Randy Amborn (Brother Randy) - Keyboard
Randy Amborn has been playing keyboard in bands professionally and for enjoyment since 1976. In addition to 50's/60's rock, he is busy with gigs in jazz and worship styles. He enjoys contributing to the White Bear community and beyond by combining music and philanthropy. Among Randy's favorite artists are Antonio Carlos Jobim, Al Green, Dr. John, and Ray Charles.
Dan Brumm (the Bishop of Bop) – Guitar
Dan Brumm has been a member of the Cruiser rhythm section for twenty-one years. Known in the band as the "Bishop of Bop", he served as Pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church for twenty-eight years. Now in his late sixties, he experienced as a teenager most of the music that the Cruisers play.
Phil Dahl - Vocals
Phil is primarily a vocalist and also provides some of the rhythm instruments and sound effects during gigs. What would Sea Cruise be without the ship's horn! or the anvil in Chain Gang. He comes from a musical family and grew up in the small town of Braham, just north of the Twin Cities. He played and sang in various ensembles and solo work in high school, went on to play baritone in the Minnesota Football Marching band for one season before going into the Air Force. After the service, Phil went on to Bemidji State College, at that time, and sang in the Concert Choir, and was the choir president his last year there. He sang with the Twin Cities Lutheran Singers for ten years before it disbanded and is now starting his 18th season with National Lutheran Choir. He still finds time to sing in the St. Stephen church choir and the Men of Melody at St. Stephen Lutheran in West St. Paul.
Mike Dignin (Sticks) - Drums
Mike doesn't remember when he didn't play drums. He got a toy drum set from his grandpa when he was about 5 - had a real pair of sticks and some lessons done on the basement workbench (from grandpa) when he was in 1st grade (his grandpa was an old school drum corps drummer and teacher). Mike finally got into the Jr High band in 8th grade. He can't think of a style of music he hasn't played; except maybe "Rap" - but he doesn't consider that music. Now retired from a "real" job, he hopes to never retire from music - performing, listening and/or enjoying. He hopes he has conveyed his love for music to his family: wife, Cheryl; daughter, Mallory; son Steve; - and he appreciates all the friends and opportunities that he has been given through the gift of music.
Sandy Knutson – Vocals and Sax
Sandy has been teaching elementary music students for more than 20 years in the Twin Cities. She enjoys having the opportunity to sing with adults! She has always been involved in music - playing piano, conducting or singing. Sandy played saxophone in high school and college so it's nice to get some playing time in with the band. She is mom to two kids, Molly - 15, Ben - 13, making our home in White Bear Lake.
Steve Oanes - Guitar and one time bass player for the Cruisers
Steve started his music career playing an acoustic guitar around the campfire which triggered a 20 year journey in multiple rock & roll cover bands. Some of his bands were Head First, Reel to Reel and Night Louie. In the early 90s he moved off stage to become a sound tech. Besides working with his regular band at the time, he also worked as a house sound technician on call for several Twin Cities nightclubs. The Cruisers opened the door for him to play guitar again and they have let him hang with them for 10 years. Come on out some night to see the band, you never know which guitar Steve will be playing.
Karen Smith – Vocals
Karen has sung since childhood with her claim to fame participation in the New Hampshire All State Choir and membership in the Massachusetts State Champion Sweet Adeline’s. She took piano lessons for four years, until her teacher quit by saying that Karen was wasting her time and her mother’s money! After a brief foray playing drums, Karen is now sticking to vocals. She loves saying she is a “singer in a rock ‘n roll band!” When she’s not singing, Karen works as an IT project manager at Wells Fargo. She is married to the “Big Bopper” and enjoys any time spent as a family with their two grown daughters, Caitlin and Courtney.
Ken Smith (the Big Bopper) – Vocals and Sax
Ken Smith first started performing in front of audiences as a vocalist with the Cruisers. Although he had played saxophone in high school (a long time ago!) it sat in a closet gathering dust for about 20 years. However, since 1990 Ken has started playing primarily tenor sax with the Cruisers and in a variety jazz venues. He took lessons for a number of years with Tom Zosel (until Tom gave up on him) and thoroughly enjoys the community orientation and camaraderie of the Cruisers. During the day he is a research scientist at 3M Company. His wife is also a member of the band and they have two wonderful daughters. Despite earning his Ph.D. at MIT, he is not a *real* doctor.
Steve Sorensen – Bass and Vocals
Steve plays bass and provides vocals (lead and harmony) with Cruisers, Beyond Obscurity (3 piece cover band), and 2 churches (St. Luke in Cottage Grove, Brookwood in Shakopee). He also plays upright bass and vocals for Glory Bound (bluegrass). Steve lives in Woodbury with his wife Peggy and three kids. He is a self employed graduate of Luther College n Decorah, Iowa. He states that he is “an all-around good guy”.
Brenda Steady - Vocals
Brenda has been involved in music most of her life. She started out singing a solo as a 4th grader, a Kate Smith oldie, "When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain", in a Vaudeville show at the school. She started playing the piano in 6th grade. Brenda continues to do both with some dabbling on the organ. She is a Registered Nurse in Home Care and directs a Contemporary Group one Sunday a month at our church, Saint Stephen Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake. Here Brenda chooses, arranges, and transposes the music that we play. Music has always been a part of her life and always will be.
About the Band