Red Lipstick Band

Debbie Ankeny has spent the better part of the past 30 years singing, touring and recording with Anne Murray. When Anne decided to tour less and semi-retire, Debbie found herself with spare time on her hands and since music is what she knows best, Debbie decided to pursue her dream to start a local band. For years Debbie and her two sisters-in-law, Patty Hague and Shelly Greimann had been singing together at weddings, funerals and family functions. With their beautiful blend of voices and three part harmonies, it was a natural step to form a professional singing group together. Debbie is back in touch with her roots singing with a band and playing bass guitar. She also plays the viola, which is a great addition to many of the songs the band plays. Her deep, soulful voice can be heard singing many of the lead vocals.

Shelly Greimann has been involved in musical theater and performing most of her life and has trained in New York City with some of the best Broadway has to offer. Singing rock and roll, pop and country gives her a chance to use the great “belting” techniques she learned in NYC. Shelly plays acoustic guitar and also sings lead vocals and harmonies.

You could say Brandon Ankeny has GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). He always shows up to rehearsal with a joke up his sleeve. He is the Baby of the group and Bruce's son. When asked if he would mind joining a group of old people, Brandon said he didn't have anything better to do. He is the band’s resident techie. He plays lead, bass and acoustic guitar, and knows the beginning guitar riffs to every classic song.

Jay Reinders also has GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and was recently inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame. He is a retired high school teacher and has spent most of his life with various bands. Jay is the "icing on the cake". He adds the finishing touches with his guitar, mandolin, banjo and suitcase of harmonicas. Jay has an unlimited repertoire but enjoys blues and rockabilly with a Willie Nelson voice.

	Debbie Ankeny has spent the better part of the past 30 years singing, touring and recording with Anne Murray. When Anne decided to tour less and semi-retire, Debbie found herself with spare time on her hands and since music is what she knows best, Debbie decided to pursue her dream to start a local band. For years Debbie and her two sisters-in-law, Patty Hague and Shelly Greimann had been singing together at weddings, funerals and family functions. With their beautiful blend of voices and three part harmonies, it was a natural step to form a professional singing group together. Debbie is back in touch with her roots singing with a band and playing bass guitar. She also plays the viola, which is a great addition to many of the songs the band plays. Her deep, soulful voice can be heard singing many of the lead vocals.

			Shelly Greimann has been involved in musical theater and performing most of her life and has trained in New York City with some of the best Broadway has to offer. Singing rock and roll, pop and country gives her a chance to use the great “belting” techniques she learned in NYC. Shelly plays acoustic guitar and also sings lead vocals and harmonies.

	Patty Hague grew up listening to rock and roll, singing in front of a mirror with a hairbrush for a microphone. Until raising a family and Hairdressing School got in the way, she had always planned to sing in a band. Co-founding Red Lipstick was a dream come true. Patty is primarily a lead and back-up vocalist with a wide alto and soprano range. She took up playing the congas and hand percussions to round out the band's variety of music genres. Many years of musical theater and dance experience help to enhance her stage presence.

			Bruce Ankeny is Blue Earth's ambassador and a cousin to the girls. They knew he could sing and eventually worked him into the act with a Blues Brothers segment. The fans liked him so much, he is now a Red Lipstick regular. Rehearsals now take place in the basement of Ankeny Furniture (Bruce's family business). Curious customers can hear the band booming all the way out on Main Street.

	You could say Brandon Ankeny has GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). He always shows up to rehearsal with a joke up his sleeve. He is the Baby of the group and Bruce's son. When asked if he would mind joining a group of old people, Brandon said he didn't have anything better to do. He is the band’s resident techie. He plays lead, bass and acoustic guitar, and knows the beginning guitar riffs to every classic song.

			Jay Reinders also has GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and was recently inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame. He is a retired high school teacher and has spent most of his life with various bands. Jay is the "icing on the cake". He adds the finishing touches with his guitar, mandolin, banjo and suitcase of harmonicas. Jay has an unlimited repertoire but enjoys blues and rockabilly with a Willie Nelson voice.

	Sandra Krumholz joined the group in March of 06. She plays keyboards, bass, recorder, sings harmonies and plays percussion now and then. Church music and Theatre have always been a part of her music making, she has a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Music (organ performance) and recently graduated with a Master of Sacred Music diploma from Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Whether its classics, rock, country, blues, Celtic, or folk music - she knows all the chords, and adapts naturally to any genre.

			James Miller started playing drums at the age of 5 with minimal prompting from his father. (Who is the best guitar player in the world! "Props Paps.") His first paying gig was jamming at a hog roast where he played for hog sandwiches and beer. Through the years he has performed and recorded with a few different groups such as Stall 68, The Tin Box Kings, and presently, The Original Unbelievalbe Uglies. His influences include Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Black Crowes, Led Zeplin, Carter Bueaford, Indigenous, Los Lonely Boys, along with many others like James Brown. James not only enjoys live performance and recording but he also plays for a couple of music groups at his local church. Make everyday a 212 day!