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Mark Cooper: Lead Guitar / Vocal
Mark started playing at age 12 with a borrowed guitar from his father. A Cincinnati native, he’s played locally and nationally from coffee bars to arenas. After returning home from a few years in Colorado he helped form the band Pay the Girl with vocalist/songwriter Jason Allen Phelps. After being signed by TVT records and Warner/Chappell, Pay the Girl released their self titled debut record in 2003. It was recorded at London Bridge Studio in Seattle and produced by Rik Parashar who’s recordings helped frame the soundtrack of the 90’s and early 2000’s. The record charted three songs in Billboards top 100 ,one of which was featured in the movie “Swimfan” and netted an opening slot with Shakira touring on her multi-platinum offering “Laundry Service”. After PTG, Mark worked with Columbus, OH based band Introspect eventually releasing the record Evolutionary. Mark met Dan Hunt and Ryan Simpson in 2015 when invited to join their project Highway Radio, which subsequently released their own self titled record in 2016.
In his free time: Mark likes to travel, drink wine, misplay a golf ball and plot out harmless, yet confusing scenarios for his fiancé’s cat.
Ryan Simpson: Drums / Keyboard / Vocal
Growing up in Germantown, Oh, Ryan started drumming at age 11. He was musically influenced by his father's taste which was thick in prog-rock bands like Yes, ELP and Rush. In time, Ryan was able to master most of these bands, in particular the virtuoso drummer of Rush, Neil Peart. Not stopping there, he also tackled other bands that proved more than challenging for most drummers -Tool, Porcupine Tree, Metallica, Dream Theater and the like. Ryan eventually took an interest in the craft of songwriting drawing from artists like Death Cab for Cutie, Ray LaMontagne, City and Colour and Peter Gabriel which culminated in his first full length solo record “Free of Shackles” in 2012. Playing every instrument and singing all the tracks, it was the first of three more records of the same ilk he has since released (“Closing Door’s, “If I’m Dreaming” and 2018’s “Breaking Delicate things”). Ryan's superior time, blistering fills and musical acumen are the motor that turns the wheels of Crown Watts.
In his free time: Ryan enjoys gaming, movies and space (the telescope kind, not the personal kind; although he likes his personal space as well).
John Michael: Bass / Vocal
Hailing from the frozen tundra of Minnesota, John started in concert band in middle school opting for a bass instead of the traditional woodwind or brass instruments. Eventually it was the Prog-Rock band Rush that would capture his musical attention and direction. After playing professionally both live and in studio for 10 years, he relocated to the Cincinnati area landing a spot with The Kevin Fox band during the recording of 2005’s “All over the Place” record which was later followed by the 2013 live release “Caught”. Following several years with the KFB, he became a co-founding member of the popular Cincinnati group The Fun Size. John is the son of a Navy captain and a SAG-AFTRA actress which has istilled in him the discipline it takes to play the difficult CW set list and the showmanship it takes to sell it.
In his free time: John enjoys family time, delicious food/drink, looking cool in hats and skateboarding in the safety of his own driveway.