Musician Biographies

Larry Eckerling

Bandleader & President,
Momentum Talent Group

Larry Eckerling began studying piano at the age of 5, entertaining his family by easily learning children’s songs by ear. He also studied traditional classical piano, voice, clarinet and viola, later writing and conducting arrangements for the Niles West High School Swing Choir and also serving as Music Director of several musical theater productions there. He received Bachelors degrees in Music Education and in Music (Instrumental and Choral Conducting) from Indiana University, Bloomington. Larry also earned a Masters degree in Symphonic conducting from Indiana University. In college Larry was also one of the principal arrangers for the Indiana Singing Hoosiers and would travel with the group on concert tours. In 2009 Larry received a “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the Singing Hoosiers and in response wrote a new arrangement for them for their current 65th Anniversary! Larry has been the Music Director and Conductor of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra and is Currently Music Director (and Conductor) of the Evanston Symphony Orchestra.

Eric Thomas

Vocals

Eric Thomas began singing in the children's choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he sang his first solo at the age of seven. While in college he joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket choir under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Jackson. Eric traveled and recorded with Rev. Jackson's brother Chuck in an R&B group called the Independents, who had one gold record entitled “Leaving Me”. Eric has traveled all over the world and had the opportunity to work with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & the Pips and many others. Eric can be seen on Rainbow PUSH's weekly telecast where he continues to sing with the choir he loves where it all began.

Sandy Caulfield

Vocals

Sandy's singing career is multi-faceted. In the 1980s she was part of an “all-female” band “Tantrum” which released 3 albums and which has now been re-released as a 2-cd package on the Escape Music label. Sandy has recorded with Dennis DeYoung (Styx), and Survivor. Sandy has also sung in numerous commercials for McDonalds, Kraft, Miller Beer, United Airlines, Budweiser, Kelloggs and Amoco, among others. As a voice-over artist, she has worked for many companies including Time Life Books, Famous Footware and Kraft. Sandy also was a voice-over character for 5 seasons on the PBS children's show “Noddy”. In addition, Sandy has also sung the National Anthem for both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks.

Victoria Dorsey

Vocals

"Vicki" was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where since she was 10 she learned how to sing by listening to Motown, Enchantment, The Emotions, Earth Wind and Fire, Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan, among others. Other influences were rock bands like The Rolling Stones and Heart, as well as jazz legends like Pat Methany and Michael Franks. Some of her favorite recording artists are The Jackson Five, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. Since moving to Chicago she has performed with numerous groups in Chicago. Vicki has also toured with Blues Rock Sensations, Wayne Baker Brooks and the Brooks Family Band.

Dave Dorsett

Guitar

Over the last 30 years Dave Dorsett has played with many of Chicago's finest musicians in a variety of settings, including Free Street Theater and the TV show "That's Chicago". Dave actively performs in clubs and with musical theater productions as well as making recordings for both creative and commercial purposes. Dave has played for or opened for such acts as Danny Ganz, Bill Cosby, The Smothers Brothers, Frankie Laine, Chubby Checker and Jim Belushi. Dave also has taught numerous guitar students in the Chicago area. A lifelong interest in travel has led Dave to seek out indigenous music in countries as varied as Bolivia, Nepal, Iran, Cuba and China.