Brian "Bam Bam" Lovins (Drums)

Brian Lovins provides the foundation of the groove. Growing up in Nashville, Brian was exposed to all kinds of music through his dad, a professional piano player. Brian’s early interest in Three Dog Night, Grand Funk Railroad, and the Beatles led to tastes ranging from Led Zeppelin to Miles Davis. Brian studied privately with popular Nashville drummers such as Harry Wilkinson, Chris Peak, and BooBoo McAfee before studying percussion at the University of Miami. Since beginning his professional career, Brian has toured North America several times, including two "really, really cold" Canadian winter tours with country-rockers Fulco County Line, and spent five years in Los Angeles as a session player. Brian is thrilled to be a member of the Groove Merchants, where he gets to play "good music with good players." Brian played Noble & Cooley drums and cymbals that sounded really good until they were stolen.

Don Wiggins (Bass)

Hello, I'm Don. My musical obsession started in elementary school where I played trumpet in band and orchestra. Intent on getting involved in the excitement of rock and soul music I bought a bass guitar with lawn mowing money and jumped into the first garage band that would have me. My education was rounded out by studying privately with various professional musicians in the Chicago area during the 70's and 80's. Upon their recommendations I soon found myself involved in all manner of musical performance from an afternoon fashion show to the six sets a night dance clubs. Looking over the years I've spent performing in many different situations I am happy and proud to now be with the Groove Merchants. Playing in a large, exciting band such as this is quite rewarding for a bass player and we always have a great time!

Jason Mitchell (Guitar)

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland Jason moved to Phoenix in 1991 with a rock band. He's performed with many rock, funk, and blues groups going back to 1985, and recorded an independent cd in 1996. A guitarist since 1982, Jason picked up the bass soon after and played in various original and cover bands. He's taught more than 30,000 lessons since 1986, and opened Paradise Valley Music at the beginning of 2001. Prior to PVMusic, he taught at Allstar Music in Phoenix and several Music Go Round locations in Arizona and Maryland. Jason authored an instructional CD ROM in 2005 called "Practical Guitar." In recent years, he's performed with the funk group Calumet (guitar, 2000-2002) as well as the Pink Floyd tribute band, The Great Gig in the Sky (bass, 2000-2005). In February 2004, Jason joined The Groove Merchants on guitar. "I love many types of music, especially soul, funk, and jazz, and enjoy getting to play in a group with such variety," Jason says. Some of his favorite musicians are Dr. John, Herbie Hancock, Sly Stone, Jeff Beck, Tower of Power, Jellyfish, Uli Roth, Merle Travis, Jelly Roll Morton, James Jamerson, and Martin Taylor.