Tommy VanAtta:  Keyboard, Harmonica, Percussion and Lead Vocals.



Tommy is truly one of the most dynamic entertainers on today's music scene.  Along with his unique vocal style,
Tommy's high energy and stage presence is the focal point of the Chessmen Show. His performance in the
tribute to Elvis and James Brown is one of the many highlights of the show. He has performed with such artists
as Brenda Lee, The Platters, and Percy Sledge. Tommy, the only founding member of the Chessmen,
owns and operates Chessmen Entertainment, a production and merchandise company.


 Fritz Hester:  Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals.



Fritz left the university to pursue music, and has backed diverse blues & soul artists including 
Percy Sledge & Bobby Rush, (opening for the likes of Muddy Waters & Bobby 'Blue' Bland). 
From the chitlin' circuit of Mississippi to the concert hall Fritz has worked with the 
'Mississippi' and 'Meridian' Symphonies on guitar & banjo. He has performed at Carnegie Hall 
with the Meridian Community College Jazz Band. 
Ken Sanders:  Drums, Lead Vocals.



Ken Sanders began performing at age six, when he began singing on the 
WSM radio show “The Opry Spotlight”.  He has since performed on shows with 
Eddie Rabbitt; Charlie McCoy, Tony Joe White, Joe South, Bruce Channel, Art Garfunkle, 
Dobie Gray, Mark Denning, Ronnie McDowell, the Casinos, Clifford Currey, Robert Knight, 
Jerry Lee Lewis, the Platters, the Drifters, and Brenda Lee.  Ken was selected as 
house drummer for the very first Mid-South Pop Festival and is a featured artist of the 
Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society.  He is honored to be on the international list of top 
drummers compiled by Drum Solo Artist.Com, and is also the author of numerous 
articles published on the internet regarding drum related topics


Dave Copeland:  Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals.



After starting his career in music at the age of 13, Dave went on to own 
a club called The Showboat in Nashville. He performed with the General Assembly and 
The Gators for several years across the Southeast, including New Orleans.  
He also toured across the United States and performed for several years in Las Vegas 
with The Harry James Orchestra, Phil Harris and Frank Sinatra, Jr.  
He also played with the Allman Brothers.


Wayne Marsh:  Keyboard, Lead Vocals.



Coming from a musical family, Wayne has been performing since his teenage years. 
His skills have been honed by extensively playing live gigs in the Southeast for more than four decades. 
He has studied piano, jazz guitar, music theory and has played keyboard, guitar, and bass with numerous 
R&B, Rock, Country, Jazz, and Concert bands. He has worked in the orchestra 
at several Broadway Musicals for the Renaissance Center performing arts program in Dickson, Tennessee. 
He has performed on shows with numerous artists including: Warren Haynes, Brenda Lee, Charlie Louvin, 
Lorrie Morgan, Nat Stucky, Freddie Hart, Keith Bilbrey, and Ralph Emery.