A chance encounter in an antique store led to the introduction of a new band in town. The band‘s sound is unique and consists of largely original music. Easy Creek plays what might be called grassy country rock. Bluegrass, country, blues and classic rock are blended to create a toe-tapping, get-up-and-dance, hootin’and hollerin’ good time.

All in the band are local musicians; Lowell Miller (rhythm and vocals), brother Jeff (rhythm guitar, keyboard and vocals), Mike Crook (guitar and vocals), and Jesse Ratcliff (bass and vocals) are from Tipp City. Drummer Chuck Lee is from New Carlisle and Mike Werner (harmonica, percussion) is from Huber Heights. Finally, singer and lead guitarist Mark Sowers is from Vandalia.

The band has a wealth of talent; the Miller brothers had played as a duo in California for several years while Sowers had played in a band called the Jammers. Playing behind his back or picking with his teeth, Mark makes the lead guitar come to life. “Mike and Mike” have been playing in various venues for a while; Werner penetrates the soul with his harmonica and Crook refreshes the mind with his acoustic picking. Chuck has tapped on his drums with several others and keeps the heartbeat of the band steady. Jesse, the youngest, brings a mean bass into play. Everyone in the group writes their own lyrics and music, helping each other to finesse the sound and tweak it to perfection.

All agree that the band is like family. The many aspects of the band are discussed and voted on. Werner mentioned that he had played with others but that this group “are like brothers. We agree to disagree and get it done without bruising each other.” The rest of the band echoed the same sentiments. 

The band got their start by accident. Lowell, Mike and Chuck met at a garage sale. They found common ground and jammed to get a feeling of each other. The other band members drifted in over time; Jeff moved back from California and both Mikes arrived at different times to add their talents. Jesse joined in to complete the group.

“Memory Road,” written by the Miller brothers, is a song from the past about riding in their father’s pick-up truck. “Neon Women” is about meeting women in bars and getting into trouble. Written by Jesse, it makes the listener wonder what happened. Several of the songs reflect events in the various lives of the band. Both happy and sad, their music is a reflection of living life in the real world. 

Easy Creek recently competed in a battle of the bands at Stubbie’s in Vandalia. They reached the finals and had a face-off against Boondah this past August. One band played a ‘grassy country rock and the other, a rock funk jam. Two bands, two styles and, several hours later, Easy Creek came out on top. The win put a few dollars in their pockets and gave them a day’s worth of recording time at a local studio.

The name of the band? It happened while Chuck, Lowell, and Mike were taking a break during practice, commenting how easy it was to play together. Lowell looked at the creek that flows behind Chuck’s house and said that their music flowed “as easy as the creek.” The rest will be history.

This is one local band to keep an ear out for. The music and personalities of the group just might get them to Nashville or Branson.

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