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Bill Pritchett, Trumpet

Bill Pritchett is a Music Major Graduate of Ball State University with a BS in '76 and an MA in '81.  He is a trumpet student of Larry McWilliams.  Bill has been on the staff for the Birch Creek Summer Jazz Camp in Door County, Wisconsin; the Purdue University Summer Jazz Camp; the Mid-America Summer Jazz Camp at Ball State University, and has directed the New Jazz Publications reading band at the Indiana Music Educator Association's State Conference.  Bill has appeared with the Temptations, Spinners, Jackson 5, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, and Manhattan Transfer. Bill contracts and conducts a number of different groups in Central Indiana, including Jazz Trios, Quartets, and the 9-piece "Great Sax Orchestra", a society band/ballroom dance band that includes a "Tribute to Frank Sinatra".  The "Delaware Brass" is another group under Bill's direction, a brass quintet that plays many ceremonial events and weddings in the Indianapolis/East Central Indiana area.  He is the Director of Bands for the award winning Muncie Central High School Instrumental Music Program.  Since 2005, he has been the Music Director of "Indy Showtime Brass", appearing at every home game for the Indianapolis Colts and for special Indiana Pacers games. 

Clay Arnett, Vocals and Trombone

Having studied piano since the early 70's, music has held an everlasting attraction to Clay. While originally a classically trained percussionist, "H." constantly brings light to his immeasurable versatility. Featured in Souled Out as a lead vocalist, you will hear Clay sing everything from James Brown to Michael Buble. You may also find Clay reaching for various percussion instruments, as well as trombone.

With strong Jazz influences such as, Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, and Red Novarro, you might also see Clay burning up the bars of his favorite instrument: Vibraphone.

It is this flexibility and virtuosity that continues to make Clay in such great demand. Some of the artists "H." has appeared with include: The Temptations, Tom "Bones" Malone (David Letterman), Al Grey, Jon Faddis, Ed Soph, John Hamilton, and of course, the great Lonnie Lester.

When not playing music, Clay is teaching high school and middle school band and is currently the Director of Bands at Northside Middle School in Muncie, Indiana. He holds degrees in both Music Education and Secondary Education and has been teaching for 11 years. His hobbies include biking, riding his Harley Davidson Electra Glide, reading, and golfing. Clay is the proud father of Hayley, 3 and Hayden, 6. He is married to his college sweetheart, Carey. They recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary.

In 2001 while sitting outside of a restaurant at King's Island, Bill and Clay exchanged these now famous words.... "Let's start a band!"  Little did we know at the time what a great thing SOB would turn out to be and how blessed we both would be to have such great musicians working with us.  The thing we appreciate most about our guys is what great people they are and how they handle themselves.  Musically, professionally, and personally, our guys are simply the best in the business.  We love them all and are so proud to have them with SOB.  When you spend as much time together as we do we really get to know each other.  We want everyone to know what great people we have to work with and how much we appreciate them!

Allen "Turk" Burke, Lead Singer

Lead Singer, Allen Burke, is bringing years of study, exposure, and experience to this latest renovation of the Souled Out Band. After starting to play piano by ear at the age of five, Allen began formal music studies, at age seven, on piano and trumpet at the Jordan College of Music at Butler University.

He is a multi-talented musician whose God given unique playing style and vocal range opened incredible opportunities for him to work closely with many talented artists, and various national and international recording stars. Too numerous to mention each one, however, notable names include Fresh, Fingers, Burke & Taylor, Patti Labelle, The Drifters, Dionne Warrick, The Supremes, Patrice Rushen, the late great Motown legend, Marvin Gaye, and 30 years with Atlantic Recording stars, The Spinners. Allen's tenure with The Spinners included 23 years as their Musical Director.

As The Spinners' MD, Allen has toured world wide, playing, conducting and singing in the top venues and most popular TV shows of the last three decades. Memorable national tours include The Motown Legends, Dick Clark's American Bandstand 35 Year Anniversary Tour, the Blue Note Jazz Clubs in Japan, the first Black promoted tour in post-apartheid South Africa, and the once-in-a-lifetime, Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden. This 12-hour bonanza included just about every star that was ever on Atlantic Records and was shown in its entirety on HBO and later reduced to 3 hours on ABC Television.

