Funk Shway

Guitarist Rick Thomas is the frontman for the hard rock band Funk Shway. A Philadelphia native, Thomas was already performing in local bands by his mid-teens and attending the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Music. An early demo won him a Berklee Guitar Session scholarship when he was only 15. He earned another one a year later. Music was the only career he ever thought about. When Thomas was 18 he left school behind and founded Funk Shway with his brother, drummer Mike Thomas, and bassist Matt Hyatt. Other members are guitarist Steve Taylor and drummers Ivan Funk and Daoud Shaw. Each of the members had polished their skills before Funk Shway by working with other groups like the Jerry Garcia Band and Perch. Some of the tunes fans can sample from Funk Shway are "Cool for the Moment," "Up and Down," "Your End," "Sunny-Side Up," and "Die Forever." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide