Artist description We are a Christian rock band from the Sacramento area in Northern California.

Music Style Rock; Christian rock

Artist History Zeke's Wheel could be described as a “Psalm 150” band. Their music is a loud blend of alternative, hard rock, with some funk and acoustic oriented songs mixed in. Their shows are high energy, and they build a solid rapport with audiences from the very start. Their first CD, Lessons I’ve Learned , showcases the band’s musical versatility with 8 songs ranging from praise and worship to tackling issues and questions we face as Christians, and humanity in general. Based out of the Sacramento area in Northern California, the band’s current lineup of Skip Bertsch (lead vocals, guitar), Ron Freeland (bass, vocals), Jim Shaw (guitar, vocals), and Sam Young (drums) has been in place since November 2001. However, the history of this band is a long one that has taken many forms. Jim and Ron have been playing music together since childhood. In the early 80s they formed a band with Jim’s brother Tim, guitarist Dave Sarantopoulos and a revolving door of drummers called “Eternal Light Band”. The band played extensively in the Sacramento area at youth groups, festivals and coffeehouses. They broke up in 80s. In 1999 Jim, Ron and Dave regrouped bringing in Sam to “fill in” on drums to do a show at a local coffeehouse. Sam stayed. Calling themselves “ELB”, they took some of the songs from their early days, rearranged and updated them and ended up playing several shows in the Sacramento and Bay areas over the next 2 years. Then in the summer of 2001 Dave left the band, and that fall they hooked up with Skip, who was formerly from another local Christian rock band, “Mercy’s Edge”. By February 2002, the band changed its name to Zeke’s Wheel and was already in the studio recording some of their original songs from their previous bands as well as a few new ones. Lessons I’ve Learned was the result. Zeke’s Wheel has had the privilege of playing in a wide variety of settings and venues. Here are some of the most notable: August 2001- Sacramento’s ARCO Arena following a Sacramento Monarchs’ game November 2002-Hayward, The Hangout’s “Battle of the Bands”, named “Best Overall Band” May 2003- Santa Clara, Spring Celebration, Paramount’s Great America “This is David from The Hangout in Hayward. We just had our 3rd annual Battle of the bands and it was a great day. Zeke's Wheel walked away with top honors and winning the overall. These guys rock, they put on a great show, sound great, but they do something more important than that, they make the audience part of their show. And their love for the Lord is way cool. They were only into their 2nd song when people came up to me and said, looks like here's your winner. If you...need a crowd pleaser Zeke's Wheel is my choice.”-David Klegman, The Hangout Booking and Contact information: Jim Shaw jshaw@starstream.net “Go out today and preach the Gospel...and if you must, use words.” -- St. Francis of Assissi

Group Members Skip Bertsch- lead and background vocals, rhythm guitar, 2nd lead on "Golgotha"; Ron Freeland- bass, background vocals; Jim Shaw- lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, background vocals; Sam Young- drums, background vocals; Additional musicians: Gregg Demey- organ on "We Come to Praise"; Gina Boskovich- background vocal on "We Come to Praise";

Instruments guitar, bass, drums

Albums Lessons I've Learned

Location Lincoln, CA - USA

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