitar
Mike Thomas - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Terry "Mouse" Darnell - Bass
Timmy Moore - Drums/Vocals
Q4. How did you get started?
A4. Timmy Moore played drums for Southern Touch and when their guitarist unexpetantly passed away, he asked Mike Thomas to fill in. After playing one gig Southern Touch broke up and Mike and Timmy made some phone calls and recruited Mouse and Jeff Jones. We had a gig coming up and had to come up with a name, so someone jokingly said, "How 'bout 69 South!" We all said, "Okay!" Over the years we have had female singers and Jeff even quit the band. After Jeff quit, we called on Chad Audas who has a phenominal voice. At one our female vocalist was not working out and we were forced to let her go. We asked former member Jeff Jones to fill in and he agreed. After one gig the chemistry was undeniable. Jeff rejoined the group and it has been a steady rise since then.
Q5. Have you played Radio
A5. Some of our music has been played on powerhouserock.net, an internet radio station and on some podcasts. We have done interviews on WKTG 93.9FM.
Q6. When
A6. The powerhouserock is ongoing. We're usually played in the morning hours by DJ George Black. The WKTG thing was done on Oct. 21st at the Riverside Rocktoberfest in Dawson Springs KY.
Q7. Influences
A7. Our influences vary. Each member brings something a little different than the other. Chad and Jeff's influences are mostly modern country like Big & Rich, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Travis Tritt and the like. Jeff goes back further with Merl Haggard and George Jones. Mike is a blues/southern rocker. He grew up on Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ted Nugent, Judas Priest, Molly Hatchet, REO Speedwagon, etc. Mouse is moreof a classic rock classic country guy. The Beatles, Stones, Haggard, etc. Timmy just listens to anything from hard rock to country to hip-hop and rap. (we don't do rap!)
Q8. How long have you played together as a band - or solo artist?
A8. We started in August of 2003
Q9. Favorite of your Songs
A9. That probably varies from member to member, but we love our originals Broken Blues and Music Man. As for covers, Blues Man & Dinosaur by Hank Jr, Copperhead Road by Steve Earl.
Q10. Why
A10. Well, the originals because they came from us. They are songs that we didn't just write, we lived. The covers, well, because they're cool! And we do them well.
Q11. What are your short term (1 year) goal and long term (5+ years) goals?
A11. Short term, we'd like to get more regional. Maybe get up to Owensboro & Evansville and Louisville & Bowling Green. Long term, we're like anyone else in this business, we want to make it in the big time! lol!
Q12. What is your process of creating a Song?
A12. Usually Jeff will come up with some lyrics and a basic melody. We'll sit down and fool with it as a band, try this and that until we find something we all like. Sometimes one of us will come up with a chorus or a hook and hand it to Jeff and he'll take off with it. A lot of times we'll have brainstorming sessions and come up with stuff that way.
Q13. What keeps you going?
A13. It's FUN! We've reached a point where we are known in the local area and we pack out just about everywhere we play. We have something special and we know it.
Q14. If you could meet anyone in the music industry who would it be?
A14. Any major record label executive who would be willing to give us a shot.
Q15. What would you say to them?
A15. Tell 'em if they want to make a lot of money, they need to sign us!
Q16. Who is your Manager
A16. Right now we self managed
Q17. Name of Studio and Production Company
A17. We recorded at David Youngs home studio in Princeton KY. We do not have a production company.
Q18. Recording Label
A18. We do not have a label at this time.
Q19. Who does your Artwork
A19. We've had a lot of help in this department. Kevin McCarty helped us out by designing our logo. Leslie Helton from Image Photography has done some phenominal stuff with our pictures as well.
Q20. Who is your Merchandiser
A20. We are!
Q21.. What genre do you consider yourselves?
A21. Good question. Country with a rock flare? Southern rock or perhaps americana.
Q22. What bands have you opened for or played with?
A22. National acts - Confederate Railroad, Trace Adkins, and Buddy Jewell. Locally - Straydaway, Fury, The Sons of James Dean.
Q23. Do you have an EP or a CD released- Any plans for one?
A23. We have a 5 song demo with two originals and 3 covers. We plan on recording a full CD in the not so distant future.
Q24. What are you tour plans?
A24. We have no plans to tour just yet, but that could change tomorrow!
Q25. Do you have a press kit? If it's an EPK, what's the URL?
A25. Our EPK is at www.sonicbids.com/69south
Q26. What do you want fans to know about you?
A26. We are a hard working band that loves to have fun and we want our listeners to walk away knowing they were entertained by a professional band who showed them a GREAT time! We have more original music on the way and have plans on cutting a full CD in the not so distant future.