The Band Members

Band Member Profiles

All Web Banner and Band Member Profile Photos by Garrison Marsh

Vic Anderson

During his 40-year professional career, Vic has performed with numerous local and touring shows and bands covering the blues to symphonic. A native Tulsan, Vic was a student of Ken Downing, Dan Haerle, Jim Riggs, Jack Paterson and Rich Matteson at North Texas State. Vic also performs with Brad Absher and the Superials.

Robert Basil

A native from Buffalo, N.Y, Robert started playing drums at the age of 13. Artists influences, including "The Animals", "The Kinks", "The Beatles", Elvis and Sinatra, shaped and molded his style of drumming. With the music blaring at sufficient decibels, most of Robert's teenage years were spent drumming to the radio in his parents' basement. In recent years, Robert has focused on developing his drumming technique and has become a very accomplished musician. Once In A While Band has been very blessed to have this amazing beat generator.

Tom Basler

Tom has been playing piano professionally for over 35 years. Beginning as a multi-keyboard player with dance bands and show bands in the 70’s and 80’s, Tom eventually gravitated to “Dueling Pianos” in 1989. He has become one the best known and longest working “duelers” in the country. He has worked all over the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and on cruise ships. He has performed in all types of venues and for all kinds of crowds.

Though Tom prefers the term “Sing Along” for his show, the “Dueling Piano” moniker has endured. No matter what it’s called, Tom’s primary goal at every show is to include everyone in the performance: the audience, staff, and fellow musicians. With his vast repertoire and engaging persona, crowds of all types find themselves clapping and singing along. In the summer of 2010, Mr. Basler was asked to create an act for a local outdoor venue, the result: The Fabulous Two Man Band. With his friend and very capable drummer, Roger Nottestad, the Two Man Band can now be seen several nights weekly showing crowds a great time.

Julio Beltran

As a retired school teacher from Texas, Julio's greatest love (besides his wife) is playing guitar and performing. Growing up in Henryetta, OK, Julio's musical interests started when he was a teenager where developed an appreciation for several musical genres ranging from folk music to 60's "classic" rock. He entertained several coffee houses over the years and performed with a female vocalist duo called "Azure Blue Trio". Julio recently moved back to Oklahoma after a 35 year teaching career in Texas. The band is extremely fortunate and honored to have Julio as the band's beloved acoustic guitarist.

Rod Clark

Rod is a freelance professional musician on Trombone, Trumpet, Euphonium, Tuba, and Bass since 1982. He was the Conductor/Arranger of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Orchestra in 2001 and obtained his AP Music Theory Certification in 2007. Rod is also a published composer/arranger with Stone Mill Music in Tulsa, OK. His arrangements have been performed by The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, The Brady Orchestra, The Tulsa Rock Quartet, and numerous local professional and school groups.

In addition to, Rod's performance credits are numerous! This includes working with Clark Terry, John Faddis, Randy Brecker, Byron Stripling, Bobby Shew, Conte Condoli, Louie Bellson, Greg Bissonette, Mel Torme, Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, Ann Hampton Callaway, Bob Newhart, Frank Sinatra Jr., Nancy Wilson, Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff, Pete Christlieb, Lew Tebackin, Steve Wilkerson, Frank Stallone, Dave Pietro, Bill Watrous, The Harry James Orchestra, The Gene Krupa Big Band, The Ojays, The Scintas, The Temptations, The 4 Tops and The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra!

Melody Debraux

Born in Nairobi, Kenya & having grown up all over the world, Melody DeBraux spent her formative years in the DC area where she taught herself to play piano by ear while being trained in classical voice. She began writing and performing her own music at the age of 10 but her love of songwriting flourished during her college years while singing and touring with several local bands out of Nairobi, Kenya. She also began recording her music in studio at around the same time. Once back in the US, Melody spent several years singing and playing guitar and piano in a duo and a few years later started performing solo around her native Houston, TX.

