The Instigators

The Instigators are a group of four veteran Austin musicians who have been paying their musical dues collectively and separately for years, both in the central Texas area and on the road. The lead singer, rhythm guitar player and primary songwriter, Mark Edson, a native Texan, has been in many bands over the years playing all over the state of Texas as well as New Mexico and Louisiana, and sharing the stage and working in the recording studio with artists like Lloyd Maines, Reese Wynans, Jesse "Guitar" Taylor, Joe Ely and Rusty Wier among many others. Mark's powerful, unique voice, along with his ability to craft a tune helped him achieve some early chart success as a solo act with one of his songs reaching number 5 on the national independent country chart published in Music Row magazine in Nashville, Tennessee. Additionally, he has written and performed a song used in a movie soundtrack and has an extensive catalogue of original material. Mark also holds a Screen Actors' Guild card by virtue of having appeared in speaking roles in several movies and commercials, working in scenes with people like Helen Hunt, Mickey Rooney and Dennis Quaid among others.

Larry Schramm plays bass in the Instigators as well as performing vocal duties, both lead and harmony. His vocals are an important part of the Instigators' sound as many songs are performed in strong, three part harmony. Originally from Philadelphia, Larry's music career took a winding road to Austin. Starting in a touring blues band in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he went on to play in touring bands in Florida, Colorado, Arizona and Missouri. Ultimately arriving in Austin, Larry began playing with several local bands, including the original band Latest Flame. He also began playing with a band called Mojo, who, after 15 years, still hold down a regular Thursday night jam session at the Roadhouse in Austin. In addition to his strong vocal presence and solid, accomplished bass playing with the Instigators, his familiarity with diverse musical genres (Country, Blues, Rock, R&B) adds to the band's versatility.

Jim Townsend, the newest member of the Instigators, brings not only hot lead guitar licks but outstanding lead and harmony vocals as well. Additionally, Jim wrote and performed one of the songs on the Instigators' debut EP. Jim originally hails from San Angelo, Texas but his musical journeys have taken him all the way to California and finally back to Austin. Upon arriving back in Austin, Jim could be found playing up and down Austin's world-famous 6th street music scene as well as throughout Texas. Jim is a founding member of the band Mojo and still plays in that long-running musical groups' traditional Thursday night Roadhouse jam . Jim's passionate, strong voice, both on harmonies as well as lead, along with his guitar mastery have really made the Instigators' sound come alive.

Keith Newberry is the drummer for the Instigators and he provides the solid foundation and backbone for the group's sound and success. Keith, an Austin-born native, has played with numerous nationally known artists such as Freddy King, Eric Johnson, and James Brown. He has also performed with well known Texas musical groups such as the Staehely Brothers, Johnny Dee and the Rocket 88s and the Lotions among others .In addition to his abilities as a drummer, Keith also produced the Instigators debut EP, "Livin' On the Run", displaying yet another talent, adding to the Instigators' arsenal.