ROCK TO RECOVERY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Program Administrator
- Artist
Alexander Rossi is a recording artist, film maker, and educator based in Los Angeles. He plays in "His Eyes Have Fangs" with legendary skateboarder Tony Alva. Alexander has composed music for shows on FOX and NETFLIX. An album of solo material is expected in 2020. Alexander went to music school at the University of Oregon, then moved to Los Angeles to attend Art Center College of Design, where he graduated with a degree in film. He has worked on numerous network TV shows and films and now heads the RockSTAR, media arts and music departments at STAR Education, where he designs programs and classes that allow him to share his love of music and film with the next generation. Alexander brings his talent as a musician and keyboard player to Rock to Recovery in the greater Los Angeles area. His experience working with youth is a great asset to Rock to Recovery.
Job Titles:
- Advisory Board
- Founder, My Clean Water
Mr. Christopher's career has circled back to television and is currently Executive Producing a series for NBC Univiso that will air the third quarter, 2016. He has also developed a joint venture partnership with one of the largest media companies in China that manages a $1.6B media fund. He began his career while in college, became an office production coordinator on the original S.W.A.T. series working with Robert Hamner.
In the 80's as President of Active International he oversaw all production, marketing and global distribution producing some 20 projects per year. He was also President of Gold Key Entertainment, a video production/distribution company. Working around the globe over the last 30+ years he has been responsible for hundreds of programs and projects from South Africa to France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, England, Netherlands, Libya, Hong Kong, the Arctic and many other locations.
In the 90's, Mr. Christopher saw the "future" and migrated into media. He has consulted and/or produced content for NASA, Boeing, Pepsi, Nissan, Cox Communications, Sony, Miller Brewing Company, Disney, Wells Fargo, JEEP, Capital Records, Arista Records, General Motors and others. In 2011 he produced for JEEP and Activision "Maximum Warriors" - a live action version of Call of Duty-Black Ops for internet and mobile viral marketing distribution - prepping the marketplace for opening day sales. Black Ops sold $242m in its first day of sales. A record.
Interested in environmental and educational issues he has worked with and produced programs for the University of California, UNESCO, OC Department of Education, Ocean Institute, Aquarium and many others. He founded My Clean Water Act, an online/offline awareness program about clean water that reached 1.7M consumers. As CEO he was responsible for all online and live events that hosted audiences from 8,000 to 25,000+ at numerous universities. His specific responsibilities covered promotions, site logistics, sponsorship sales and contract negotiations, sponsor fulfillment, etc. Staples, Chevrolet, Hurley, Monster, Metropolitan Water (World's largest water district with 19M customers), City of Newport Beach and other sponsors participated
Billy Morrison is an English guitar player who plays with Billy Idol. He has played with numerous other bands including Royal Machines, The Cult, Stimulator, Camp Freddy, and Into a Circle. He fronted the band Circus Diablo. Billy is also a fine art collector.
Job Titles:
- Program Administrator
- Board of Directors
Brandon Parkhurst is a singer/songwriter from San Diego. He has been the key songwriter for Kut U Up and Yovee for over 15 years as well as toured with Green Day, Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World. Brandon has written scores for many surf and skate films in the action sports industry premiered around the world for Fuel T.V. and E.S.P.N. Sport. He also starred in the documentary "Riding in Vans With Boys", a full length film about life on the road of an arena tour.
Brandon had fun with the party life style until it finally caught up with him in 2008. He was resistant to recovery in the beginning because he was under the impression that he needed to be "loaded" in order to create good music. Since getting sober, he has spent his time starting a new band, Sister Juanita. His hopes are that this shows artists also struggling with the same impression, that it is possible to be inspired without the use of any substance.
Brandon learned through this struggle that a spiritual life is the groundwork for true creation.
Brandon is a mentor at few different recovery facilities in the San Diego area and for anyone looking to get sober. Brandon's intention is to inspire people with his music and love for a clean life.
Brian Bourke is a singer/songwriter who played with the Bay Area punk rock band Tsunami Bomb. He went to school at Sonoma State University an studied Studio Recording and Radio Broadcasting. Drinking and drugging was part of the lifestyle but eventually caught up to him.
By 2016 Brian had lost everything and found himself living in the hills of Santa Cruz isolated and broken. Brian Reached out for help and found sobriety in San Diego. While in treatment Brian was introduced to Rock To Recovery. Brian committed himself to a life of recovery and a year later Brian had the opportunity to join the Rock To Recovery Crew.
