Our Edge

Shawn has over 50 years of musical experience across a variety of genres, including classic rock. He began his musical journey at the age of six, taking lessons in drums, accordion, and trumpet. His interests quickly expanded to include guitar, bass, and mandolin. As he honed his skills, Shawn performed in numerous settings such as accordion bands, school bands, marching bands, stage bands, theatre, church, and rock bands, engaging audiences that ranged from fifty to thousands during live performances. After decades of playing, he had the opportunity to craft his own brand of high-end custom acoustic guitars and became the owner and luthier for Zoe Guitars. Following years of equipping other professional musicians, Shawn decided to step away from the workbench and return to the stage, creating a North San Diego cover band focused on delivering fun, upbeat, and quality music. Currently, he shares lead vocal duties and plays lead/rhythm guitar, and still hops on the drums from time to time.

Sally began piano lessons at age five and studied classical piano through her teenage years, building a strong musical foundation she has never left behind. About fifteen years ago, she transitioned to keyboard, expanding her sound beyond classical music and into a wide range of contemporary styles, including classic rock. Although she never pictured herself in a rock band, Sally quickly discovered a passion for the energy, creativity, and challenge of playing with a full band. Along the way, she also took on the challenge of learning harmonica, adding another expressive dimension to her live performances. She now brings both precision and feel to the stage, blending her classical background with modern rock performance as part of a North San Diego cover band, and she loves every minute of it.

At 61 years young, Christina is living proof that it’s never too late to rock. Growing up in Texas surrounded by music—her dad, cousins, aunts, and uncles were all musicians—her love for classic rock has stayed with her throughout her life. While she’s played various instruments over the years, the drums have always been her first love. Five years ago, she returned to them, and there’s been no looking back. Christina thrives on the challenge of learning new songs, reliving the music she grew up with, and bringing big energy and heart to every live performance. Being part of a North San Diego cover band is truly a dream fulfilled, and she’s grateful to share the stage with musicians who are not only incredibly talented but also a lot of fun to be around. Rock and roll, baby! 🥁🎸

Don brings more than 30 years of experience and a deep passion for live music to The Smokin' Ocotillos. He’s played with several local bands and performed at venues across San Diego County. Though he enjoys a wide range of genre - rock, blues, country, jazz, and metal - Don is especially drawn to the blues-infused rock of legends like Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

His first rock concert was KISS at age 11, but it was the soulful blues-rock of Jimmy Page that ultimately inspired him to pick up the guitar a few years later. Don’s playing blends the gritty energy of ’70s and ’80s rock with a melodic, blues-driven style that fits perfectly with the music we create in the Smokin' Ocotillos.

Whether locking in a solid rhythm or breaking out a solo or two, Don brings passion, musicality, and decades of seasoned experience to every performance.

Sonny’s musical foundation began reluctantly with childhood piano lessons—a chore he would have gladly traded for skateboarding, but one he has since grown to cherish. Always an eclectic spirit, he bypassed the popular guitar in favor of the banjo before picking up the saxophone in junior high, where his natural aptitude saw him promoted from "beginning" to "advanced" band in a single week.

In high school, he was one of only three musicians selected from the Philippines to perform in a Honor Band youth orchestra. This momentum carried into his years with the Cal State Northridge marching band, where he played both saxophone to trombone, playfully dubbing himself a "Saxorbone" player.

Sonny’s versatility extends far beyond traditional brass and woodwinds; he has played the Irish whistle, harmonica, recorder, and he maintains a substantial collection of Australian Aboriginal didgeridoos. 

A couple years ago, Sonny was asked to play bass for a Hawaiian band. His only hurdle? He wasn't a bass player. After a bit of arm-twisting, he picked it up and was hooked! 

Now, he’s fully immersed in a passionate whirlwind, proving that sometimes the best instruments are the ones that find you.