In 2021, Melody released her first solo album, Blue Skies, recorded during the pandemic, when many artists were unable to perform and tour due to the pandemic. While the album has a definite country/pop flare, some songs do reflect an international upbringing with heartfelt ballads expressing a life full of ups and downs. Melody's combination of sass, strength, and vulnerability are something we all can relate to. Melody currently resides in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Dave Johnson

Dave has performed the role as a lead trumpeter in a lot of places for a lot of folks. He has quite an impressive resume that includes playing the trumpet for the American Queen Steamboat Company, Lawerence Welk Orchestra, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bobby Vinton with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. These are just a few of many bands that he has professionally played with. In the early 90's, Dave was also the Musical Director and Bandleader for Costa Cruise Lines and Lead Trumpet with Royal Caribbean Cruises. Dave attended Baldwin-Wallace College and studied Music Performance.

Robert Mays

Robert began taking violin lessons at the age of 3 and taught himself piano. By age 8, he was playing with various symphonies and picking up other instruments on the side while still taking formal training with violin. In addition to, he began playing at church early on, and by the time he was 12, he was playing piano and other instruments for church services. At age 18, Robert used a music scholarship to go to Radiology school while serving as music minister at a variety of churches. According to Robert, he married the best woman to ever live on Y2K day (December 31, 1999)! He is blessed with having two very talented girls (women now) who both sing and play multiple instruments.

During his entire adult life, Robert has served as music minister at churches and played in many different ensembles while having a simultaneous career in Radiology. He has played sessions in several studios and authored church music, commercial instrumentals and jingles. He has also done some voiceover work as well. Robert moved to Tulsa to take a church position and was eventually employed at Saint Francis. He finished his master's degree in healthcare administration in 2017. As of today, he is the music minister at Newspring Family Church and Lead MRI technologist at the Saint Francis Imaging Center.

Kelly Melton

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kelly was influenced by his mother's love for music and started playing guitar at the young age of ten. His music was heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and Led Zepplin. After attending college at OSU, he started performing at local pubs around Tulsa. While entertaining the audience with Elvis impersonations, Kelly was coined the name "Kelvis" from his good friend Jimmie T. The nickname took and the rest is history. While modeling sun glasses through a local agency, he met his lovely wife, Gina, and they are now celebrating 21 years of marriage. Kelly's motto is "Live big, live strong and never stop loving!

Nikki Shay

Throughout Nikki's life, music has been deeply rooted in her psyche. Her passion for singing is evidenced through her singing style. She is an energetic artist and versatile entertainer who appears to draw energy from the very music she performs. She began at the age of 3 when her parents enrolled her in music classes. She has been part of several musical groups and traveled the US, Europe and Japan. A Springfield, Missouri native, Nikki moved to Oklahoma and now resides in Sand Springs with her husband Matt. Nikki's main goal with the OIAWB program is to help people feel empowered and less isolated. She further wants to create a sense of togetherness, ignite belief in one's self and inspire kindness both towards others and ourselves.

Greg Silvis

Greg is the founder, bassist, and primary songwriter for the Once In A While Band, which he formed in 2012. His lifelong musical journey began in his pre-teens with a deep love for the Beatles and Motown. Over time, his influences expanded to include diverse artists like Eva Cassidy, John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, and Eric Clapton. As a bassist, Greg’s taste spans from driving R&B and jazz grooves to melodic, acoustic guitar ballads—a versatility that shines through in his original compositions for the group.

