NW Sugar Shakers

has been performing professionally since the age of 6. Her love of music spans generations and genres. As a child she competed on the Paul Revere and the Raiders show "Happening" with her band "Paula and the Pipsqueaks." They played weekly at Portland High Schools, County Fairs and Grand Openings in the Portland Area. As an adult, Maria may be best known as lead female vocalist on a locally produced show called "The Band Practice".  Maria's repertoire includes Big Band, Jazz, Soul, Pop, and much more. She regularly performs with The Providence Stage Band and can occasionally be seen fronting Portland R & B Band "Homebrew."  Maria was snatched up by City Nights Band in April of 2013, performed at popular casinos and venues until the band's dissolution.  She, Tim and Doug reformed as NW Sugar Shakers, and Maria gives 110% at every show.

discovered a passion for music at a very early age. His first album was "Introducing the Beatles," which he got for his 5th birthday. At the age of 6, an accomplished guitar playing cousin sent him and his older brother some albums which included "Sgt Peppers LonelyHearts Club Band," Buffalo Springfield "Again," Jimi Hendrix Experience Axis "Bold As Love," and The Ventures "Walk Don’t Run." The bug had bit him.  Robert is from Arizona originally, and while living there, he played in the Noel Kirkland Band (Noel Kirkland was the touring keyboard player for Glen Campbell for many years).  He still flies to Arizona from time to time to play solo acoustic shows, as well as occasional solo shows in the Portland area.  Robby's great guitar chops, his commitment to making every song sound right, and his overall good nature are central to NW Sugar Shakers sound and personality.  When available, Robby also gigs with local Portland country band Deadbeat Dixie.

has played bass and guitar in various bands in Southern California and Oregon over the past 30+ years.   He started on the upright bass in elementary school & picked up the guitar several years later. He has toured Canada and the Southwestern U.S. He now plays in several Portland/Vancouver bands including the Northwest Sugar Shakers. Over the years he has played gigs and/or shared the stage with Frank Hannon from Tesla, Curtis Salgado, Jefferson Starship, Kansas, America, Classic Rock Allstars (including Fergie Fredericksen of Toto, Denny Laine from Wings, and Randy Meisner from the Eagles), Brad Gillis of Night Ranger, Pink Martini, Patrick Lamb, Johnnie Limbo and the Lugnuts, Tommy Tutone and many others.  His clean, funky precision on the Bass keeps NW Sugar Shaker's groove solid and irresistable.

grew up in a musical family, the son of a professional musician, in Los Angeles.  He began playing drums at the age of 8 and studied under greats like Joe Pass and Art Pepper.  He joined the seminal LA hardcore punk band "Fear" and toured the world for over a decade, including Fear's still-notorious Saturday Night Live appearance on Halloween of 1981 (tape of which has only recently become publicly available). When not on the road, he was producing local LA artists, including an up and coming LA band named “The Red Hot Chili Peppers” (he produced the independent release and demo that landed them a recording contract). Through his career, Tim has performed with such artists as Nina Hagen, Lydia Lunch, John Belushi and Beat Kwashi as well as toured with Dick Dale. His solo album (released under “Sol-I”) “Leap Before You Look” took 1st place at the 2004 Just Plain Folks Independent Music Awards as Electronica Album of the Year. With his experience and unique musica history, Tim keeps NW Sugar Shakers' groove driving and the crowd energized.

first began playing the piano at age 5.  After 10 years of classical lessons, he decided he preferred rock and roll and wanted to be the next Elton John.  During those years, he also picked up the bass guitar and taught himself to play.  Stardom wasn’t in his cards, but he did go on to earn his bachelor’s degree in music (and later, a master’s degree in theology).  He started his professional music career as a studio bassist in Spokane WA.  Later, he managed a Spokane recording studio and produced numerous local artists.  Since then he has played with various bands and artists around the country.  Most recently, Doug played keyboards backing singer Chris Lloyd, entertaining audiences around the NW.  He is proud to be the keyboard player for NW Sugar Shakers—which includes former Chris Lloyd drumer Tim Leitch, as well as a new cast of musicians who take the music to a whole new level.  On the side, Doug can often be found playing bass with various bands in Portland’s burgeoning country music scene.