Southern Grace Band

Southern Grace is Mark Priest, Debbie Graham, Bruce Wade, Pete Wickham, and John Sirko -- five musicians with very diverse backgrounds. Our individual histories contain Country, Rock-n-Roll, Pop, Heavy Metal, Jazz, and Blues. How we came together is another story, but that unique mix makes our sound something special.

Southern Grace was chosen as the winner of the 1997 Country Music Talent Roundup at Hickory Hills Lake Country Concert in Fort Laramie, Ohio. We were honored to play the main stage with Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels, LeAnn Rimes, Sammy Kershaw, and other artists. The excitement just made the fire burn a little hotter! Since then, we have enjoyed great response to our original work and continue to draw large crowds everywhere we perform. Our fans are the greatest, and we are blessed to have their support!

Southern Grace is five multi-talented musicians with a message:
Music can move mountains and break down barriers. From Central Ohio, we have risen with fire and passion to intrigue and entertain you with our own style of Country Music. We will soften your heart and move your feet, and we will have a great time doing it!

	*Mark Priest - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter* Born in Newark, Ohio. Mark began performing at 8 years old. He has traveled across the U.S. and to New Zealand and Australia. He has won numerous talent contests along with a Nashville songwriting contest, and most recently the Wheeling Islands karaoke contest. His admiration for musicians such as Keith Urban and group Diamond Rio is evident in his versatile vocal style. Mark and his wife Sharon live in Hanover, Ohio. Return to Top
	*Debbie Graham - Keyboard, Vocals* Born in Newark, Ohio. At age 12, Debbie joined the OCWMA and began her singing career winning many contests including 3 Jr. Queen and 3 Queen titles. She attended the annual Disc Jockey Conventions in Nashville and performed at many local clubs and hotels with Nashville studio musicians. She became a regular on the WMNI Country Cavalcade live radio show in Columbus and was a regular performer and Queen at Legend Valley Park in Buckeye Lake. She worked with the Marty Martell band, fronting for Ernest Tubb, and met performers such as Conway Twitty, Faron Young, Billy Crash Craddock and Jim Ed Brown. Debbie lives in Heath, Ohio with her husband Troy and has two grown children. Return to Top Mark & Debbie are first cousins, and this is the first band in which they have had the opportunity to perform together.
	*Bruce Wade - Drummer, Songwriter* Making his statement with a pair of sticks, this powerhouse drummer has a rock-solid style perfectly suited for today's high-energy country music. Born and raised in Central Ohio, he has been playing area clubs with a variety of bands for the last 30 years. Bruce believes in love for family, music, and “living every day like it will be your last.” He lives in Newark, Ohio with his wife Peggy and their two children, Jonathan and Kaylee. Return to Top
	*Pete Wickham - Lead Guitar, Vocals, Songwriter* Born and raised in central Ohio, Pete began playing guitar at age 10. He played guitar in the stage band in High School and sang in the choir before performing live in bands such as Felony, Flatout, Never Too Late, The Jam, and The B.O.F.F. BROTHERS. Pete is also the sole proprieter of an established electronic service company named Wickham Audio. Pete is the father of two grown sons, Rory and Robbin. Pete lives in Thornville, Ohio with Kris, Bonnie, Annie, Charcoal, and Dexter. Return to Top
	*John Sirko - Bass & Vocals* Originally from Detroit, John's main influence on bass was James Jamerson who played all the pre-1969 Motown tracks. Bass was "just what you did" having two older brothers who played. In Detroit, he began playing in wedding and dance bands at the age of 15 and progressed to studio work by age 18, mostly radio jingles and supporting local artists. Since then, he's played everything from hard rock to jazz including a European jazz tour in 1994 and playing at the famed Montreaux Switzerland Jazz Festival. He particularly enjoys "reading gigs" including theater work and also plays in the church choir. John lives in Westerville with his wife Elaine and two daughters, Jen and Emily. Return to Top