Christian Gibbs has released over 15 albums under monikers such as C. Gibbs, Lucinda Black Bear, and He Arrived by Helicopter. His projects have been praised in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, and other notable media. Gibbs began his professional career at age 21 playing guitar for British 4AD band Modern English. After playing in numerous bands and releasing albums on smaller labels, Gibbs eventually signed a solo deal with Atlantic Records for one album, and has released 11 albums since then. Gibbs also appeared in the Spike Lee film and Broadway Rock Musical Passing Strange. He has opened for/shared the stage with The Pretenders, John Mellencamp, Little Richard, Son Volt, John Doe, Foetus, Dave Vanian (The Damned) and many more and occasionally acts and plays music in theaters across the globe.
In 1999, a high point in his musical career was a low point for Gibbs spiritually. He spent some time in several recovery centers and detoxes. After coming to terms with his alcoholism and addiction in the midst of his first major label release, Gibbs managed to get sober and has been ever since.
Gibbs learned of Rock to Recovery through a friend who worked with them, and soon found himself training to be a program administrator and loving the work. As part of the Rock to Recovery team he also brings songwriting as a part of recovery to mental health facilities, which has a special place in his heart due to the suicide of his mother at an early age who suffered from bi-polar disorder. Gibbs feels very RAD to have his wings with Rock to Recovery and hopes to continue to grow in this new and exciting role as a program administrator, using his experience with sobriety and music in harmony to help others.
Clinton Calton has been part of the Orange County music scene for decades and is most notably known as the guitarist for "O.C. Punk Rock Band, D.I." He has toured extensively, and recorded/produced music with many other artist such as: KMK, Ronnie King, Jack Grisham, Angelo Moore, as well as scoring soundtracks for film.
Job Titles:
- VP of Business Development
Constance Scharff, PhD is an internationally recognized speaker and author on the topics of addiction recovery and mental health. She currently serves Rock to Recovery as VP Business Development and advises the board as Science and Research Chair. Previously, Dr. Scharff was Senior Addiction Research Fellow and Director of Addiction Research for a luxury addiction treatment center based in Malibu, California. She is the 2019 recipient of St. Lawrence University's Sol Feinstone Humanitarian Award, honoring her service to and advocacy for those suffering from mental illness, trauma, and addiction.
Dr. Scharff's writing centers around using complementary health and contemplative practices to improve treatment outcomes. Her latest book, Rock to Recovery: Music as a Catalyst for Human Transformation, written with Rock to Recovery founder Wes Geer, describes the impact songwriting and performance have on mental health. She is also coauthor of the Amazon.com #1 best-selling book, Ending Addiction for Good and the award-winning poetry book Meeting God at Midnight.
Job Titles:
- Advisory Board
- Director MusiCares
Erica Krusen is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She has over 10 years of experience in both private and community settings. Erica is the Senior Director at MusiCares, the charitable arm of The Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs). She maintains a long-term private practice in Malibu where she currently sees individuals, families and couples. She also is a co-founder in CoreAdvantage, a global consulting group that promotes wellness among athletes, executives and entertainers. Erica has presented workshops in a variety of arenas, on a range of topics, as well as being an adjunct professor in the Graduate programs in Psychology at California Lutheran University.
Franky Perez is a singer and guitar player who has had a solo career as well as playing with Apocalyptica and Scars on Broadway. He has also performed with Camp Freddy, Royal Machines, Kings of Chaos, Ducati All-Stars, and Deadland Ritual.
Ian Depew has been playing music since he was 4. He has played in several San Diego bands, including Indigo Mystics, with Rock to Recovery program administrator Brandon Parkhurst. Music is a significant part of Ian's life and recovery.
Ian's recovery journey began in 2000 when he went through the first of 16 treatment centers, fighting heroin addiction for a decade. In 2010, he finally found recovery and went on to found Sober Ranch, a 20-bed, long term, 12-step immersion program on Palomar Mountain. In 2012, he founded West Coast Recovery Centers (WCRC), a 50-bed substance use disorder treatment center committed to traditional and non-traditional forms of recovery. It was at WCRC where he was introduced to Wes Geer and Rock to Recovery. WCRC was the first treatment center in San Diego to bring this dynamic modality to its clientele.
