Mark Frese - Guitar & Vocals
A Northern California native raised in the 70's, cutting his chops during the most imaginative and artistically fertile time in rock music history, Mark Frese has been writing and performing original music and scouring north state theaters, clubs and honky-tonks for over 30 years. Making his mark from the Bay Area to Southern Oregon and everywhere in between, playing in bands such as Suspect, Storm Front, Pi, Jane Jones, Mojo Child, The Spyderz, The Mondayz, Sugar and currently The Stone Hearts.
"Be groovy or leave, man." ~Bob Dylan
Demetra Frese - Lead Vocals & Keyboard
"You can bend but never break me, 'cause it only serves to make me more determined to achieve my final goal and I come back even stronger, not a novice any longer." ~Helen Reddy
Demetra Frese, singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, CA, holds a degree in vocal performance and studied voice at the University of the Pacific Conservatory in Stockton, CA. She has performed in opera and professional music theater productions. Her musical tastes evolved over the years, to include a little bit of everything. "Don't let this girl fool you", says Eddie Sadler of Sadler Audio Visual Entertainment, Cold Sweat and the Cascade Theatre. "She's as sassy as they come!" It's rumored that Demetra was almost kicked off a school bus at the tender age of four, for singing The Charlie Daniels Band "Devil Went Down To Georgia." She has a sultry R&B/Rock voice, an infectious stage persona and has fronted many bands including Downtown, Loose Arrow, Full Tilt, The Spyderz, The Mondayz, Sugar and currently The Stone Hearts.
"I came across Demetra at a wine maker's dinner at Indian Peak Vineyards and have been a fan since. I have heard her sing different music with different bands from sultry blues to Broadway ...in Rock of Ages, a production where her voice far surpassed that of her counterparts. She not only has a marvelous voice but is an exquisite and beautiful lady both inside and out. Rock on young lady!" ~ Christine Sullivan
Rich Allen - Drums & Vocals
Rich Allen began his lifelong musical journey sitting at a piano. His piano teacher's son was a jazz drummer and had a kit set up in the practice space. As Rich's brother would take his turn at the keys, Rich would sit at the drum kit wishing he could play drums instead of piano. Eventually the drums won out and the rest is history. Listing his influences as his father and Neil Peart, Rich has kept Swiss clock timing in many top shelf bands over the years.
"We're only immortal for a limited time." ~Neil Peart
Ashley Black - Lead Vocals & Keyboard
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” ~Jim Elliot
Ashley Black started singing with her mom at the early age of 4 at church and community events. Her mother was a big factor in her musical inspiration and early beginning.
Through the years Ashley learned to play several instruments, and she played in a few bands in the Midwest before moving to California.
She eventually put together her “one-woman band” solo set up, and performed primarily solo for years until joining The Stone Hearts.
Rick Hutchinson - Bass Guitar & Vocals
Rick Hutchinson was born in New York and started playing bass as a teenager in New Jersey. He has performed and recorded with bands in the Midwest in the 70s, the San Francisco Bay Area in the 90s, and in Northern California since 2011. Rick enjoys the creative aspects of songwriting, collaborating, and working with The Stone Hearts.
"Even castles made of sand, fall into the sea, eventually." ~Jimi Hendrix