Other highlights for Allen, while with The Spinners, were performances at the Olympic Games in both Los Angeles and Atlanta, multiple appearances on "Good Morning America", "The Today Show", "The Tonight Show", Arsenio Hall's "Late Show", "Saturday Night Live", and The White House. Allen also performed, separately, with The Spinners, and with Marvin Gaye on both "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" and Burt Sugarman's "The Midnight Special". Allen arranged and recorded a Spinners demo of a song, written by movie producer, Mel Brooks, that later became the title song for his hit movie, "SPACEBALLS". While doing a series of Symphonic Pop Concerts with The Spinners, Allen brought soulful roots to the Symphony Orchestras of Dallas, Alabama, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Allen is fortunate to have a hand-written musical arrangement of a Spinners' medley of hits on display in the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum" in Cleveland, Ohio.

After retiring in 2002 from touring with The Spinners, Allen accepted the honor of being Director of Music Ministries at Speedway United Methodist Church. On Sunday morning, you can find Allen conducting, playing and singing for his home congregation. Many familiar hymns are given new life with updated rhythms and instrumentation to appeal to audiences of every age. Fellow musicians are invited as guest artists to add to an already joyful and dedicated choir, bell choir and praise band to glorify our Lord. Agreeing with his mother's long time motto, "children are our greatest dividends, Allen is known as "Mr. Allen" to his pre-k and kindergarten students at Speedway United Methodist Child Care, where he has taught since 2005. In 2006, he was the Musical Director for the highly acclaimed Indianapolis stage production of "DREAMGIRLS".

Allen's first choices for any available time is "to do absolutely anything, or nothing at all, with my very own dream girls, my wife, Melanie, and daughters, Niki and Lydia", and visit grown son, Chris, and his wife and growing family. A special, recent musical highlight was the opportunity for Burke & Taylor, the two man unit that Allen had with drummer, vocalist, and friend, Russell Taylor, to perform with, and be featured guest artists with the internationally recognized, Indianapolis Childrens Choir to standing ovations in Miami and Indianapolis. This was especially rewarding because daughters, Niki and Lydia are singers in this very select choir.

Allen is very thankful for each artist God has given him the opportunity to perform with.  Strong faith and these experiences help to mold him into the musician he is today, and more importantly, the one he is to become.

Mike “Big Daddy” Ryan, Saxophone

A native “Hoosier,” Mike Ryan grew up in South Bend, Indiana.   After high school he attended Ball State University where he received a B.A. and M.A. in Elementary Education and minored in “Road Music.”  Mike has been an educator and musician for over 40 years.   He taught 4-6 grade and was a Principal for 33 years in Muncie.    Mike’s musical career has spanned over 37 years with many bands; The Teen Tones, The Other Five, Decembers Children, Walking Catfish, and Poppa Jazz.  Mike has also opened for the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, Cream, The Who, Janis Joplin, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, The Hollies, B.B. King, and the Beach Boys. He has also recorded with RCA and Chess Records.  Mike is a vocalist and instrumentalist, playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophone.

Besides music, Mike is a family man. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Cathi, and has one son, Michael.  He believes in giving back to the community. He has participated in many fund-raisers for American Cancer Society, NAACP, Red Cross, and the Muncie Children’s Museum.  As a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, he constantly donates his talents to raise funds to promote academic excellence nationwide.

Mike loves playing alto, tenor and baritone with SOB.  He is a wonderful asset to the band.    

Benjamin Williams, Drums

Growing up in church playing gospel, the drum set has been a spiritual calling for Williams.  From his home church in South Bend, Jamin went on to perform in several groups such as: Midnight Joe & The Moonlight, Chicago Joe Jones, Spoonful, The Bob Eichhorn Band, JMX, Muncie Alliance Church Worship, and the Ball State Jazz Combo.  Heavily laden with the influences of John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, and Ginger Baker; Williams brings a smooth yet thunderous groove to the Souled Out Band that is tasty, solid, and in the pocket.

L.J. Mechem, Piano

Played piano since the age of 5. Formal instruction for 12 years. Minor in Music at BSU. Played professionally for 35 years. Jazz influence stylings. Also performs with known area band "LJ and the ALLSTARS". Owner of LM Straps, largest guitar strap manufacturer in the United States. LM distributes straps world-wide as well as the OEM manufacturer for such companies as Fender, Gibson, Martin, Peavey, PRS and many more.