The power that music has to heal emotional, mental, and spiritual maladies is profound. Ian is grateful to be part of the Rock to Recovery family as a program administrator. He has seen the evidence of Rock to Recovery's positive outcomes in hundreds of cases over the last 5 years and has found a home bringing this powerful program to those in need in the San Diego area.
Jeremy "Jermz" Bixler has been playing music his entire life. With a penchant to merge music and mindfulness, Jeremy believes that when combined, the two create a remarkable formula to elevate the spirit and consciousness, process cognitive dissonance, and heal from within.
Since high school, Jeremy has started and fronted many musical acts, from ska to surf-rock and power-pop to metal, and recorded numerous albums.
Clearly Jeremy believes in second chances. His catawampus sojourn through addiction began when he was 21, while attending Pepperdine University, where he was Radio Programming Director. He quickly found that a predisposition to depression and no ability to moderate his drinking were a life-numbing combination. This road led to jails and institutions, including a treatment facility in Michigan followed by a short residency at a meditation center in 2015. He has been sober ever since.
Currently, Jeremy lives the punk rock dream in Portland, Oregon as singer/songwriter/guitar slayer for the band Undude. Undude is at the forefront of the mindful grunge movement in Portland. Jeremy's persistence and passion for helping others using the power of music led him to Rock to Recovery. He is the flagship program administrator for the Pacific Northwest, providing Rock to Recovery's brand of music therapy in Vancouver, Portland and Salem.
Job Titles:
- a & R Production
- Director of Development for the Beacon House
- Director, Crescent Bay Entertainment
Joe Fletcher graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts with a degree in International Economics.
Since graduating Fletcher has produced over 1,000 concerts on four continents and produced shows with Bob Dylan, Beyonce, 311, Elton John, Eminem, BB King, Jason Mraz, Jay Z, Sheryl Crow, Van Halen, Keith Urban, Maroon5, Slipknot, Snoop Dogg, Jackson Browne, Black Eyed Peas, Crosby, Stills & Nash, 50 Cent, Rihanna, Mary J Blige, Allman Brothers, Sammy Hagar, The Roots, John Legend, Boz Scaggs, Lou Reed, Disturbed, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Velvet Revolver, Ray Charles, Ringo Starr, James Brown, Ziggy Marley, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, Train, Gavin DeGraw, Emmylou Harris and many more.
Fletcher has been very active in political fundraising and in March 2012 was appointed to the Entertainment Advisory Council for President Obama. In July 2016 Fletcher produced 6 events at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with artists: Los Lobos, Snoop Dogg, Kesha, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Drive By Truckers and American Authors.
Fletcher is the Talent Producer for L.A. Food & Wine and has booked such headline acts for them including: The Roots, Common, De La Soul, Train and Gavin DeGraw.
Fletcher is also the Director of Development for the Beacon House alcohol & drug recovery center in Pacific Grove and as such has written grants, organized fundraising events and produced concerts to raise funds for the Beacon House including concerts with Vince Gill, Graham Nash, Peter Frampton and the B-52s.
Job Titles:
- Board of Directors
- Chief Marketing Officer of Buckeye Recovery Network
Joey Darby is the Chief Marketing Officer of Buckeye Recovery Network, The Ohio House, The Chadwick House and The Mend of California Detox Center, all located in Orange County, Ca.
Joey has over 7 years working in addiction and mental health treatment, getting his start with Foundations Recovery Network and Universal Health Services. While there he worked to integrate hospitals, who were being overwhelmed with patients coming in for overdose/detox, with substance abuse treatment centers who could properly handle their patients needs and get them started on the road to recovery.
Joey and Wes Geer met at a holiday party in Malibu, realizing they were both huge music fans, talked about how fun it would be to create a big sober concert. What started as a great idea, became a reality a few months later when Wes called Joey and said "I have The Fonda Theatre reserved for Oct 2 nd, are you in?". The Rock to Recovery (concert) was born and the rest is history.
Kendrick Strauch is a musician living in Los Angeles. He was a member of Brooklyn-based indie band Harlem Shakes (Gigantic Records), touring with bands like Vampire Weekend, Tokyo Police Club, and Deerhoof. Kendrick has written and recorded original songs for the DIGS channel and the Elevate theater company. He also earned an undergraduate degree and an MBA from Yale University.
