About Us

The Kerrville Classics started as the Kerrville Jam Band 7 years ago when three talented musicians with more than 100 years of combined band experience joined forces to play favorites such as Elvis, Willie, Jimmy Buffet, Johnny Rivers, Creedence, Merle, Del Shannon, George Strait, Tony Bennett and many more. 

Lead singer Steve Pickels, with his smooth tenor voice, sang in Houston clubs for more than 30 years with various classic rock bands like Eight Track Mind and Pinball Lizard.  They also played great dance music for private events, weddings and reunions.  

On keyboard, trumpet and back-up vocals is John Verbraken, who spent the first 30 years of his music career as a band/choral director in Wisconsin, where his band played weddings, parties, resorts and sports venues.  John got smart and moved to Kerrville 15 years ago and enjoys all the music opportunities of the Hill Country.  He has played in several country bands, Worship teams and has directed the Kerrville Jam Band for 7 years.  

Playing guitar is EC Willman who you may recognize from his featured cover on The Rod Kennedy Kerrville Bluegrass and Country Music Festival at Quiet Valley 25th Anniversary issue or the many Texas Arts Fairs he’s played for 20+ years.  E C started playing with the Kings of Kingsville during his college years, moving on to bluegrass with Poverty Playboys, swing with JuraZZic Cowboys and country/blues with Texas Cattle Guard.

These three love to engage the audience and entertain. In fact, you can find the Kerrville Classics entertaining at the Pint & Plow brewery as well for residents of Hilltop Village, Juniper and River Point each month.  The residents say that their music is the best therapy they could ever get! 

The Kerrville Classics is proud to add vocalist/guitarist Sharon Cross to the band. Sharon has experience with Worship teams, college marching band, and entertaining with a trio. She also studied classical guitar for many years and has a wonderful finger picking style that fits in our ensemble well. Her vocal talents include Bob Dylan, Lori McKenna, Anna Nalick and many others, as well as harmonizing with lead singer, Steve, adding another dimension to our Classics Show.

The Kerrville Classics play a wide variety of styles from 60’s classics and vintage rock to old standards and show tunes to country favorites.

We would love to entertain at your event and we tailor our music selections for the occasion.

 John's Equipment Setup:

Yamaha CK61 Stage Keyboard

Alesis SR-18 Drum Machine

TC Helicon Perform-VK Ultimate Vocal Processor

Yamaha STAGEPAS 600i PA System

Carvin Pm15a Powered Stage Monitor

Getzen Renaissance C Trumpet

Yamaha YFL-222 Flute

MobilSheets for Android Tablet (all players)

GoPro 12 Black Video Recorder

Canon PowerShot SX40HS Digital Camera

ZOOM H1 Digital Audio Recorder

Adobe Premier Elements Video Editing

Adobe Elements Photo Editing

Band-In-A-Box 2023 (creating tracks)

Finale Songwriter (writing notation/lead sheets)