Jerry Bowers

I grew up in California where I studied music and graduated from Fullerton College. I studied privately with world-renowned trumpet teacher Claude Gordon for three years until I went on the road with various groups. I have played with Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo and Dennis Noday. In 1978 I went to Atlantic City with the comedian Rodney Dangerfield . Shortly after arriving in Atlantic City I got married and worked with my wife, Patsy McRae. Together we formed the Patsy McRae Show. As the Patsy McRae Show, we worked in Atlantic City and the Poconos. We also entertained troops for the USO on tours to Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Greenland, Bahrain, and throughout the US. We decided to settle down near Nashville, where I played trumpet with the 101st division Army Band at Ft Campbell. During this time I also played with the Bo Thorpe Band. Since arriving in Raleigh, NC in 1988, I have played with Smothers Brothers, Temptations, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Barnum and Bailey circus and with the North Carolina Symphony as the lead trumpet player for Rosemary Clooney and Tony Bennett. I have also played with the Charlotte Symphony, Winston Salem Symphony, and the Raleigh Symphony.

Ben Shaw

Ben Shaw has been playing trumpet professionally since 1971 and with the Continentals since 1990. Most notable among the groups with whom he has played with are the Fantastic Shakers (1980-1988), the Kays and the Castaways. He's a band member with The Legends of Beach. He occasionally plays with the Holiday Band and has Studio Recording credits with all four bands. In addition to the Beach groups, Ben also plays with the North Carolina Brass Quintet. Ben, his wife and two sons live in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Paul Kreader

Paul has been a great addition to the Continentals band for a number of years. He can be heard playing with various ensembles throughout the Triangle, and was a charter member of the Triangle Brass Band, Paul is an enthusiastic contributer to any ensemble he performs with and the Continentals are proud to have him.

Vic Jordan

Vic, the youngest of Leon Jordon's two sons, has played trumpet with the Continentals since 1978. He began playing trumpet at the age of three and by age five could play recognizable melodies. During his freshman year at a high school in Myrtle Beach, SC, he held 1st chair. Throughout his remaining high school years he played in the Needham Broughton high school band in Raleigh. While in college at N.C. State Vic joined the North Carolina National Guard band and, during his service from 1980 until 2001, rose to the rank of staff sergeant, playing as one of the principle trumpet players in the 440th Army Band. For twenty two-week summer tours, he performed in concerts throughout North Carolina and in a concert series in Morocco, Africa. Vic is married, and he and his wife Aimee have three children - Brad, Will and Emily. Since graduating from N.C. State he has been employed as an adjuster in the insurance industry.

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