Under Greg's direction as producer, the band recorded their debut album, Love’s Waiting For You, at Tulsa’s historic Church Studio. Drawing sonic inspiration from local legend JJ Cale, Fleetwood Mac and Chicago, the project directly benefits kidney cancer research and the band's on-going mission. This charitable focus aligns with the band's mission-driven core; under Greg's leadership, they have performed at dozens of benefit events, raising over $30,000 for Oklahoma community causes. By day, Greg balances his musical endeavors with a career in healthcare technology, serving as a Senior Clinical Imaging Network Engineer at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

Rick "Jones" Tahdooahnippah

Rick Tahdooahnippah

Coming from a long line of family musicians, Rick Tahdooahnippah (also formerly known as "Rick Taylor" or "Rick Jones") started playing guitar at the age of 14 and never stopped. He chased his dream to Hollywood and practiced 8 to 14 hour days while studying music theory and music composition at the Guitar Institute of Technology. He eventually made his way back home where he went on to compose and perform scores for film and television. He even scored a commercial that aired during the Sunday Gator and Superbowl. After a highly competitive guitar contest in 2016, Rick was officially named the "Best Guitar Player In Tulsa". However, with all of his accomplishments, Rick still maintains a humble heart and always conveys a genuine kind spirit to all he encounters.

Karen Silvis

Honorable Mention: Though Karen is no longer able to be a participating member, she is still an active supporter of the band's music and mission. Her warmth and loving soul is the very "heart" that keeps all members welcomed and inspired.

Music has been an integral part of Karen's life for as long as she can remember. From sonatas to Sinatra, the music that filled her childhood home was as diverse as the New York City neighborhood she grew up in. Encounters with street performers and subway musicians was an almost daily occurrence. As the band's retired percussionist, Karen brought a natural sense of rhythm and a subtle seasoning to the band's music.

Love's Waiting For You Debut Album

"Special Appearances"

Brad Absher

Tulsa-born musician Brad Absher brings a soulful blend of Southern soul, blues, and Americana shaped by a lifetime of rich experiences across the South. Raised by schoolteacher parents, Absher spent part of his early childhood in Iran before returning to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he first picked up a guitar and began chasing the sounds that would define his life.

By high school, his family had returned to Oklahoma, and Absher soon found himself playing in Tulsa clubs, drawn to the collaborative spirit and rootsy edge of the Tulsa Sound. His expressive vocals and tasteful guitar work made him a fixture in the city’s thriving scene throughout the 1980s and ’90s. A later move to Houston expanded his musical reach, where he led Swamp Royale and twice represented the city at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Back on familiar ground, Absher continues to perform and record with his band The Superials, channeling decades of musical journey into every note. His music carries the honesty, warmth, and storytelling soul of the American South, shaped by Tulsa’s roots, Louisiana’s rhythm, and the enduring groove of Houston and New Orleans.

For more information about Brad and his band, please go to https://bradabshermusic.com/

Denise Hoey & David John

Denise Hoey, singer, & David John, guitar. Denise has starred on cruise ships across the globe in her solo show and shared The Grand Ole Opry stage with legends like Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Vince Gill.

David John is also known in the Tulsa community as a jazz and pop musician. He performs alongside Denise at many venues and events that are community-oriented and showcase their involvement in Tulsa’s local arts scene.

The duo has a wide range of genres that they cover including Pop, Classic Rock, Country, R&B, Blues, and Jazz.

For more information about Denise and David and upcoming shows, please visit https://www.facebook.com/denisehoeymusic

Elisha Laforest

Raised in the vibrant Tulsa music scene, Elisha has spent most of his life playing music, sharing both stage and studio with numerous artists—including Grammy Award winner Ike Turner Jr. For Elisha, the greatest joy is collaborating with fellow musicians who share his passion, noting that "there truly is nothing like it."

For more photos and videos from Elisha, please visit his Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/laforestmusic?utm_source=qr

Carol Anwar

Carol is a lifelong musician and versatile vocalist with decades of performance experience. Her musical roots began early as a multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, clarinet, and oboe in school bands alongside singing in the choir. She later dedicated many years to church and worship music, including a seven-year tenure providing vocal harmonies for a praise band. Carol spent five foundational years arranging and singing harmony for Once in a While Band and later lent her signature background vocals to several tracks on the band's album Love's Waiting For You.