THE DRIFTER KINGS

Band Members

Chris Whitney-Guitar/Vocals

Tony Harp-Bass/Vocals

Doug Oscard-Drums/Percussion

Biography

The Drifter Kings are a contemporary blues/roots band who perform original and creatively arranged blues classics in a wide range of styles from Piedmont to Delta to Chicago.

The Drifter Kings were winners of the 2009 River City Ohio Blues Competition and they represented the Blues, Jazz, and Folk Music Society of Marietta at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, where they went on to become a semi-finalist act.

The Drifter Kings' debut CD, "Diamonds On The Desert Floor", was produced by Alligator recording artist Michael Hill. The CD was nominated by the Blues Foundation of Memphis, Tennessee as a top-5 finalist at the 2011 International Blues Challenge and has been receiving airplay on stations across North America, South America, and Europe as well as being honored as a “pick to click” on Sirius/ XM’s “B.B. King’s Bluesville”. It was also featured as a winner of Blues Revue Magazine’s “Sponsor the Bands Contest” in the May/ June 2011 issue.

The Drifter Kings have opened for Candye Kane, Roomful of Blues, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Little Ed and The Blues Imperials and Tab Benoit to name a few.

The Drifter Kings just released a new CD called "Daddy Long Leggin'", it's a five song EP of all original songs. Since it's release it has been getting airplay on radio stations in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia.

Chris Whitney

Guitar/Vocals

Christopher Whitney is a native of Columbus Ohio and has been a staple on the Columbus music scene since the late '80s. He studied jazz guitar at Ohio State University, and has performed extensively in the genres of rock, blues, country, and classical music. He and his wife own and operate a music studio/art gallery in Clintonville, Ohio where they teach guitar and piano to music lovers of all ages. In addition to his teaching activities, Chris has written, arranged and recorded original music for many projects, including the score for the feature film A Genesis Found, and several bands including Madrigal, Local Color, Freight Train, Erica Hughes and the Well-Mannered, and his Rockin’ Trio. Chris has shared the stage with The New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms.

Tony Harp

Bass/Vocals

Tony Harp was raised in Sallisaw Oklahoma. His love of music began when he picked up the alto sax in elementary school. As his interest in the instrument blossomed he began to study under Joe Davis (Doobie Brothers, Freddie King) at Northeastern State University. Tony eventually received a degree in Music Technology from the University of North Carolina Asheville. Tony developed an interest in the bass guitar and has been playing and performing for the past 25 years. He has worked with a number of well known artists, including blues great Kenny Neal and Steve Amedee of the Subdudes. Tony moved to Columbus Ohio in 2017 and he is now the newest member of The Drifter Kings.

Doug Oscard

Drums/Percussion

Doug Oscard is a founding member of The Drifter Kings and comes to the project with a musical pedigree. Originally from New York City, Doug started playing drums when he was 10 years old and studied with studio/Broadway drummer Roger Mancuso. After graduating from Ohio University, he studied and was managed by the world-renowned studio drummer Gary Chester. As a full-time working musician in New York City, Doug played on many national commercials, Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway shows. He was signed for three years to Carrere Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros./Reprise Records with the NYC band The Method which toured Europe. He has toured most of the USA with acts such as Luther Allison, Johnny Winter, Big Bill Morganfield, Bo Diddley, Joe Weaver, Joey Dee, Gary US Bonds, Zoot Sims, Jeremy Steig, Bobby Lewis, Alex Chilton (The Box Tops), Eddie Brigati (The Young Rascals), Johnny Rivers, Little Anthony (The Imperials) and many more.