The Spin-Outs Tribute Band hails from Chambersburg, PA
The Spin-Outs Tribute Band...BIOS!
Garry Gontz
Manager, Keyboards, Backup Vocals
Music took hold of Garry at the age of 12 when his parents got him his first guitar in his hometown of Scotland, PA. At 14, he and some friends started The Fugitives, a rock band that played school gigs, private parties, fairs, and carnivals.
After college, Garry played with very successful groups such as Crossfire, Redwing, and Atlantis. A few years later, he was asked to audition for a young, aspiring Elvis Tribute Artist; David King. It was the beginning of many years of friendship and playing in local clubs and various venues including The Whitaker Center which premiered, Elvis: The Man~The Music (a Live Rockumentary). He has played at The Capitol Theatre, Elvis Week in Memphis, and the Virginia Beach Elvis Festival.
Over the years he has shared the stage with such musical greats as The Jordanaires, Trisha Yearwood, The Bellamy Brothers, Mark Chestnut, and The Forester Sisters, to mention a few. After a taking a few years off, he reconnected with friend and local musician, Mike Park, to form The Spin-Outs with a primary focus to create a premier Elvis Tribute Band that plays for any Elvis Tribute Artist.
Garry’s greatest rewards are his strong faith in God, wife, daughter, granddaughter and grandson that provides tremendous support and unconditional love, the opportunity to perform with fantastic musicians, and getting to play for the fans!
Michael Park
Drums / Percussion
...is from Greenvillage, PA. Mike picked up his first pair of drum sticks at the age of 14. Playing in different garage bands in his teens, he got his first break playing in a working band at 17. This Altoona based club band, Second Edition, played cover tunes of that day’s favorite artists such as The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and various doo-wop bands. Mike joined his first Elvis Tribute Artist band, The KC Band (later the Royal Express,) through 2008. Mike also played with "The Memphis Cats," a band which specialized in Elvis music from the early years.
Vonita Townes
Backup Vocals / Percussion
Hailing from Baltimore, MD Vonita began piano lessons in elementary school, and advanced to piano and music theory at Peabody Preparatory School. Her musical influences include classical, show tunes, jazz, and pop.
She loves singing harmonies and sang in her high school chorus and choir. Before graduating, she was a member of The Fyne Myst, a trio fashioned after The Supremes. They appeared on the TV show, Baltimore Breakout, played local clubs and venues, and opened for Smokey Robinson. She also played keyboard and sang back-up vocals in an all-girl band, Hugh's Production. Upon moving to Hagerstown, MD, she enrolled in the Evolution Rock School and played keyboard and sang with Adults Only.
Vonita is also music director and member of "Greater" the praise band at Robinwood Church in Hagerstown, MD. In her small amount of spare time, she enjoys writing music and lyrics.
Robbie Mason
Lead / Rhythm Guitar, Backup Vocals
A native of Baltimore, MD Robbie now resides in Pennsylvania. Elvis music has been a part of his life since he was a very small child. His dad would play the 1972 Elvis On Tour-original soundtrack album over and over because Robbie would cry in his high chair each time the record ended.
Robbie started playing drums and alto saxophone in school and later transitioned to guitar.
His biggest guitar influences are Jimi Hendrix, John Fogerty, Scotty Moore, Skunk Baxter, Tim Mahoney, Billy Gibbons and, of course, the legendary chicken picker, James Burton.
John Hartman
Bass Guitar
Raised in Mont Alto PA, John started playing the trombone at the
age of 10 and played throughout the school years in the marching
band. He started showing more interest in the electric six-string
guitar and bought his first one at 14.
Shortly after graduating from high school, he made the switch to
the bass guitar (coincidentally due to a local band needing a bass
player) and immediately fell in love with the instrument and the
thrill of performing live music.
Throughout the years, he has honed and adapted his playing
style to fit genres’ such as classic rock, metal, funk and blues. For
nearly 40 years John has had success performing with numerous
bands at a regional level.
His main influences include Edward Van Halen, Steve Harris, Bob
Daisley, Geezer Butler, and his late friends Matthew Arnold and
Scott Thornton.
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With the love and support from his wife June, as well as friends
and family, he is still able to enjoy and return the blessing of
music the Lord has provided him.
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would
not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used
everything you gave me.’” (Erma Bombeck)
