Band Members
Ron Hotstream - Vocals, Guitar
Ron is a musician, guitarist, songwriter, singer and general weirdo. He also works as a gun-for-hire musician for various New Orleans based groups. He has a broad range of musical tastes from moving around the U.S. as a child with his family and career Navy father, but his family and roots are firmly planted in New Orleans. He majored in classical guitar at The University Of New Orleans, and has been playing guitar for 37 years and teaching music for the past 23.
Photo: Tina Jamieson
Chuck Collins - Drums
A local New Orleans drummer , you’ve seen him on many stages. Chuck plays in a broad diversity of local bands from Classic Country, to Traditional New Orleans Dixieland Jazz, to Blues and Soul and everything in betweeen.
Dance or Die! Ever heard the term solid drummer? Locking in the beat and locking in with the bassman is what Chuck does best. His rhythm and playing style reflect the roots of radio and the hits that we used to hear from back in the day.
Photo: Zach Brien
Steve Lofaso - Bass, Vocals
Steve has been playing music in the New orleans area since 1982. As a member of Ron Hotstream and the F- Holes Steve plays bass guitar and sings harmony and some lead vocals. In addition to performing and recording, Steve is a private music instructor who is currently teaching guitar, bass guitar and voice to over forty students ranging in age from seven to seventy.
Photo: Zach Brien
John DePriest - Banjo, Vocals
John DePriest hails from north Mississippi, where he first started playing banjo and his interest in the variety of American musics developed. After moving to Nashville to study at Belmont University, John played in numerous performing and recording groups of various styles including blue grass, country, Americana, blues, and rock 'n' roll. He has lived on the Gulf Coast since 2008, with the exception of a year living in Berlin conducting research for his Ph. D. in neurolinguistics at Tulane University. In addition to playing with The Mid City Drifters, he plays with several bands around New Orleans, including The Ramblin' Letters, Bacon, Nola County and The Wolves of Harahan.
Photo: Zach Brien
Michael Harvey - Fiddle
Michael Harvey is a New Orleans native who has been a part of it's vibrant music scene for as long as he can remember. He is a versitale instrumentalist, playing fiddle and guitar in diverse styles in several working bands, including The Courtyard Kings, Orange Kellin's New Orleans Deluxe Orchestra, Nola County, The Big Easy Playboys, Johnny Angel and Helldorado, The Ramblin' Letters, and of course, The Mid City Drifters. Harvey is also an accomplished recording/mix engineer who founded his own recording studio, Nola Recording Studios, at the age of 19 while a music student at Loyola. He has recorded and engineered various styles of music, including The Hot 8 Brass Band's 2013 Grammy nominated album "Life And Times Of The Hot 8 Brass Band." His studio clients include a who's who list of great New Orleans artists, as well as work for indie and major record labels. He was also the recipient of The Basin St Scholarship and earned a Master's degree in jazz studies from The University Of New Orleans in 2010.
Photo: Tina Jamieson
Brian Rini - Piano, Organ
Brian is a musician, songwriter, and vocalist who has been active on the New Orleans music scene for over 25 years. During that time he's played with many groups and is quite comfortable working in a range of styles including rock and roll, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, and of course the rich music of South Louisiana. Now he's embracing the authentic country sounds of The Mid City Drifters. Brian also works with several other New Orleans based groups including The Creole String Beans and The Space Heaters.