R&B, BLUES, AND CLASSIC ROCK
About Us
LOCATED IN SOUTH CAROLINA's LOW COUNTRY, Still kickin’ is A group of passionate musicians dedicated to DELIVERING quality live shows. We specialize IN A VARIETY OF R&B, BLUES AND CLASSIC ROCK FROM THE 60'S, 70'S AND 80'S.
Band Members Left to Right
- Bill Filson - Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Keyboards
- Thom Alexander - Guitar, Vocals
- Chuck Russell - Drums
- Mark Sturgis - Bass Guitar, Vocals
- John Southworth - Keyboards, Vocals, Harmonica
- Former Band Members: Steve Cotterman - Guitar
Fran Hart - Keyboards
Who We Are at Still Kickin'
BILL FILSON
Bill is the founder and leader of the STILL KICKIN’ Band. He is lead singer and also plays harmonica and keyboard. It’s funny how music hit Bill between the eyes and went straight to his heart. He lived a simple country life in Tennessee and when he was 16, school had closed for the day due to snow. He was headed to a local frozen pond to go ice skating with a neighborhood friend. His friend brought a radio with him and when he turned it on, Little Richard was singing “Good Golly Miss Molly”. He had never heard anything like that before and was hooked for life. He just had to be a part of this thing called music. It took him 2 years to save enough money for his first Hagstrom bass. With a little help from his friends, he became good enough to play in his first band, the Classic Four. After that he played in several bands until he landed in a show band out of Nashville, The Chessmen. He was with that band for 7 years. At this point his children were getting older and needed Dad at home more so he switched gears to song writing. His songwriting and vocal abilities got him a recording contract with a small label and a regular spot on WSM’s early morning tv show (hosted by Ralph Emery) which also helped launch the career of fellow performers, The Judd’s. That experience connected him to a publisher who in turn got some of his songs cut by artists such as Nu-Blu (Without a Kiss), Joe Schmidt, (Overtime), Da’ Kingfish Band (It’s Alright), Angela Oliver (You Saved Me) and Victoria Eman (Now It’s Love). Bill acknowledges that God has blessed him richly as all these years later (he is 80 years young) he is still able to sing and play. Bill and I both feel very blessed to be a part of this wonderful community. This band has been the best thing to happen. Bill had concluded that his days in music were over but after missing it, decided to try to put a band together for fun. It has evolved into something greater than he could ever imagine. He has made great friendships and loves sharing the stage with these talented musicians, as well as playing for such a wonderful, appreciative audience here in Margaritaville. Plans are to be Still KICKIN’ for this community until he can’t kick no more. Thank you LMHH for your love and support!
TOM ALEXANDER
Tom is Lead Guitar Extraordinaire and Vocals. Thom is a lifelong musician that began on stage in 1969 in California. To his credit he has shared the stage with members of Jefferson Airplane, The Heartbreakers, The Tubes, Country Joe and the Fish, Moby Grape and The Faces just to name a few. He has toured all over the United States and opened for Tom Petty, The Ramones, The Flamin Groovies, George Thorogood and others. He founded the very first American Roots Music School in Kansas and still teaches today at a Bluffton music store. He holds a Masters Degree from Kansas University. Thom loves his wife Kim and his family, expensive scotch, telecasters, box amps and the STILL KICKIN’ band, in which he serves as Music Director. Thank you Thom for sharing your extraordinary talents. We may be aging but we’re STILL KICKIN!
JOHN SOUTHWORTH
John plays keyboard, harmonica and vocals. John was born in Liverpool and after being all over the world (including 14 years in Canada) he has lived in the United States for the last 25 years. He left the UK at the age of 28 and if I had to bet, I would say John is finished with moving. That is a star in the crown of the band because John has played piano/keyboards all of his adult life. The band was short a key board player and thanks to a chair and two wives (a long story), STILL KICKIN’ has its newest member. John is a very talented keyboardist and vocalist, plus you will hear him blow a mean harmonica from time to time. John founded an Elton John Tribute Band while in Arizona where he took on the main role of Elton, bright colored suits, funky glasses, crazy hats and all! He and his lovely wife Ally are building a home in Margartaville and hope to close in December of this year. Welcome aboard John, you’re poised to play for the most wonderful audience anywhere - The Latitude Community! Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us.
CHARLES RUSSELL (CHUCK)
Chuck is our Drummer. Chuck started playing drums in 1967 while in high school in New Jersey. A year later he moved to NC and landed a drummer position with an established group called Stonehedge. They were awarded a contract with Hit Attractions (which is now East Coast Productions) and played venues all up and down the Carolina coast. After his time with Stonehedge, he found himself in and out of several bands playing just about every genre of music (except disco). One of those bands called themselves LD-50 and was made up of 2 ER doctors, an ER nurse and Chuck, a paramedic - and get this…….they played a whole lot of “Rush”. Today Chuck is a polished diamond of a drummer, a freight train of beats and rolls second to none. He and his wife Judy reside here in Margaritaville and STILL KICKIN' is proud he has chosen to share his awesome talent with us here in Paradise.
MARK STURGIS
Mark is the bass player/sound engineer. Mark’s original hometown was Augusta, GA however he has lived in 5 European countries, 8 states and now calls Margaritaville home. He was 16 when he bought his first guitar and fell in love with music, especially 70’s Rock and the Blues. Like the rest of the band members, Mark has been playing practically all his life. He did however choose a different musical path and did not hit the club stages early on. He preferred to hone his skills in a more private manner. He chose to serve his country and started his career in the USAF (where he met his wife Laura Sturgis) followed by a career in Network and Optical Transport Engineering. Make no mistake though, he was playing that guitar the entire time. Mark is not the bragging kind so the following statements are made by the bands founder Bill Filson: “Mark is one of the kindest, most giving, modest, humble, honest, talented and intelligent guys I have ever had the pleasure of calling a friend. Mark is a very gifted musician and plays that Fender jazz bass guitar like he was born with it in his hands.” Mark is the bands sound engineer. The band is very fortunate to have Mark, a man supported 100% by his lovely wife Laura.