WELCOME TO THE ALLEY!
Back Alley's driving rhythm section, harmonized vocals, and dynamic musicianship has been delighting audiences in and around Omaha since its founding in 2011. Originally formed as a blues band, Back Alley surpassed 17 other bands to win third place in BSO's Nebraska Blues Challenge. Although the Blues is no longer the main focus, Back Alley's mix of cover and original music always serves up a good time! Back Alley's cover repertoire spans classic rockers like Linda Ronstadt, The Rolling Stones, and Bonnie Raitt, as well as more recent offerings by Imelda May, Tommy Castro, and Tedeschi-Trucks.
MEET THE MUSICIANS!
Beth Steele Vocals
Music has always been a big part of Beth's life. She started out singing in church and later developed a taste for musical theater. Beth has been awarded "Best Actress In A Musical" twice in Omaha. She has performed in bands for several years and is proud to be the newest member of Back Alley. Beth's biggest influences are Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, Billy Joel, and Elton John. In real life Beth has been a nurse for 21 years. She is married to Rich and has two wonderful children and two beautiful grandchildren.
Greg Gerdes Percussion
"Drummers aren't even real musicians," Greg says jokingly, "They just make noise." Greg's sense of humor infects the rest of the band keeping rehearsals light-hearted yet "focused." Greg's meticulous attention to detail for making the right "noise" at precisely the right time provides the pulse for the band. He keeps the other members honest and accurate in their playing. In real life Greg is an Omaha area optometrist. The perfect career choice for a person with a meticulous attention to detail and focused on being precise.
Chris Link Keyboards and Vocals
Chris was raised in Kansas City and joined Back Alley in 2019. Judging from his phone, his favorites include Asleep At The Wheel, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Jon Cleary, Louis Jordan, Little Feat, Jay McShan, Ryan Montbleau, the Neville Brothers, Oscar Peterson, Boz Scaggs, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan and Tom Waits. He has played with blues and R&B groups, a jump blues band, a piano/vocal Great American Songbook duet and even a reggae project! In addition to Back Alley, he current plays with a country band, Collective Twang. By day, Chris is an anesthesiologist in the Omaha area.
Doug Render Bass and Vocals
Doug grew up in Atlantic, IA and started playing in bands when he was fifteen. After High School, he ended up at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO. While there Doug played in various bands including Sneaky Peak and The Walkenhorst Brothers. He continued to Kansas City and toured for two years with The Bob Marriott Band traveling through 18 states in the Midwest and the South. After taking time to start a family and stops in various midwestern states Doug played with "Flashback" in Illinois. After returning to Omaha he played with several local bands which include Bongo Fury, Element, and the Goorillas before joining Back Alley in 2016.
Doug retired from his management job in 2021 and enjoys life on his own terms now.
Doug uses SWR amplification and Musicman, Fender, and Godin basses.