Kendrick has been clean and sober since 2018, and has discovered a newfound purpose playing music with others in recovery. When Kendrick isn't playing music (or "The Floor is Lava" with his two kids), he manages a medical testing site.
Job Titles:
- Board of Directors
- Creative Entertainment Executive
- Entertainment Stagiest Consultant & Press Relations
Keri Ann Kimball is an innovative creative entertainment executive with exceptional business acumen and creative instincts in addition to an extensive network of personal relationships and contacts across all segments of media & entertainment. Kimball Entertainment has a successful track record that includes over 20 years of experience producing film and TV projects, working closely with actors (celebrity & new talent), directors, writers, artists, musicians, and production companies both domestically and internationally. Kimball Entertainment was founded with projects sold or being developed in partnership with Universal Studios, Randy Jackson, Lorenzo Doumani, Demarest Films , Paramount Studios, London Production and Primary Wave. Keri Ann Kimball also founded K-Star PR a Celebrity & Brand Public Relations agency to address the growing need expressed by colleagues and clients for celebrity press relations, product launches, creative campaigns, sponsored events & fundraisers.
In addition to being on the board for Rock for Recovery Keri Ann Kimball is on the board of Beauty Gives Back, (www.BeautyGivesBack.care) and Broadway to the Rescue in Los Angeles (www.BroadwaytotheRescue.com) and The Artist Project www.Artistprojectla.com. She is also an advisor to the Brain Mapping Foundation Board (www.BrainMappingFoundation.org) founded by Dr. Babak Kateb and works closely with Wild Aid (www.wildaid.org).
Kimiko Miller is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has specialized in substance use disorders and mental health issues for a decade. After starting her own healing journey at age 18, Kimiko decided to pursue her passion of helping others and received a Masters of Arts from Fresno Pacific University in 2011. She has extensive training in Expressive Arts Therapy, Psychodrama, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), and love and sex addiction recovery. Kimiko is clinical director for Rising Roads Recovery, a women's treatment facility in Orange County, and has a private practice, helping individuals, couples, and families. Kimiko's belief in somatic release has led to her being a frequent facilitator in experiential workshops, to help individuals find healing through psychodramatic bodywork. Kimiko's experience of helping clients release negative emotions has proven to heal deep-seated trauma, and offers relief to depression and anxiety.
Laura Niedringhaus brings over 12 years of experience working in the non-profit, behavioral health, and addiction sector, and currently serves adolescents and families in treatment to bring awareness and understanding of how mental health and substance use issues coexist. Through her own transformation and journey, which began in treatment in 1995, she came to believe in the process of recovery through helping others, taking one-step-at-a-time, while developing effective coping strategies, combined with a strong spiritual practice to effect lasting change. Previously, Laura held positions as a certified paralegal working in litigation, turn-around management, and investigative firms throughout Orange County and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
Music has always played a significant role in Laura's life. She is passionate to be part of the Rock to Recovery family that has become the voice and outlet for deep emotions to surface and heal through connection and collaboration.
Music has always played a significant role in Laura's life and she is passionate to be part of the Rock to Recovery family that has become the voice and outlet for deep emotions to surface and heal through connection and collaboration.
Matthew has been performing as a singer throughout the Orange County and Los Angeles areas since a young age. Growing up, Matt watched his dad perform as a professional musician and singer in local clubs, and always aspired to be a singer and songwriter. He has been seen on stage at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, The Fringe Festival in Edinburough, Scotland, has fronted several Orange County/Los Angeles-based bands, and has written and recorded multiple albums.
Matt began drinking at the age of 18, and the progression of the disease of alcoholism progressed very quickly. Within the next five years he had gone through rehabs and hospitalizations due to his substance abuse. Through the twelve steps, and the ever present gift of music, Matt was able to find freedom of body, mind, and spirit. He is grateful to have the opportunity to share both music and recovery with others struggling with alcoholism and addiction through Rock to Recovery.
Job Titles:
- Producer
- Program Administrator
Job Titles:
- Board of Directors
- Founder of Fusion Academy
- Founder, Fusion Academy Private School
Michelle Rose Gilman is the Founder of Fusion Academy and Learning Centers, an alternative middle and high school for students who require a radical and revolutionary out-of-the-box learning environment. Fusion Academy currently has 20 campuses located in California, New York, New Jersey and Texas. Michelle has spent the last 25 years educating and mentoring adolescent students, and providing the guidance and support to help them become the best versions of themselves. She brings a wealth of knowledge in mentoring, educating, business practices and passion to Rock to Recovery. Her motto is, "changing the world, one person at a time".
