MEMBERS & BIOGRAPHIES

ROBIN and THE RHYTHMIX

ROBIN, female lead vocalist / band leader, founded “Robin and The Rhythmix” in 1996. She has been professionally influenced and owes her love of music to her late stepfather and mentor, Mr. Carroll Skinner, pianist/musical arranger/orchestration major. Mr. Skinner shared his wealth of knowledge in the music business with Robin, as he toured with many great artists to include: Gladys Knight and The Pips, Sammy Davis Jr., Red Skelton and the entire Sinatra family. Robin is thankful to have been raised by this amazingly talented and experienced individual who introduced her to all genres' of music, especially "big band". She attributes this background to the success of her band and her talent in playing multiple instruments in addition to singing lead vocals for the band. Robin has performed with local groups, such as: The Romano’s, The Carroll Skinner Quartet featuring John Signorello, Spring, Danny Dolan and First Class, The Al Baitch Trio, Spin, Kaos, The Esquires, The Monaldi Trio, Pure Delight, Messenger, Bobby Berger at Bobby B's Palace, and many other Baltimore bands. Another great memory Robin shares is when she vocally backed-up two famous individuals, Frankie Ford and Michael "Elvis" Hoover, when touring in Baltimore in the mid 90’s. In the past, Robin is proud to say she performed for Maryland's #1 Oldies radio “WQSR 102.7”, while working under the direction of Steve Rouse and "his crew" at the Towsontown Spring Festival (thus opening for Three Dog Night), WQSR's 8^th Annual Ball, and The World’s Largest Office Party at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore City. Robin continues to dazzle the audience with her vocal talent, in addition to playing electric guitar. She also enjoys playing drums and wows the audience when playing the song “Wipe Out”.

DENNIS, keyboards / vocals, started playing guitar and piano in the 50’s, while attending the Md. State Teacher’s College in Towson (now Towson State). After graduation, he served in the US Army Security Agency for three years. Dennis played guitar in a 4-piece combo while overseas in Japan and Okinawa during the Korean War. Shortly after returning home, he switched over to piano and formed The Astronauts band, playing for a number of years under that name and then for a short time in Harford County, as The Versatiles (not The Versatiles who worked around Baltimore City). Dennis also worked as a single act at lounges and piano bars, including Longley’s Restaurant in the early Towson Plaza years, The Starting Gate Inn in Jacksonville, MD, Mr. Bill’s Quarterdeck in York, PA, and others too numerous to mention. He had worked with The Country Conspiracy at The Millersville Inn for over five years as the house band, then later formed the Village Band and worked for a number of years under that name. Since then has worked with Smokin’ Guns, a southern rock group and RocknHorse, a variety group with emphasis on country, classic rock, and 50’s music. He played most all country music venues around Baltimore at one time or another, served 3 years as President of the Organized Country Musicians of Baltimore from 1980 – 1982 and has worked as a Junior High School science teacher for 30 years in Baltimore County at Carroll Manor, Parkville, Loch Raven, and Perry Hall. After retiring from the county, he worked six years at the Maryvale School for Girls as a science teacher. After retiring from teaching, he then worked as a Vision Therapist at the Baltimore Vision Fitness Center in Timonium, MD. Besides music, interests are building welded metal sculptures and WW II model airplanes. Robin and The Rhythmix are pleased to have Dennis in the band and are extremely happy to have come in contact with such a talented, hardworking and dedicated individual.

MARK, drums / vocals, took an interest in drums at a young age of seven. His father saw this and private lessons began. Studying for seven years he learned to read and play while also playing in school bands. At the age of 14 he started to branch out and began playing with the older bands when a drummer was in need. After getting a taste of this he joined local teen bands and started playing high school dances, proms, weddings, private parties with a band known as Upper Echelon (later known as Echelon). He went on to the night club circuit with a band called Hot Property playing the local clubs and traveling the East coast. He took a 30 year hiatus from music to work in the private sector and has returned to play with Robin and the Rhythmix. Mark states, “The love of music I never lost and I have returned to doing what makes me happy”.

MIKE, lead guitar / vocals, was born and raised in the Chicago area. He has played and sung nearly 40 years now. He’s also played bass and keyboards, and currently plays in church regularly. He has lived in Florida for 25 years playing in many bands, from classic rock to country to jazz. He had a stint traveling with the Serendipity Singers in the early 80's and a folk group that had several hits in the 60's.