Then about the time D&M hit the big time, aka “moving to Saturdays”, Gary Ukura says, “Hey Don, I think I could maybe add some drums and harmonies on your stuff”, so then there were three, and now they needed a name. So Don made a list, which included gems like “Don's Early Light”, Cheeko de Gallo, and the ever-popular D-Siders. The CheekTones won in a landslide, and quickly prompted the question, “What is the sound of a CheekTone?”, which has yet to be answered, not in any reel scents...Ines and his fiddle started showing up at occasional gigs, followed by Jimmy Hayes and his Strat. And through all of this, Don’s wife Jane would appear at random intervals to add her distinctive vocals to the mix. And the once-shrinking crowds at CoJo’s began to grow. In December ’08, the band released their first cd, Razorburn; Jimmy Hayes departed; Kenny James showed up with his Tele...and The CheekTones story just keeps evolving.

Playing high school dances and bars around Phoenix (they once auditioned at a go-go bar, the Showgirl, which is now the Rhythm Room—got the gig, but none of them were old enough to play there!), their music evolved from covers of pop music to longer jams and the country-rock of the 70’s. During that time he added bass and piano to his repertoire, and played for several Phoenix-area bands. In 1992 Don found his songwriting voice, and started turning out songs, which range from the alt-country sound of Portales to the driving beat of Beside That Train and the blues-rock of Believe Anything; most of his lyrics have just a taste of humor/satire lurking beneath the surface. After playing solo for a year or two, Don met the musicians that would become The CheekTones, and they’ve been making music ever since.

 Marty Love- Marty Love has been entertaining audiences for over 15 years in and around the southwestern United States and Mexico.  Six years ago Marty switched from guitar to bass and has been backing up and writing songs with such bands as Carnuba, The Sunday Civilians, and of course the Cheektones.

While spending the past decade trying to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for letting him remain 23 till the day he dies, Marty also began piecing together his own recording studio out of a batch of loose wiring that he found on the highway.  In the past 5 years Marty has helped release 6 albums, all recorded in his studio.

As far as what the future holds for Mr. Love, Marty is currently putting together his first solo project, to be called "Ramblin Man", basically focusing on the songs that Marty has written over the past 15 years of playing and performing. He has also been helping a few other local bands in their recording process both in and out of his studio. For more information on Marty visit www.martylove.com .

Gary Ukura-  I was born, raised, and educated in suburban Minneapolis. I've been playing music since I can remember, whenever I could, on whatever was around. I also sang a lot, mostly to records tapes and the radio.  At twenty I picked up the guitar, at thirty I began writing songs. I played drums whenever they were around.  Don had some drums so I started playing those. Now I have my own set. I play them with the JNG Band, too, and sing along.