Dave Wisler, Trumpet

Music has always been an important part of life for David Wisler.  The son of a piano and voice teacher, he started music lessons at age 3, and at 5, he began studying the trumpet.  At age 13, he started playing in jazz bands and orchestras and has been doing so ever since.  Always striving for excellence, Dave has become an excellent performer in solo, orchestral, jazz, and commercial idioms.  Over the years, Dave has performed and recorded with such artists as: Dianne Schur, Marvin Hamlisch, Misha Dichter, Byron Stripling, Wycliff Gordon, Frank Mantooth, Sandi Patty, and Ray Boltz.  With extensive performances  across the US, Dave has also played throughout Europe, including the Montreaux and North Sea jazz festivals.  Dave has a BA from Anderson University (95), an MM from Bowling Green State University (99), and is currently completing a Doctor of Arts from Ball State.

Jeff Farber, Bass, Vocals

Jeff has been playing bass and singing for 20 years. He enjoys playing a variety of musical styles from rock, funk and jazz to reggae and world music... Any music that features creative, imaginative and aggressive bassists! Jaco, Tony Levin and Sting rank at the top of Jeff's list of influences.

From the Jam Band artistry of the Stonepickers to the progressive metal of Burst of Reality to the R&B funk of Souled Out, Jeff has applied his musical stamp to a variety of local bands.

Jeff has been busy teaching Art at Northside Middle School for the past seven years. Jeff also teaches fly-fishing and fly tying at Ball State University where he is currently working on his Masters Degree in painting. In his free time, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife Shannon, art, traveling, camping, reading, movies and fly-fishing.

Jeff Gardner, Guitar and Vocals

A veteran touring and studio musician, J.T. has a lengthy resume that includes studio and live production, and of course performance.  Over the years he has done thousands of studio sessions, toured the country both as a musician and a sound technician.  He had performed with regional acts such as The Jubal Band, Light, Pedaler, The Persuaders, and the Walking Catfish - and toured with recording artist Rachel Sweet. While his taste in music covers all genres, his rhythmic style fits best in a funk / R&B setting.  When not on stage with S.O.B. he stays busy as Director of Technical Training for CEDIA, and the father of four daughters.

Al Shikaly, Woodwinds and Vocals

Al Shikaly joins the Souled Out Band as the latest addition - Al will be the new Tenor Saxophone player, making the SOB Horn Section 5 strong! Al is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music where he studied all woodwinds, keyboards, composition and arranging with Joe Viola, Charlie Mariano, Gary Burton, and Herb Pomeroy.

Al has performed with:
1975-1979 Tito Puente Orchestra
1980-1986 World tours with Spinners, Temptations, Melba Moore, Tavares, Lou Rawls
1986-1997 Boca Raton, Florida Symphonic Pops: Al has also performed with Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jack Jones, Marvin Hamlisch, Tony Bennett, Maureen McGovern, Freddie Hubbard, and Lionel Hampton.

From 1988 to today, Al has owned and operated the S.E.A. Coast Band and S.E.A. Coast Music, Inc. In 2001 he released the CD entitled S.E.A. Wind - "Out of the Blue". He also has extensive private teaching and woodwind clinician experience. Al has also played the Broadway Shows West Side Story, Grease, Fiddler On The Roof, Dream Girls, Swingin' On A Star, My Favorite Year, Sweet Charity, and the movie, Cocoon 2-The Return.

Will Frazier, Trombone

Trombonist Will Frazier has performed with Souled Out for over a year. In addition to Souled Out, Will also performs as a freelance jazz trombonist and bassist throughout the state of Indiana. Will has a Masters Degree in trombone performance from Ball State University, where he also earned his Bachelors Degree in Music Education. While at Ball State, Will directed the Studio Jazz Ensemble and combo program, taught private trombone and jazz improvisation, and coordinated the annual Dimensions in Jazz Festival. Will performed with the national tour of Oliver the Musical, a European tour of A Chorus Line, My Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, Lorna Luft, Dom Deluise, the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, the Eddy Howard Orchestra, the Ted Weems Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Wayne Bergeron, Chuck Findley, Michael Davis, Andy Martin and Marcus Printup. While living in New York City, Will performed in numerous big bands, orchestras, brass quintets and show bands. Will also did tours with Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.