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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).
Tim Cornelius: Keyboards
Tim Cornelius is a multi-instrumentalist from Cincinnati who started learning piano at age 12. He played in a variety of rock, jazz, and other musical groups throughout high school. During college he played in a few different bands that had difficulty maintaining reliable bass players, so Tim volunteered to learn bass in addition to his keyboard duties. With Geddy Lee as a role model he knew it was possible to learn both (In Dirk We Trust). In the subsequent 20 yeas Tim has worked primarily as a bass player in various jazz and rock combos, pit orchestras, and as a session player for various artists around Cincinnati. Playing with Crown Watts provides a unique opportunity to renew and improve his keyboard “chops” on material he grew up loving, especially Rush, Yes, and other prog rock legends.
In his free time: Tim is a family man and enjoys kayaking, hiking, and convincing his sons that pickle-ball is a sport equal to tennis.
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Alex Hughes: Bass
Alex grew up in a musical family. His mother played guitar and his dad played mandolin and guitar. At age 8 he fell in love with the bass while listening to his dads bluegrass band rehearsals. He then started taking lessons and practicing. At age 11 he was sitting in with them playing Bill Monroe and Ricky Skaggs while also playing in a rock band with some kids from school. Two years later he would join a band called Phases who introduced him to Prog Rock that would change his view of the bass forever. Now the bass was not only just the the backbone of a song it became this living breathing entity with endless possibilities.
Over the next 40 years he has recorded, performed and toured with many acts. He has played pop, funk, country, jazz and rock. Some notable ones being the 90s southern rock band Uncle Six, The Kelly Richey Band, Scotty Bratcher, Indiginous front man and guitarist Mato Nanji, All In event band, Guitar Phenom Guthrie Trapp, 3 Piece Revival, and Noah Hunt, the lead singer of the multiplatinum, Grammy nominated Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. Alex’s bass heroes include Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, Jaco and Motown great James Jameson, just to name a few.
In late October 2024 Alex joined Crown Watts bringing his musical journey full circle back to his roots of playing Rush and Yes. When the talented John Micheal decided to retire, Alex was honored to be chosen to hold down the low end while paying homage to some of his heroes.
In his free time Alex enjoys noodling with his 2008 s2000, spending time with his 2 beautiful daughters and watching old episodes of the Twilight Zone with his girlfriend.