Our Bios
Lori
Brown — Lead Vocals & Backing
Vocals / Percussion
A Southern Oregon native, Lori has been singing since she could first hold a hairbrush (which she pretended was a microphone).Throughout her schooling in Grants Pass, Lori had seven years of classical voice training and was one of the most gifted singers in choirs for which she auditioned. Gifted with a great ear for music and a beautiful voice, she has consistently received awards for her performances, such as, being the first freshman ever to attend the Oregon State Solo Competition where she place 4th and returned year after year to get 2nd place in that same state competition. Lori also performed in the Southern Oregon Youth Symphony on the bassoon for two years.
After taking some time off for her children, Lori has returned to the stage with renewed passion for her dream. She is the heart and soul of the band and her rich vocals are one of the hallmarks of the Soul Food experience. Besides doing most of the business for the band, she is also currently attending Southern Oregon University in pursuit of a Computer Science degree with emphasis on web design and a minor in voice.
Shawn Moore — Lead Vocals & Backing Vocals / Drums
Born in San Francisco and raising in Mendocino county, where he grew up listening to Ray Charles, James Brown, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Blues, R&B and Soul music. Drumming since he was nine, he started in grade school and never looked back, eventually graduating from Southern Oregon University with a music degree. Singing has always been his passion and over the years of working with many successful bands, he has nearly perfected the art of the singing drummer. In his rich musical experience, he has performed with many notable players such as Michael Vannice (Robert Cray Band), Hal Wagonet (It's a Beautiful Day), Angelo Maurcery (Melanie) and open for Lenny Williams (Tower Of Power).
He has performed with college jazz bands and at the Oregon Cabaret Theater. He is currently the first call drummer for Kirby Shaw's vocal concerts at Southern Oregon University, but most of all, loves groovin' and singin' in this band Soul Food, because it is without a doubt one of the best musical experiences he has had.
Neal Peters — Guitars
Born in the Torrance area of Los Angeles, CA where he started playing trombone in the school band in 4th grade then was drafted into the stage/jazz school all-stars by the 7th grade. As he moved into his teens he switched to guitar & bass. Being heavily influenced by players as diverse as Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Roy Buchanan, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, George Benson & John McLaughlin. Blues, Rock, Jazz, Funk & R&B were what he spent his time listening to.
Neal has been in many successful working bands over the years. In this time he has opened for, shared the stage with & performed with many notable players such as Elvin Bishop, Jefferson Airplane, Lenny Williams (Tower Of Power), Sonny Rhodes, Corky Siegel, Pete Escavito & most recently Rick Derrinder. He is currently performing full time with Soul Food.
Joe Diehl — Guitars / Vocals
Born in San Mateo, California, 2/22/1959. As a young boy, Mom's record collection included Louis Armstrong Henry Mancini & Leonard Bernstein and various dixieland jazz and movie soundtracks. Older sister Robyn's collection included Otis Redding, Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and various soul artists.
At age 19 studied with Tower of Power guitarist, Bruce Conte and eventually played a show with T.O.P. members Stephen "Doc" Kupka and "Rocco" Prestia. Continuing in the 80s to play in a wide variety of projects that included a soul review, a couple blues bands, punk-influenced "art-rock", and many singer-songwriter projects. Moved to Mill Valley, California, in 1989 collaborating with Suzanne Sterling and forming "Skyclad" an experimental original band that performed all over northern Cal. opening for the Counting Crows, Jefferson Starship, Michael Franti, and many others. Also through the 90's becoming a regular at Mill Valley's nightspot, the "Sweetwater" performing with Jenni and Maria Muldaur, Bob Wier, Gregg Allman and Steve Kimock, as well as opening for Train, and Linda Perry.
Mike Gantenbein — Basses
A Rogue Valley resident since 1973, Mike was born an army brat in Missourri and lived in several places in the western US before setting down roots in Oregon. He took up the violin in grade school, but switched to the much cooler bass in mid-high. He's been rockin' in several bands since then, covering a wide range of styles from classical (the Rogue Valley Symphony) to jazz (the SOU Jazz Ensemble, the Pranksters with Tom Reddick & Larry Lewis) to country rock (Jones Bros, Desert Wind) to reggae (Second Nature).
Mike studied for a music degree in college, but ended up combining his musical talents with technical skills and ended up in radio / TV / video production and eventually multimedia. He's taught courses in multimedia and related areas at Southern Oregon University for over eight years and also runs a small recording studio. But his true love has always been music and he couldn't say no when invited to join Soul Food.