Hot Pepper

The versatile sound of the Hot Pepper Band is the perfect band for your wedding, corporate event, or outdoor concert. They can take you from Motown, Frank Sinatra, Funk to Easy Jazz. Hot Pepper keeps the dance floor packed all night. They will gladly learn any song that bride/groom request.
William Driskell (aka Bill “Hot Pepper Driskell”) – lead vocals
Bill is the lead singer for Hot Pepper Band. He started his musical career in Memphis, Tennessee. When he came to Charleston with the U. S. Navy, he made Charleston his home. He sang lead with many bands. Then he and longtime friend Paul Gainey formed Hot Pepper Band. They were the house band for many years at the Radisson Hotel in Charleston.
Jon Padlan – keyboards, background vocals
Jon plays a wide variety of styles from Rock & Roll, R&B, New and Old Country, Pop, Classic Rock, and everything in between. Jon recently moved back to Charleston from Gautier, Mississippi, where he played with the band Centre Stage for 18 years. They were a variety band that played in casinos on the Gulf Coast. Jon’s keyboards bring fullness to the band along with piano, Hammond organ, horn and string sections, and synthesizer.
Wayne E. Daws – lead guitar, lead and background vocals
Wayne has toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada both as a member of the popular Midwest band Lynx and backing drummer Rich Mauro. After settling in Charleston, he quickly became a regular on the local club circuit as well as providing guitar work in theater productions, including “Low Country Legends”, “Rock & Roll Heaven”, and “Soul of the Sixties”. 2000-2012 found him playing corporate events throughout the Southeast and playing a regular jazz night at the popular Charleston restaurant, High Cotton. He is currently studying classical guitar with Clelia Reardon and continues to perform locally.
Drew May – drums
Drew was the founding member of the “Cutting Edge Jazz Band”. They were the featured group for 10 years at the famous “Jazz on the Creek” held at Ronnie’s on Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant. The group was featured band for many of the Piccolo and Spoleto jazz series. The Cutting Edge Jazz Band performed locally and did extensive travel regionally opening for such great names as Al Hirt, Tom Scott and the L.A. Express, Diana Ross, and other notables. Drew played drums with Jazz legends such as saxophonist Zoot Sims, singer Nancy Wilson, local jazz greats Oscar Rivers, Lonnie Hamilton, and Joe Wilson.
Paul Gainey – bass, lead and background vocals
Paul has played with Carolina Band and Legends and Legacy Show Band. He plays several genres of music. He has opened for Jason Aldean, Charlie Daniels, Delbert McClinton, Mark Chesnutt, and Lonestar. He has played beach, top 40, funk, blues, and country.
William Driskell (aka Bill “Hot Pepper Driskell”) – lead vocals
Bill is the lead singer for Hot Pepper Band. He started his musical career in Memphis, Tennessee. When he came to Charleston with the U. S. Navy, he made Charleston his home. He sang lead with many bands. Then he and longtime friend Paul Gainey formed Hot Pepper Band. They were the house band for many years at the Radisson Hotel in Charleston.
Jon Padlan – keyboards, background vocals
Jon plays a wide variety of styles from Rock & Roll, R&B, New and Old Country, Pop, Classic Rock, and everything in between. Jon recently moved back to Charleston from Gautier, Mississippi, where he played with the band Centre Stage for 18 years. They were a variety band that played in casinos on the Gulf Coast. Jon’s keyboards bring fullness to the band along with piano, Hammond organ, horn and string sections, and synthesizer.
Wayne E. Daws – lead guitar, lead and background vocals
Wayne has toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada both as a member of the popular Midwest band Lynx and backing drummer Rich Mauro. After settling in Charleston, he quickly became a regular on the local club circuit as well as providing guitar work in theater productions, including “Low Country Legends”, “Rock & Roll Heaven”, and “Soul of the Sixties”. 2000-2012 found him playing corporate events throughout the Southeast and playing a regular jazz night at the popular Charleston restaurant, High Cotton. He is currently studying classical guitar with Clelia Reardon and continues to perform locally.
Drew May – drums
Drew was the founding member of the “Cutting Edge Jazz Band”. They were the featured group for 10 years at the famous “Jazz on the Creek” held at Ronnie’s on Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant. The group was featured band for many of the Piccolo and Spoleto jazz series. The Cutting Edge Jazz Band performed locally and did extensive travel regionally opening for such great names as Al Hirt, Tom Scott and the L.A. Express, Diana Ross, and other notables. Drew played drums with Jazz legends such as saxophonist Zoot Sims, singer Nancy Wilson, local jazz greats Oscar Rivers, Lonnie Hamilton, and Joe Wilson.
Paul Gainey – bass, lead and background vocals
Paul has played with Carolina Band and Legends and Legacy Show Band. He plays several genres of music. He has opened for Jason Aldean, Charlie Daniels, Delbert McClinton, Mark Chesnutt, and Lonestar. He has played beach, top 40, funk, blues, and country.