Maggie Mae Country, Down Home Country

STUART THAYER (Piano Man)
Stuart Thayer is an extrordanary pianist and has been playing in the Heartland Country band for the past year and a half. You will be amazed at this mans talents. He has been playing since the early age of 7 years old with lessons that really paid off. Stuart started playing classical music but over the years has aquired a taste of all different types of music and says he really is enjoying the “Old Time” country music that Heartland Country plays. He has played with several bands and says he enjoys the times he gets to play with his father, ….. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful musician to work with.

Johnny started playing the guitar in 1956. His first guitar came from Sears and Roebuck for $13.00.
Thru high school several of Johnnys friends played at nursing homes and movie theaters when Elvis movies were to be shown. We would play before the movie would start.
Rock and roll was so evil at that time they would not let us play our music in the school auditorium.
Johnny became interested in Country music around 1958. At that time the country stars we know today were on the road doing shows were ever they could.
In 1961 Johnny started playing in a 3 piece group called The Frontiersmen. The band grew to 4 pieces and then shortly after that to a 5 piece band. The Frontiersmen did a lot of fun jobs at county fairs and opened for package shows that came to southern Wi. The Frontiersmen worked shows with Sonny James. Johnny Cash, Hugh X. Lewis, Merle Kilgore, Stonewall Jackson, Dottie West, and Charlie Pride.
Some of the bands Johnny has played in thru the years include Loyd Kaye and Uptown Country, Country Gentlemen, Country Gents, The Fireman, Classic Country, and Cherokee.

"Being able to play in Maggie Mae’s band Heartland Country has been a great opportunity. We have a lot of fun playing “Maggie Music” for great traditional country music fans. Remember “Keep It Country”
Johnny

PEDRO PENA (Drums)
Pedro’s love for music started with his father, where Pedro played the maracas for his dads orchestra. He then started playing drums around the age of 10 and the rest is history. He played all kinds of music from the 30s & 40s to rock & roll and yes...even country! He has played with many wonderful bands along his career. He has played drums with Maggie & Heartland Country for a few years now and has quickly become a favorite for his great singing too! We are so blessed to have him as our drummer.

Dale Chroninger (05/22/48)
Dale began his musical career in the late 60’s, as a lead guitarist and vocalist. An unfortunate left hand injury forced a change to bass guitar, but did not dampen his love of classic country music. Through the years, Dale has played in several bands, including “Country Gold”, “The Now Sounds of Country”, and “Riverland Opry”. Dale has also opened for numerous national acts and package shows. In 2000, Dale began studying the pedal steel guitar and has never looked back. He also dabbles with dobro, mandolin, and banjo. Dale has also built, and experiments with. his multi-channel analog recording studio. Although Dale’s primary career, as a law enforcement officer, does not allow for normal weekends off, he plays as often as possible with Maggie Mae, and for benefits and fund raisers.

“Classic Country is more than just my interest and preference.. I never get tired of good lovin’, drinkin’, and cheatin’ songs. My kind of country has to be passionate. Just hearing the music is not enough..you have to feel the music!”