Bill Pope (Lead Guitar/Lead Vocal)

Bill Pope grew up in Panama City and got caught up in music as a result of the Beatles’ popularity. At that time, the only instrument available to him was the piano in his family’s living room, which he began to play, but this was not a guitar like the Beatles played. With the help and patience of a friend, John Russo, and countless pleadings for a guitar, Bill began to learn to play (both guitar and keyboards) at age 13. At about the same time, because of his interest in surfing, Bill started hanging around a kid named Russell Poyner that lived nearby, who also was learning to play guitar. Bill and Russ began learning songs together and soon picked up a drummer named Ernie Poirier and started doing an occasional gig. This soon grew into a rock band named The Symplex that played regularly during the years 1968 through 1971. Many years passed until 2000, when after Russ’s retirement from the Navy in Pensacola, Bill and Russ got the idea of putting together a rock and roll band like they had in the late 60’s. Playing music, especially with his long-time friend (as well as the other great guys in the band), is something that Bill truly enjoys and has changed his life in a very positive way. The re-introduction to playing guitar in today’s environment with all of the electronic and digital gadgetry, has given Bill new life and has him working harder than ever to "get it right" this time around. Bill will admit that it is regretful when a conflict comes up that prevents the band from getting together for its weekly practice session and particularly seeing what is new and listening to the latest trials and tribulations from his long-time friend.

Russ Poyner (Bassist/Vocal)

"I was born a poor black chi…"* Uh, no, I was born February 12^th, 1953, in Panama City, Florida. I was fortunate to spend all of my formative years there and it was during my junior high and high school days that Bill (Pope) and I started our first bands together. I graduated from Bay High School in June 1971 and from there pursued college life at Florida State University. I made A’s in Marching Chiefs and Jazz Lab. I thought I wanted to be a music teacher, but, after several changes of major (not including streaking), I graduated in March 1976 with a BS in Nursing. In August of that year I was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy and went on active duty in October 1976. I completed a 20-year career in the Navy Nurse Corps but am most proud of the time I served aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71), which included deployment to the Persian Gulf for Operations Desert Shield and Storm. I have a wife and son and, since settling in Pensacola, I have been active in my church music program and have become a supporter of youth soccer. Now employed by the State Department of Health, I devote much of my free time to Touch of Gray, which is comprised of a great bunch of guys who are just having fun making music and sharing it with friends and neighbors in the area. Hope to see you soon.  My thoughts and prayers remain with our military as well as our nation during these unsettling times.

* Apologies to Steve Martin, "The Jerk"

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David Frantz (Guitar/Lead Vocal)

I'm a Pensacola native. I attended Pensacola Junior College and Florida State University and hold a degree in music education. I work as materials manager for a local packaging company. I began playing music at age 16 and formed a group called "The Last Stop". We played at local teen clubs such as The Beacon, Gull Point and The Den during high school and college. I have a great time playing music with a bunch of gray haired guys called "A Touch of Gray".

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Will Nowling (Drums)

When did you pick up music and what did it lead to?

I got into music in the 7th grade when I began playing trumpet in the school band. I wanted to play the drums, but there were too many signed up to do that, so I played the trumpet like my Dad did when he was in high school. I put a rock band together with some of my school band buddies. Nobody in the group knew how to play the drums, so I volunteered to learn. Eight hits on the cymbal, snare drum on 3 and 7, bass drum on 1 and 4 and 5. We played for a Latin Club Banquet (complete with togas!!), then a talent show, and then I was hooked.
 
What band or groups have you been in?
 
My high school group was called "The Ravons". After high school, I was in a group called "The Mods". We played all the regular places around Pensacola, including one place that no longer exists: the Spanish Village on the beach. Then I was in the "Edison Birdcaje". We did a lot of Doors, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, and such. We played places like The Place on Pensacola Beach, frat parties at FSU, Keesler AFB in Biloxi, and numerous other spots. Then I played in the U.S. Army...... I was drafted and sent to Anchorage Alaska for two years. After I came back, I played in a band called "Treebeard". We did lots of Allmon Brothers and blues tunes. Then I joined a group called "Grandma's Remedy" which had an agent in Atlanta and was billed as a "show band". We did the entire Rock Opera Tommy by The Who. That was our show. We were booked all over the southeast and midwest in the larger clubs, sometimes providing warm-up shows for name acts. I did that for several years, travelling quite a bit. After that, I was in several local club bands such as "Trilogy" and "Razz". During this period I was in three long-term gig bands: "Rodeo", a country-rock band that played several years at the Torch Lounge, "Sweet Revenge", which played most of the time at the Tiki Lounge on the beach, and "Sunchase", which played at the old Sheraton downtown (that became the Sherman and is now apartments). After all this I played a few more gigs and realized it just wasn't fun any more. I had loved music all my life, but the day to day workings of doing it as a living had taken the enjoyment out of it for me. I did not play for ten years after that. I began a career in education and was fortunate enough to land in Santa Rosa County (best in the state!!). After nine years in the system, I became an administrator. There was already a group of administrators called the "Santa Rosa Sound" that sang along with caraoke tapes to entertain for school functions. They asked me to join the group because they knew I had played professionally at one time and they wanted to start playing their own music. I have been a guiding member of that group for several years now and the joy of of playing has returned. Which brings me to "Touch of Gray". My friend Dick Boyden who was with me in "The Mods" in 1966 put me in touch with "Touch of Gray" and we've been together ever since. It is a real pleasure playing music with these guys and we always have a great time.
 
 
What is your educational and professional background?
 
B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude
Masters Degree in Counseling and Human Development
State Certification in Educational Leadership

What would you like people who come to listen to us to get out of it?
 
All you can really do in this life is make memories for other people. I love music and want to share that with others. I hope we can make great memories for our audiences.
 
Do you have any personal influences and praises of those who helped you along?

I would have to credit my Dad for getting me into music in the first place because after I found out I had to play the trumpet instead of the drums, I wasn't going to do it. He talked me into it and encouraged me.

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Bob King (Keyboards/Back up Vocal)

Music has been a part of my life for 58 years. I started piano lessons at the age of 5. I minored in organ at Birmingham Southern . I’ve played in bands, played solo and in piano bars. I’ve played church music for over 20 years and enjoy playing music for my own personal enjoyment. I don’t have a particular favorite style of music, enjoying almost all kinds of music. I consider myself most fortunate to be playing currently with ‘Touch of Gray’, five great talented guys with a desire to play music well, and I'm enjoying every minute of it. 

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Rod Gracey (Guitar)

I have loved music as long as I can remember.  As a child, I really enjoyed singing at church in the choir and for special programs.  One of my brothers friends, Bo, played the guitar and my dad [Santa Claus] gave me my first guitar for Christmas when I was around 12 years old.  My brothers friend, Bo, worked with me in teaching me chords and songs. 
 
I was in several rock and roll bands growing up, but none lasted very long.  In college, I played in a band called "RUSH."  this was before the real Rush band was formed.  I recently played not only in the "Touch of Gray" band, but also played in a band that was made up of School Administrators called the "Santa Rosa Sound."  We played mainly for charity,community, and school functions. 
 
I graduated from UWF with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Science.  I then went on and got my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.  I have worked with the Santa Rosa County School district for the past 29 years.  I taught at Gulf Breeze Middle School in P.E., Math, Science and Social Studies.  I then became their first Dean of students for two years and then Assistant Principal for two years.  In 1987, I was given the opportunity to become Principal at Bagdad Elementary School where I served for 18 years.  I have just recently moved into a new position as Coordinator of Student Support Services.
 
I love music and really enjoy playing with a"Touch of Gray." These guys are a very special group of talented musicians that I am honored to be a part of! I hope you enjoy our music as much as we enjoy making it!

God Bless!
Rod

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