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Advisory Board
- CEO, Ride or Cry, Founder, Emo Nite
Morgan is the Co-Founder of several companies mainly relating to music and entertainment. Focusing everywhere from digital strategy to activations to commercials to full scale tours. Morgan has been heavily involved with the sober community for over 10 years. Morgan helped start Community Meeting to bring awareness into nightlife culture for youths.
"Before getting sober, all I knew how to do was to get f@$%ed up and play in bands. After getting sober, I realized I didn't know if I would be able to play/perform not under the influence, because I never tried. I conquered that fear and realized not only is it better but I found the ability to connect with people much differently and in a more positive space. I also found out that I like being behind the scenes (directing, festival/even planning, artist creative direction) as much as I like being on stage. I think that Rock to Recovery is a fantastic tool to help people that were just like me and beyond. My main focus for being on the board is to present R2R to a culture/s that might not have the opportunity see it. By using my companies as platforms to reach a different audience I believe I can bring fresh ideas and help to carve out new ideas from older ones. My main goal is to help people as much as I can with what I'm given, so I'm proud to be a part of Rock to Recovery!"
Paul Moen has over 14 years of experience working in the drug and alcohol recovery field. He's currently the CEO of Balboa Horizons, a chemical dependency treatment center located in Orange County, CA. Paul started out in the music scene as a club promoter and band manager, and met Wesley when he was touring with Hed P.E.
Moen ended up in rehab in 1999 and once sober he started running a sober living home of his own.
Wesley told Paul about his ideas for Rock to Recovery and Paul was on board immediately. Music is what helped both Wesley and Paul get through and maintain sobriety.
He is proud to be a Board Member with Writers in Treatment, a non-profit organization that supports men and women in the writing industry who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction and other self-destructive behaviors. He is also an active member of the Surfrider Foundation, a volunteer with the Secret Angel Foundation. As a passionate advocate for those in recovery and the power of music to transform, Paul is extremely proud to be on the Board of Directors and looks forward to Rock to Recovery's future.
Job Titles:
- Founding Member
- Program Administrator
Phil is a founding member of the major label band Ingram Hill, who in the early to late 2000's toured with Hootie & the Blowfish, Maroon 5, Gavin Degraw, Better Than Ezra and many other large headline acts. The band boasts two Top 40 hits on Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary radio airplay charts as well song placements in three major motion pictures: 13 Going On 30, Raising Helen, and Herbie Fully Loaded. The band performed on many local and regional tv shows and also had a national performance on Jimmy Kimmel's late night show.
Job Titles:
- Board of Directors
- Founder and CEO of 30 Miles North Public Relations
Priscilla Vento is the Founder and CEO of 30 Miles North Public Relations (30MN). 30MN was founded in 2008 and specializes in entertainment, lifestyle, and technology communications and media relations. With more than a decade of experience managing local, national, and international publicity campaigns that capture and engage both B2B and B2C audiences, Priscilla strives to continuously reinvent creative ways to encompass both brand and audience in order to provide unique and impactful PR campaigns. Priscilla is a firm believer that every professional should involve themselves in philanthropy, if even in a small way. She has worked with non-profits including Rock to Recovery, the Adopt the Arts Foundation, and Girls in Tech. Her mission is to keep it fresh, creative and thoughtful, in work, play, and everyday life!
In his 20s, Rick Barnes was an actor in New York, doing commercials, TV, and a lot of drugs. His addiction obliterated the professional path he was on. He got sober in 1991, at age 28. After getting sober, Rick got into film production and music videos, eventually becoming an Assistant Director. In 2001, as the rock ‘n roll music video business was drying up, Rick became a Recovery Coach and has held that position since.
Because of his experience in film and music, helping artists was a perfect match for Rick. He has coached some of the biggest stars in both arenas. Going on movie locations and traveling on music tours, Rick has been instrumental in helping many artists achieve sober, creative lives.
Although he is not a musician, music has always been a medicine for Rick, and he is honored to be a part of Rock to Recovery. Rick sits on the board of the Rock to Recovery nonprofit and advises the team at R2R Companions, where he is a lead trainer.
