Ramon Gonzalez Jr | Greg (Stubby) Westbrook | Peter Wilber | Jenny Zastoupil
Ramon Gonzalez Jr - Vocals, Keyboards, Fiddle
Ramon Gonzalez Jr was born and raised in Sterling, IL. At the age of three, he started taking piano lessons at the Earl Ricker Studio. There Ramon studied all aspects of piano, including music theory and composition. When he turned seven years old, Ramon showed interest in the violin. The school system had no orchestra program at the time, but his parents wouldn’t let that slow him down. Ramon studied privately for years, and when the school finally picked up the orchestra program, he continued studies both through the school program and privately until graduation in 1984. Ramon’s vocal training came through years of choral performance at the local church, and with the school’s choir groups. He was always very active in Sterling’s local music scene, performing with the Illowa Chamber Orchestra, various Musical Plays Orchestra Pits, and any and all competitions held in the area. In 1982, while a sophomore in high school, some friends from the school choir recruited Ramon to play keyboards and fiddle for his first band, Country Breeze. After being exposed to the immediate satisfaction of live club performing, Ramon knew it would be his calling. He turned his violin into a fiddle, and has been thrilling audiences with renditions of Orange Blossom Special, and Devil Went Down To Georgia ever since.
1985 saw a relocation to Virginia Beach, VA. Along with the change in address, came a change in musical styles. It was there that Ramon got his first hands on taste of Top 40 Dance, and what is now called 80’s Rock. He performed all around the Tidewater area with Whiteline. He landed his first road job with Hits in 1987. He then toured up and down the eastern seaboard. The band also backed Classics IV vocalist Dennis Yost for awhile, where Ramon met and worked with Dennis, "Tossin’ and Turnin’" Bobby Lewis, "Peppermint Twist" Joey Dee and The Starlighters, and "The Worst That Could Happen" Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge. The band then did some time on the cruise ship circuit, working from Bermuda to South America, and L.A. to Mazatlan, MX. After eleven years, the band called it quits. Band mate Earl Davenport and Ramon went on to the next phase, Stampede.
Ramon and Earl started auditioning musicians for Stampede in early 1998. By March, the band had the lineup complete, and started a house gig on the eastern shore of North Carolina. At the end of summer, Stampede went out on tour covering GA, NC, FL, VA, PA, MS, TX, IA, WY, OH, MN, WI, ND, SD, CO, AZ, and NM. Over the next eight years, the band would perform and make friends all over the country.
In January of 2006, Ramon moved to Fargo, ND. He joined The Great Outdoors. Now he gigs every week, touring only a few weeks out of every month. His off time now is spent writing songs, gathering contacts, and running his publishing concern, Sydney Skyler Music.
Greg (Stubby) Westbrook - Drums
On drums from Grant, MI is Greg Westbrook. Greg started playing in the school band in the 5th grade and on through high school. After high school he studied under Rupert Kettle, a renowned drummer from Grand Rapids, MI. Greg gigged with a few local rock bands before performing with some bigger acts through-out Michigan such as The Gordon Thayer Band and Highlander. During this time he had the opportunity to share the stage with Confederate Railroad.
Greg has also had the opportunity to work with Dusty Burke on his debut album, "Boys Will Be Boys" recorded at The Sound Emporium in Nashville, TN. He picked up a lot of pointers from the pros behind the mixing console during these sessions. He also had the pleasure of working with some of Nashvilles most respected writers, and studio musicians.
In 2005 Greg joined Stampede where he met Ramon. He has been with The Great Outdoors since January of 2006. Greg plays Pearl drums, Sabian cymbals, and Evans heads.
Peter Wilber - Vocals, Guitar
On lead guitar, lead and harmony vocals from Grand Forks, ND is Peter Wilber. Peter has been playing guitar since he was ten and has been performing live for the last ten years. He was a member of Zen Mothers, an original touring band which released two albums and toured as far as Pennsylvania to the east and Arizona to the west.
Peter more recently has toured with J Bobby Hamilton, and Grand Forks based Mischief.
Peter’s smooth guitar style and voice make him a fine addition to The Great Outdoors.
Jenny Zastoupil - Vocals, Bass
From East Grand Forks, MN comes Jenny Zastoupil on bass. She has been around music her entire life. Jenny started playing bass in her family band The Night Walkers as a teenager, gigging all around western North Dakota, Montana and the surrounding areas.
Jenny, along with fellow Outdoorsman Peter Wilber, has worked with country artist J Bobby Hamilton and with many other regional bands the likes of Dakota Skyline (top 40 and eclectic rock) Derringer (classic covers) and Whiskey Sam. Jenny Z most recently worked with the Brian Bailey Blues Band.
Jenny is a nice compliment to the front line. She has a nice strong voice perfect for belting out songs from Gretchen Wilson, Terry Clark, Trick Pony and the Dixie Chicks. She also is quite adept at keeping the bottom line. Just don’t ask her to stand still!
