Colleen Crosson

Lead Vocals and Percussion

Colleen’s musical journey began at an early age, inspired by her paternal grandmother who was a classically trained aria vocalist. Impromptu sessions around the family baby grand singing show tunes and Christmas carols were a common occurrence. Colleen got her first guitar at age 14 and delved into the folk scene, playing coffee houses while still in high school. In later years, she branched out into rock, country, a cappella, jazz, bluegrass, and everything in between. For the past 45 years Colleen has performed in northern Colorado as well as nationally and abroad as a solo artist and as a member of many bands, including The Bob Hollister Band, Rounder, Hot to Go, Our Mothers’ Daughters, Swing Essence, and with husband and jazz pianist, Mark Sloniker, where they perform in a variety of settings, including several times with the Fort Collins Symphony. With her various groups she has opened for Maynard Ferguson, John Prine, David Wilcox, Jonathan Edwards, and Cheryl Wheeler. Coaxed out of semi-retirement, she is excited to be the most recent member of Luck of the Draw!

Julie Hoest

Lead Vocals and Guitar

Julie Hoest is singer and guitarist who, as a solo artist, performs songs in the style of contemporary folk and blues. She has been performing in Colorado and nationally since the 1980s. Julie has played at several festivals including the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival and the Grand County Blues Festival. She is also a member of the legendary Mother Folkers. Julie has been influenced by a wide variety of musicians ranging from the early blues pickers of the ‘30s and ‘40s and jazz singers such as Ella, to present-day artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Tim O’Brien, Bruce Cockburn, Joni Mitchell, and Richard Thompson. Julie is very excited to be singing with Luck of the Draw…a departure from what she typically does musically, and pure joy to sing the songs of Bonnie Raitt.

Reggie Boyd

Lead Guitar and Vocals

Reggie is new to the Ft Collins music scene and hails from Cheyenne Wyoming. Although now working as a lead/rhythm guitarist and singer, his experience goes far and wide.  "I feel like I've just about done it all". He started his musical journey as a bassist. Working throughout high school and college in swing, jazz, country, and rock bands, what really hooked him was opening a concert at the Kansas State fair in 1970 for the Canadian band "The Guess Who". After college he moved to New York, spending a couple of years on the road with the band "Freeway" where he transitioned to the guitar. After returning to the Midwest, he was a founding member of the band "Lix", who still performs together with 2027 being their 50th  anniversary. His guitar influences vary greatly from the blues greats of the 3-Kings (B.B., Albert, and Freddy) to Rock legends Eric Clapton & Ritchie Blackmore and even the all-around greats of Robben Ford, Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour. He is very excited to add his talents to Luck of the Draw!

Eric Sunness

Bass and Vocals

Born in New York and into a musical family, Eric Sunness developed a love for music at an early age. His grandfather, Sam “Sunny” Sunness, was a drummer and leader of a touring vaudeville act in the 1930’s. His Father, Uncle, and older brother Ben, were all accomplished drummers. Eric played drums from the age of 9 to 16. His childhood experiences growing up in a house filled with jazz music helped and shaped his musical journey. A burning desire to play music with his older brother led to a switch to the electric bass in 1976. Since that time, Eric has played in a variety of Rock, Rhythm and Blues, and Country bands throughout New York, Michigan, and Colorado. Eric’s ultimate musical passion is learning how to play the acoustic upright bass and helping to create a groove that makes people want to move and smile.

Ian McCargar

Drums and Vocals

Ian has been playing the drums for over 50 years. Mesmerized by the grainy black & white images from Ed Sullivan’s TV show in February, 1964, Ian’s ear was permanently glued to the radio as the British Invasion swept the planet. Like lots of Midwest kids, Ian idolized the 60’s and 70’s pioneers of pop music. Ian built his chops in small combo’s, and perhaps is best known in Northern Colorado as the percussion engine behind Kenny Cordova’s band from the early-90’s into the mid-2000’s. Ian has a keen ear, and his performance style leaves space for others to stand out. The amazing pool of talent in Luck of the Draw is a perfect fit for Ian.

Ken Stockton

Keyboards and Vocals

After a friend showed him how to play the blues scale back in high school, Ken has been playing music ever since.  Starting with the blues, he’s played many different styles — classic rock, prog rock, jazz, Motown, funk, folk and country.  As it happens, three of Ken's biggest keyboard influences (Bruce Hornsby, Bill Payne, and Jon Cleary) have played with Bonnie, so it is with great joy and appreciation that he gets to follow in their footsteps and play such great music with the talented musicians in Luck of the Draw.

We would like to acknowledge and celebrate two folks who contributed mightily to the establishment and initial momentum of this project.  They are:

  • Kathleen Strong - lead vocals
  • Paul Yeagle - lead guitar and vocals