FlattFootRollers

ABOUT THE BAND:
The FlattFoot Rollers came together in the summer of 2007 in St. Paul, Minnesota. We play R&B, funk, and soul favorites. We keep audiences dancing with a tight, energetic rhythm section and soulful lead and harmony vocals. We have been playing at clubs, private parties, and public events in the Twin Cities, including the Dry Bones Blues Festival and National Night Out.

Jonathan Keith Thompson
Lead vocals
Keith is originally from Chicago, where he sang in many R&B, blues, and gospel groups. He has been singing since age 10, and has shared stages with the Jackson 5, the Five Stairsteps, the Chi-lites, and others. Keith’s influences include Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and the Temptations.

Raphael Piaton
Bass
Raphael was born and raised in Paris, France. He started playing bass for school band at 16. He studied engineering in Germany at 20 and moved to the U.S. in 1998. Raphael has 10 years of experience as an urban contemporary gospel musician in Cincinnati, Detroit, and Minneapolis. He also plays guitar and composes and records original jazz-funk songs. Raphael speaks English, German, and French, and is a strong believer in cultural diversity.

Eddie Williams
Guitar
Eddie comes from Little Rock, AR. He gained experience at guitar by playing in church. In Arkansas, he played in a rock group called Rock City, where they gave him the nickname “Fingers”. Eddie has played in gospel groups as well as blues, including Twin Cities band Star Time with Mickey Lewis.

Stewart Rhodes
Vocals, Keyboard
Stewart grew up right here in St. Paul, MN. Some of his earliest musical experience was from singing in high school choirs and in church. He started playing piano in his 20's, and played in local band such as Star Time and Ice Blue. Stewart has attended several trade schools and worked as a class-A driver. He currently runs his own computer-tech business. Stewart also writes his own R&B songs, some of which have been performed by the FlattFoot Rollers.

Sherman Townsend
Vocals
Sherman was born and raised in St. Paul. He has sung with local R&B groups including Purple Haze. Sherman has been through some “rough spots of his own making” but says that things are getting better for him. In addition to singing, he is a painter, songwriter (primarily gospel songs) and piano player.

Kim Crysler
Keyboards
A native of Minneapolis, Kim began piano lessons at age 6, and has studied off and on until she attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Through the MacPhail Center for Music, Kim began studies in classical and theatre organ, piano, and music theory. In 1991 she attended Walker-West Music Academy for gospel and church music and choir directing. Kim has played for several Twin Cities area churches and groups and is currently Organist of Macedonia Baptist Church in Minneapolis. In addition to church work, She is one of five house organists at the Heights Theatre in Columbia Heights, MN.
Kim got her first taste of playing R&B and Blues during a jam session at Famous Dave's BBQ in Uptown Minneapolis, which drew the attention of KFAI's Jacquie Maddix (Lady J). Lady J. started the Diamond Blue Revue in 2001 in Fridley, later moving to Arnellia's in St. Paul. It was there Kim became associated with Mikil Lewis and Startime, playing at various clubs and other venues. She has played with other bands such as 4 on the Floor, Filthy Rich, and with vocalists Willie Taylor, Kevina Redwine, Yolanda Bruce, to name a few.
Kim currently resides in south Minneapolis, and when not involved in music, she is employed at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota.