The Eclectics

You can’t walk down the street with Ron Pope without getting stopped by adoring fans. Yes, he’s a brilliant guitarist with over 45 years of experience on the Chico music scene, but he’s also a rock star teacher whose commitment to young people has earned the adoration of so many students and parents in our community. Ron honed his chops playing in Great Scott and Breakaway, two of the first bands to play the Concert in the Park. He was one of the founders of Inspire school of Arts and Sciences and since retiring two years ago, continues to volunteer his support for students in the Recording Arts. He has an incredibly patient wife, Ria, who puts up with his ever-growing amp collection, a talented singer/songwriter daughter who goes by Aubrey Debauchery, and a son, Preston, who is a recording engineer with Def Leppard.

Bassist, Kevin Sears has been with the Eclectics since their previous incarnation as a group of four guys with four guitars. Eventually, Kevin decided that was one guitar too many. He decided to switch to bass and hasn't looked back since. Lawyer by day and musician by night, Kevin is thrilled to be living his dream of being part of a band, especially one with such talented people. When he's not fighting for his clients or rallying his friends to attend gigs, he enjoys hanging out with his family and friends. His hobbies include playing poker, cheering for the Dodgers (yes, Giant's fans, he knows) and traveling with his wife.

Darryl Smith is surprisingly intelligent and thoughtful, for someone whose hobbies include hitting things with sticks. Darryl is originally from Canada—which worries the rest of the band, who fear he may be deported soon—but has lived in Chico long enough to lose his accent. Darryl started drumming in Great Scott and Breakaway around 35 years ago, so he’s had a lot of time to practice. In fact, he’s the only member of the band who never screws up. Darryl has been studying Kenpo Karate since 1976 and is a fourth degree black belt. Unlike many drummers, Darryl is employed, teaching math at Butte College and CSU, Chico. His remarkably supportive wife of 28 years, Cathy, allows him to practice in their home.

Becky Brown got a start singing in church, but soon found out the secular stuff was pretty fun too. Becky started playing on the Chico music scene about 15 years ago, as a singer/songwriter in PanPan and Royal Crown. She sings and plays guitar in the band, and took up harmonica a few years ago, to the chagrin of her dog. Around seven years ago, Becky came on board at Inspire School of Arts and Sciences and loves integrating music into her English and History of Rock classes. Becky is married to the guy who built her prized mahogany guitar, Eudora, and she has two daughters, Emma (book-lover and poet) and Helen (brilliant singer/songwriter) and a stepdaughter, Molly, with whom she loves to sing.

Though he’s an English professor at CSU, Chico, Matt Brown hasn’t been able to escape his hillbilly roots. He was a Yuba City boy who thought he wanted to drive a tractor for a living, but managed to get sidelined into the humanities. Because of his background, he’s the “little bit country” in the band’s rock and roll, playing a mean telecaster that he built himself. In addition to building guitars, Matt is a talented woodworker who just finished building a beautiful 19-foot sailboat. He intends to be sailing every minute he’s not teaching or playing guitar. Matt is married to his bandmate and shipmate, Becky Brown, has two stepdaughters, Emma and Helen, and a twelve year old daughter, Molly, who sometimes sings with the band.