Delta Knights Band

 Voted one of the country’s  best Wedding Bands

2 years running by Modern Bride Magazine!

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Rob Babson: Rob is the founder/bandleader/front-person/M.C. of the Delta Knights. He is also the band’s lead vocalist, lead guitarist and chief songwriter/arranger. Rob is always honing his chops and vocal repertoire, ever eager to please his audience. Although swing, rhythm and blues, blues and classic rock are his preferences, Rob never rules out anything if it’s good. Rob has been in show business since elementary school. As a musician, he has performed throughout New England and Tennessee since age 15. The Standish, Maine, native has fronted and led several successful local groups - specializing in diverse styles of music - including The Corvairs, Cool Shade of Blue, The Wildcats, Double Shot and Minus 500.  Rob has performed at local and international competitions, swing dances, fairs, festivals, weddings, anniversaries, retirement parties, corporate functions, resorts, camps, a military base, gospel revivals, on cruise boats, churches, as host of open mics, as opener for a national act, and at dozens of lounges, clubs and taverns.  Recently, Rob has performed in pit orchestras doing Broadway Shows. Rob studied guitar privately with Mike Silvestri, Gary Richardson, and Tony Gabourey. He studied voice with David Goulet and Debbie Scannell.


 

Sandy Pardee: Sandy, bassist/vocalist/M.C. now in his thirteenth “official” year with the band, was the missing link of The Delta Knights. Along with his musical talent, Sandy brings a healthy sense of fun, diversity, professionalism and an effective stage wit.  In 1998, Sandy came into his own as a “Knight,” not only in his great strides as a musician,  but by becoming a true team player. He has helped the band immensely by contributing his time and skills in helping the business side of the band grow. The band owes Sandy a debt of gratitude. The band would not be what it is today without his contributions.
     Before moving to Maine in the early ’90s, Sandy played in several bands throughout the northeast, and among other accomplishments, released one of the area’s first independent CDs with his Boston band, the Gordons. He also expanded his varied skills by touring with national recording artists Sonic Joyride as media specialist and videographer. In 2001, Sandy contributed to the “Box of Chocolates” CD by local artist John Stivers (released in 2002) and co-wrote, played, arranged and recorded songs on a second CD as part of a volunteer project with the Maine Youth Center called "Message To My Friends"(released in 2005).

 

Saxophonist Darren Whitney has been playing on and off with The Delta Knights since 1999.  It is always exciting when Mr. Whitney is on the gig!  Since an early age, Darren has been inspired by numerous styles of music. Growing up and listening to the recordings of many musical greats such as Marvin Gaye, Charlie Parker, Poncho Sanchez and Sting, inspired Darren to start playing the saxophone. He discovered that the saxophone could be a vehicle to expressing the emotions inspired by these great artists. Because of his diverse taste in music he participated in every musical situation available to him, from top 40 bands and reggae to jazz and funk.

After high school, Darren had the opportunity to play in the world-renowned college big bands of North Texas State before returning to Maine to receive his BA in English Literature from the University of Southern Maine. In 1997 he had the pleasure of playing on Motor Booty Affair’s CD, “Can You Feel the Love,” which received airplay on MTV’s hit series Road Rules and Real World.  Darren is on a constant mission to create music in any genre with exciting passionate musicians and always trying to deliver performances filled with the exuberance and warmth audiences and concert promoters expect.

Darren has studied saxophone and music theory with a wellspring of music educators, including Bill Street, Dan Haerle, Scott Reeves, Bob Thompson, Joe Laflamme, Janet Reeves, Alex Johns, James Riggs, George Garzone and Tim Sessions.