Sabrina is a native to Northern California and has been living in San Francisco since 2006. She was raised with an appreciation for music, showing a passion for it at an early age. As a teenager, Sabrina discovered her love of songwriting. and has been performing and producing music ever since. In 2018 she released a full-length album as a solo artist under her alias Ponyskull. She also sings and plays keys/synths in the San Francisco-based heavy rock band, TREASVRE. After years of struggling with alcoholism and finally hitting a rock bottom that threatened everything, including her band, Sabrina embarked on her recovery journey on December 4 th, 2019. In her sobriety, she has found that music plays a key role in helping her regulate and process emotions that she used to try to escape when she was active in her addiction. The moment she heard about Rock To Recovery, she knew she wanted to be a part of it, to help bring the psychological benefits of playing music to people in early recovery.
Job Titles:
- CEO Down to Earth Business Management
Sharon D. Gilday, CPA, is a graduate of California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Upon graduation, Sharon joined a Beverly Hills CPA firm, and in her second year, she joined the Entertainment Division of the firm. In 1991 she left with one of the Business Managers from the Entertainment Division to start a new firm. In 1994, Sharon decided to start her own Business Management Company. Sharon has experience in tax and accounting for Individuals, Partnerships, Corporations, LLC's and Trusts. Sharon has developed an expertise in the area of music touring, on a national and international level, as well as consulting for many types of small and medium size businesses to further their growth.
Job Titles:
- Advisory Board
- Founder, President and CEO of Givsum
Shawn Wehan is the Founder, President and CEO of Givsum, a universal philanthropic platform designed to be the "giving summary" of individuals, charities and businesses' social impact. Alongside Givsum, he is the National Director of the Future Leaders of Our Community, a young professional organization aimed at building the bridge between the nonprofit world and the Millennial Generation. Shawn earned his B.A. in Communications from Seattle University and his M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley.
Job Titles:
- Board of Directors
- Founder and Managing Partner of CRF Capital
Silas E. Burke is the Founder and Managing Partner of CRF Capital, a Santa Monica based commercial real estate consulting and investment banking firm that transacts actively throughout the United States and Canada. Aside from his professional endeavors in the CRE capital markets, Mr. Burke has been a consistent supporter of Los Angeles area recovery programs and the performing arts community that so often merges with it. Coming from an East Coast family with a long history of both active addiction and successful sobriety / recovery, Silas has been on the frontlines of the disease for nearly three decades. Mr. Burke maintains the highest level of appreciation and respect for organizations such as Rock to Recovery that offer unique and compassionate solutions and treatment to those who suffer from addiction and disorders associated with adolescent trauma and adult PTSD. S.E. Burke graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he also earned an approved minor in psychology and was an All Atlantic 10 Conference selection for the Minuteman Football squad. He currently resides in Santa Monica, CA.
Job Titles:
- Program Administrator
- Secretary
- NPO Brand Ambassador
Sonny Mayo started his professional music career in 1995 with the band Snot (Geffen Records) and, in 1998, went on to play in the band Amen (Virgin, Roadrunner Records). Having been in rehab as a teenager, Sonny continued to struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction while touring the world and writing/recording albums. On occasion he was issued ultimatums from his fellow band mates, which would bring brief periods of abstinence, but would inevitably lead to another relapse. Spiraling ever downward, Sonny hit bottom in late 2001.
Desperate for sobriety, Sonny sought and received the help he needed in 12 Step fellowships. In January 2002, with less than 30 days sober, he went on his first clean/sober tour in Australia, where Sonny attended 12 Step meetings and began laying the foundation for a whole new experience as a professional musician, and has maintained sobriety ever since.
In late 2002 he joined his friend, Wes Geer, as a touring guitarist in the band (hed)P.E. and, in 2005, joined the band Sevendust (TVT, Warner/Asylum Records).
Stephanie Hunt is a lifelong resident and realtor in Portland, Oregon. She combines a thorough knowledge of the Portland Metro area, 15+ years in the industry and a dedicated work ethic to help both buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals, plans and dreams.
Growing up in and around addiction, abuse, trauma and codependency, Stephanie has always turned to the healing powers of music and meditation to help see her through. At the age of 28, Steph was diagnosed with Stage 3 metastatic melanoma and has spent the last 20+ years living life to the fullest, grateful for every day and bringing education and awareness to the dangers associated with melanoma.
Job Titles:
- Program Administrator
- Founder - President