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Biography
Timeless Tunes
What we are: Undeniable.
The Essentials are heavily influenced by Classic Rock, Grunge, Blues, and Southern Rock. Their danceable cover songs are well known by all who catch them live.
If you want a group of energetic professionals who look as good as they sound, then The Essentials is your band.
Aaron Raulston is from Jasper, TN and is a well- known and respected drummer in Chattanooga’s music scene. He is the drummer for the world-renowned and locally based progressive rock band, Glass Hammer. Aaron has had the opportunity to share stages with many revered musicians, such as… Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Jimmy Keegan, Alan White, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Tony Levin, Pat Mastellotto, Adrian Belew, John Wetton, and Terry Bozzio. Aaron was also featured in the December 5, 2018 edition of the Italian magazine, Drum Club. When he is not making music with Glass Hammer, you will now see him on stage with The Essentials! Aaron is a proud artist for Solobeat Drumsticks, Punkinater Custom Drum/Pelfrey Drum Works and Heartbeat Cymbals.
Sammi Moore is a soulful, rock & country singer/songwriter hailing from Jasper, TN. She has performed up and down the East Coast from Key West to New York City in various venues and has opened for the likes of The Marshall Tucker Band, Chris Cagle, Big & Rich, James Otto, Craig Morgan, David Allen Coe, John Michael Montgomery, Exile, and The Kentucky Headhunters. She has also placed nationally in several singing and songwriting competitions, including making it to the top 12 in season 4 of USA Network’s Nashville Star. A true comeback story, Sammi is excited to be back to her roots and rocking out on stage.
Craig Philipp started playing bass guitar at the age of 14 in a band called Kashmir. Since then, Craig has played in multiple bands from Ohio to Florida, and just about everywhere in between. Among his credits are recording two extended play discs of rock music with Sammy and the Rejects and Hazardous Waste, a full length album of pop rock with the band LP called “Walk Away,” and a blues album with the Blues Injectors called “Shot of the Blues,” along with a two-disc live concert in Bradenton, Florida with the Blues Injectors. On the two full length studio albums, Craig recorded, engineered, and mastered the albums and wrote or co-wrote most of the songs. His rock-solid bass grooves provide a deep and steady canvas for the rest of the band to color over.
Johnny G has played guitar on stage from coast to coast, North to South, Japan, The Philippines, and even Iraq and Afghanistan. His performance and studio experience speaks for itself, and has performed with Jason Bonham, members of Stone Temple Pilots, Vinny and Carmine Appice, Tony Franklin of The Firm and Blue Murder, members of Rare Earth, Overkill, Candlebox, and former members of Slaughter, ZOSO, The Wildabouts, and others. Johnny’s influences are deeply rooted in the genius of Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Keith Richards, and other Rock & Roll and Blues greats. Leading The Essentials after completing 23 years as an active duty Marine, Johnny is more than ready to “turn up to 11.”
The Essentials is a band of professionals you don’t want to miss.