Many  people ask us, “Why did you name the band Complimentary Nuts”?  We started as a fill-in band for another band that was notorious for canceling gigs at Lake of the Ozarks.  During one of those gigs, we decided we needed a name.  Each set, we chose a different name.  We were almost “Space Junk” but “Complimentary Nuts” is what really seemed to appeal.

Our mission statement is simple but rare.  We play good music, popular or not.  The radio has pounded us with enough with the same corporate "hits" that we’ve all heard for the past 30 years.  We hope we’re a little more in depth than that and not so predictable.  If you like us, tell the manager of the club.  They like stuff like that and we don’t mind either. 

Sticks, Drums & Vocals

James “Sticks” O’Neal is the drummer and the founding member of the band.  Sticks is not only the drummer, he also sings lead, sings back-up, plays guitar occasionally, and hauls a lot of equipment. Sticks started playing drums in his father’s country band in Nebraska at the ripe age of 13.  I mean REAL country, not the stuff on the radio today.   While playing with his father’s band, he started a rock & roll  band called Fish Naked.  Both bands cut CDs for personal achievement purposes.   Although Sticks claims not to be able to "WOW" anybody with credits, he might just  have a profound effect on anyone who hears his rhythmic precission  and his smooth tenor vocals.  As both friend and task master, Sticks is the driving force behind the Complimentary Nuts.  He is tireless in his efforts to promote and book the band.

Dave Payne- Trumpet, Keyboards & Vocals

Dave was born in Phoenix, AZ and raised in Joliet, IL. Dave majored inmusic at Illinois State, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and JolietJunior College (Joliet, IL) where he played trumpet in big bands of all 3schools. Dave received the Outstanding Lead Trumpet Award at the 1984 ElmhurstCollege Jazz Festival (IL). Dave also received the outstanding Jazz BandsmanAward as well as the Eldon R Lewis Memorial Scholarship in 1985.           
Dave began his career with Carnival Cruise Lines where he played leadtrumpet and later led the 11 piece Atlantis Orchestra aboard the MS Jubilee.Dave was also a featured vocalist with the group.    Dave played lead trumpet with the Glenn Miller Orchestra backing BobbyVinton at the Blue Velvet Theatre in Branson, MO. Dave was also one of theband’s arrangers as well as one of Vinton’s backup vocalists.        
Among the other acts Dave has worked with in his career are The LawrenceWelk Orchestra, The Platters, The Modernaires, Dick Haymes, Jr., LouiseMandrell, The Temptations and Kenny Rogers. Dave is now presently performing with Complimentary Nuts.

Ed Tucker- Bass & Vocals

Music has always been a major interest to Ed, who was raised in the St. Genevieve area of the Missouri Ozarks. He revealed his musical talents when he started playing guitar at age eight with lessons before age ten.  By Junior High School, he was playing the trumpet and trombone in the High School band, and later played trombone in the Rolla Marching Band and Bass in the Jazz Band. At age fifteen, he was well on his way to a lifetime of music when he began playing in his first "gigging" band.     Another major talent began to emerge by age seventeen when he started repairing his own guitars, branching out to repairing instruments for clients by the age of twenty. As his clientele grew, he repaired guitars for several guitar stores over the years. While in Chicago, he particularly enjoyed working at Washburn Guitars doing final set-up.  Ed started building guitars and bass in 1999, and has built several unique styles.  Often in his off time, he could be seen carving on a beautiful piece of wood until the image of a guitar would appear.    Watch for his latest creation, The Nut Bass.    In 1996, Ed and his family moved from Chicago to central Missouri for the less stressful life at the lake.    Over the years Ed has had the pleasure of playing in many venues throughout the Midwest, playing a wide varity of styles including country, rock, hard rock, oldies and blues.        "I really enjoy playing with the Complimentary Nuts and love watching people have a good time with the fun music we play."

Keith Lanig

Keith Lanig began playing guitar at age six.  By sixteen, he had his union card and was playing clubs in the St. Louis area.  He has performed with his own bands and has backed artists including Chuck Berry, Jewell Aiken, and Boo Boo Davis.  Keith has played rock, country, blues, gospel, and even a summer of musical theater.  He served in the Navy and is an alumnus of the University of Houston.  Right now, he's NUTS!