Aaron Fitzgerald
Gene Schott
Scott Amundson
Paige Peterson
Dan Barrett
Marcus Padilla
Jon Wheeler
Justin Fox
Michael Robinson

AARON FITZGERALD

LEAD GUITAR, VOCALS

 

Born in the Lone Star State, this degreed Electrical engineer is a collector of “not so fine musical instruments”, barnyard animals, and anything that runs on diesel. His 342 rating on the cylinder index is offset by his ability to play several instruments including electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, kazoo, and anything that smells like oranges. It is rumored that he was even once spotted squeaking out a G major-ish scale on a saxophone.

 

In a previous life, Aaron played both “on the road” and with various regional acts including Skyward, Vienna, Shrimp Basket and Fraidee Kat, to name a few. He has decided to come out of musical retirement and is a founding member of Street Talk.

GENE SCHOTT

BASS GUITAR, VOCALS

 

Gene Schott has been playing bass for over 30 years and has been in numerous bands all over the US. He has shared the stage with Quiet Riot, Skid Row, Slaughter, Stephen Pearcy and Firehouse, among others during his illustrious career.

 

Gene was part of the Cities scene in the early 90’s, routinely playing at the Mirage, Iron Horse and Sharkey’s. Gene is also active in music writing and composing. Gene is not only fluent on the bass guitar, but can also play guitar, keys, cello, standup bass, and violin. Gene also plays an important part in our vocal stylings.  In addition, Gene has been a music teacher for the past 17 years, currently working in Austin and living in Owatonna, MN.

SCOTT AMUNDSON

DRUMMER, VOCALS

 

Scott started his drumming career on a wood and rubber practice block given to him by his mother after joining the 5th grade school band. Throughout his high school years, he chose to play in working weekend bands instead of participating in any kind of sports.

 

Many part time weekend bands and Moose Clubs later, Scott landed his first full time gig working with a traveling 50’s band called the Cruisers (Bus and Everything!). After that great experience, Scott joined a band called Rapid Fire and went on to win second place in a battle of the bands contest at the St. Paul Civic Center in the early 80’s.

 

Over the years, Scott went on to perform and play with many MN Regional Groups and formed working bands such as Brooklyn and Chaser. He has had the privelege to play with some extremely talented musicians which is still the case today.

 

Scott is very pleased to have been asked to be a part of the band Street Talk and enjoys the talent, professionalism and diversity the group has to offer.

PAIGE PETERSON

LEAD VOCALS, KEYS, PERCUSSION

 

Paige has been singing in front of an audience since age 2 when she sang her first solo in church.  Since then music has always been a huge part of her life, from being a part of All State groups in high school , to singing in a family band,  Paige grew up in the small farming community of East Chain, Minnesota, and was very active in high school sports and select music groups, both vocally and instrumentally.

 

Paige graduated from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with a major in Music Education, and has been teaching music to K-12 grades students since 1991.

 

During college Paige was a member of Concert Band, Concert Choir, Women’s Choir and a founding member of A Capella group “First Impression”.  She currently sings in her church’s worship team and enjoys performing with her 2 daughters.

 

Paige lives in Owatonna, MN, where she teaches K-5 Elementary Music at McKinley Elementary STEM School, and directs the 4th and 5th grade choir.

 

“Music isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am!”

 

DAN BARRETT

LEAD KEYS, VOCALS

 

Dr. Dan was born in North Saint Paul, the 11th of 13 children, where all the girls were required to take piano lessons so he got an early start. Birth order “sandwiched” between 2 younger and 3 older girls, the family’s baby grand was always being used. He learned to play by ear and by 6 could play what he heard on the TV or radio.

 

Beginning with a high school basement band, he supported himself through music for 10 years until he returned to college to become a chiropractor. At that time, marriage, kids and professional life demanded a sabbatical from rock and roll.

 

Now, with kids in their 20’s, the practices doing well, it’s time to get back to his roots. He still lives in the Twin Cities with his wife, Juli, who has been along for the whole ride.

 

MARCUS PADILLA

LEAD SINGER, KEYS, GUITAR:

 

Marcus grew up in a small town called Canby where he was on the State Championship Wrestling Team.  That’s also where he started his love of music.  He’s been singing, writing and playing music since he was in his early teens.  He has a Bachelor of Music from MSU—Moorhead, MN.

 

Marcus has been in A Cappella groups, Jazz Choirs, Concert Choirs, Church Choirs, Funk and Rock and Roll bands.  In college he formed an original band called Silicon Monkey and recorded an album called Future Funk. He also performed in a local dueling piano group called Mischief and Mayhem for about 10 years with his partner in crime Jonny Bird. He currently resides in Lakeville, MN.

 

JON WEELER

KEYBOARDIST/VOCALS

Jon has been involved with music for over 50 years, starting with piano lessons and singing at the tender age of 5. Having grown up in a musical family, Jon has been blessed with the rare ability to play almost any song by ear.

Growing up throughout his childhood and attending school in the small town of Wadena, Minnesota, he was actively involved in various music projects, especially junior and senior high school band and choir. He even played drums for the high school stage band. As Jon continued his education, he moved to Northwestern College to pursue a degree in Music Performance. After his college education, he joined the Twin cities live music scene and has been involved in bands for the past 30 years. He is also a die-hard Journey fan.

His past musical projects include Arch Allies, Brat Pack Radio, Platinum FM, and Eclipse, a Journey tribute based out of Texas. He has now rejoined Street Talk after a brief hiatus. He also teaches piano in his spare time to children and adults and is a part-time salaried church organist.

JUSTIN FOX

VIDEOTECH/CREW

Justin is one of our Street Talk’s most valuable, hardworking, and dedicated crew members.

His childhood was filled with a wide variety of music that he still enjoys listening to today. When he was older, he worked as a DJ for bars and weddings. Upon discovering Street Talk, he was blown away by their music. He couldn’t turn down the offer to be a crew member. As his fiancée Tonya said, you’re in your element. He has progressed from a regular crewperson to our video technician. He runs our video and digital screens.

In his spare time, Justin is out chasing storms, playing pool, hanging out with family and friends, and listening to music.

MICHAEL ROBNSON

CREW

Michael, ‘Mike,’ Robinson. Mike is one of our valuable, hard-working crew members who was born, raised, and still lives in Faribault, MN. The band jokes with him because he is small but mighty. Mike is passionate about his family and his soon-to-be wife, Megan. In addition to hunting, fishing, and playing in the mud, he is outgoing and likes to be active. Additionally, he is the loving father of a 14-year-old boy with autism.

He is hearing impaired and fluent in sign language. He has two brothers and a fiancé with hearing impairments. He works at C&S Vending. His goal is to raise awareness that deaf people are just as capable as hearing people and should be treated equally.