TIM MOREHOUSE - LEAD GUITAR AND VOCALS

Tim began playing guitar 40 years ago at age 8, making his first public performance fresh out of high school in 1977 with "Cobra," a 50s & 60's genre group. He also played guitar and sang in "Niteline," and went on to perform with several various country and rock bands throughout the 80s.

During the early 90s, Tim played with the Nite Trax Band, and shared the stage with other notable local musicians in other groups including "Mad Vinny," a band Tim formed while simultaneously performing with local favorite "Cousin Eddie." Weekly practice sessions and countless gigs in smaller bars really paid off and Cousin Eddie soon achieved widespread popularity, playing larger venues and bigger paying gigs including stints at the Delaware County Fair opening for headlining names the likes of Paul Revere & The Raiders, Rick Springfield, the "Honky Tonk Tailgate Party", and others. The band packed the house every appearance making it the most popular area group and a huge hit with local bar owners! A two year run at "Marion by Moonlight" drew crowds exceeding 3000 fans, and Cousin Eddie was always a favorite at Manchester's "First Friday at Five."

Not one to rest on his laurels, when Cousin Eddie called it quits in 2007, Tim continued to hone his guitar skills and decided it was time to form THE SWAMP CATS in the winter of 2008.

KENT MOORE - LEAD/RHYTHM GUITAR

Kent began performing while still in high school with Windfall Jac, the band he formed in 1975 with other West Union area musicians. The band gained regional notoriety performing at schools, ballrooms & clubs throughout Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota & Wisconsin and recorded several demos including early versions of Kent's songs "Looking For You", "Backstage Blues", "Satellite" & "Found A Girl".

Kent played guitar & sang with Windfall Jac until 1983 after which he launched Moore Talent Agency, booking Iowa acts such as Billy Janey & the Mississippi Band as well as promoting shows by Rare Earth, Black Oak Arkansas, Head East & others. After short stints in a succession of bands, Kent joined Crystal Axe where he contributed guitar & arrangements on two LPs on the Catamount label. In 1995, Kent was also invited to play bass for Cub Koda (of Brownsville Station) at the Wadena Rock Festival. Kent eventually left Crystal Axe along with the band’s bassist to form a new group called ‘The Basics.’ The group performed together for 13 years until 2003. When The Basics cut back on their touring schedule in 1997, Kent accepted an invitation to play bass in ‘Pearl Street,’ performing 3-4 times a month whenever The Basics schedule permitted.

After ‘The Basics’ disbanded in 2003 Kent formed the short-lived group ‘One 80,’ and now has found a new home as a featured guitarist and arranger with The SWAMP CATS.

MIKE JOHNSON - BASS GUITAR AND VOCALS

Mike got his first 6-string when he was 11 years old, and also played drums in the school band. It was right about then that one of his church choir-mates taught him the 12 bar "boogie woogie" progression on the piano...which in a 'round about' way led him to the bass guitar.

However, the radio business came calling, and Mike started a successful DJ business called "Music By Request". All the while though, something was missing. While continuing to play guitar and write music for his own enjoyment, he DJ'd several weddings, school dances, class reunions, countless bars, and one his favorite events...car shows. Then, Tim Morehouse stopped by one day and asked if he wanted to start a new band.

His musical infuences include Jimmy Buffett, Johnny Rivers, Elvis, Willie Nelson and Wilson Pickett, just to name a few, and anything recorded at Sun and Stax in the 50's and 60's.

When Mike isn't performing, you'll probably find him either listening to music or at an event featuring live music, cheering for the Hawkeyes and Packers, and spending time with his wife Gretchen, twin sons Sam and Isaac, and daughter Maddy.

TADD MOORMAN - DRUMS AND VARIOUS OTHER NOISES

Tadd began drumming around 1976 at the age of 4, banging on pots and pans on the kitchen floor. He then progressed to a toy bass drum and Blue Bunny ice cream tubs before getting the first "real" drum set at the age of 7. By then, his 13 year old uncle was playing guitar, and the "basement jam sessions" began.

Songs by Boston, Rolling Stones, Rush, The Who, and of course the Beatles were the early influences being practiced. His first live performance was in 1982 with his uncle's high school band Mirage at the Ryan Days talent show. Tadd also was in high school marching and concert bands, and a couple of "Garage Bands" performing at parties, etc.

His post high school band wrote a few original songs, and recorded a demo tape, but did not gather much momentum. It was then he hooked up with the former Nite Trax band, and formed Cousin Eddie (with current guitarist Tim Morehouse.) Cousin Eddie played from 1993 through 2007 at various bars, fairs, and festivals throughout Northeast Iowa. Now, after playing a gig with two days notice (thanks Tim), he is the newest member of the Swamp Cats.