The members of Moxie each have a wealth of musical talent and experience, and the combination of our diverse interests and influences produces the distinctive character of Moxie's sound. We are all good friends who played together in various combinations before all coming together in Moxie. We enjoy being together on and off the stage, which shows in the collective energy and enthusiasm we bring to each performance.
Get to know the members of Moxie: |
Staci McBeth (lead vocals)
Like many singers of her caliber, the roots of Staci’s vocal style began in the church and blossomed as she gained experience in a wide range of musical genres, performing and recording gospel, rock, country, and r&b. With a powerful voice and delivery that brings to mind stellar performers such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and Linda Ronstadt, Staci takes command of a song and makes it her own. She was the “voice” of popular bands such as KittyHawk, Harlots Web, Heartbeat of Soul, and The Groovin' Band (where she and Mike first played together). Now her gutsy, soulful style fuels the funky high-energy sound of Moxie. Staci resides in Martinsville, VA. |
Sal Burnette (bass and vocals)
Sal's interest in music began early, learning piano and playing in the high school band and orchestra. Eventually, she discovered the bass guitar and the rest, as they say, is history. Sal has worked with a variety of bands, including Lee and Susan Terry and Wafer Thin. Prior to Moxie, she and Staci played together in the popular all-female group, Harlot’s Web. Blending the power and technique of rock legends like Geddy Lee with the groove of R&B/funk luminaries like Verdine White, James Jamerson and Larry Graham, Sal provides the foundation for Moxie’s funky, danceable sound. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC. |
Matthew Hedrick (drums)
Matthew learned to play drums in high school band and orchestra growing up in North Carolina. Eventually relocating to California, Matthew performed with a number of bands writing, recording, and performing original music in Los Angeles and Orange County. Matthew now resides in Charlotte, NC where he is an active performer in the local music scene. His drumming reveals the diversity of his influences – the precise, in-the-pocket groove of r&b drummers like Jabo Starks, Clyde Stubblefield, Al Jackson Jr., and David Garibaldi; the power and finesse of rock stalwarts Neil Peart and Phil Collins. We’re glad to have Matthew providing the drive and the groove that powers Moxie's sound. |
Mike Howard (keyboards and vocals)
Mike has been gigging ever since joining his first working rock band while in high school, holding down the keyboards for a wide variety of musical genres. But the classic songs of 60s and 70s rock and R&B remain his favorite music to play, influenced by keyboard heroes like Booker T. Jones, Chester Thompson, Steve Winwood and Felix Cavaliere. Mike was a founding member of the horn-driven rock & soul band, Big Planet Soul, opening shows for classic-era recording artists including The Temptations, The Spinners, The Stylistics, and Martha Reeves & the Vandellas. He now brings his arranging talents and performance experience to Moxie. Mike resides in Greensboro, NC. |
Mark Motlow (keyboards and vocals) Mark is the other part of Moxie’s dual-keyboard battery. His keyboard work enables the music to go from silky and soulful to raw and funky. He joined his first band at the tender age of 12, and his playing over the years has been shaped by early influences that include Elvis, the Beatles, the Rascals, and Steely Dan. No surprise, then, that classic rock and r&b are still his favorite genres to play. Mark and Alan played in bands together for 30 years before joining Moxie, and that familiarity shows in the tightness they display. Mark lives in Lexington, NC. |
Alan Williams (guitar, sax and vocals)
Alan grew up in Lexington, NC, and still lives there today. As with most baby boomers, his desire to play in a band began with The Beatles. He was influenced by the British invasion and the Motown scene along with American rockers from the 60s and 70s. A self-taught guitarist, Alan learned by lifting riffs from Eric Clapton and the great R&B players. He also learned to play the saxophone, making him a musical "double-threat." Alan began playing in working bands in high school, and the core group of musicians from his youth stuck together over the next 40 years in favorite NC bands like Small Talk, Flashback, Party of Four and Second Wind. Joining Moxie was a new adventure for Alan and Mark, and we're so glad they did. Alan's tasteful guitar and wailing sax put the "soul" in Moxie's sound. |