"Tales from Thunderbird Ranch"
The debut EP of original music from The Mike Beckerich Collision includes four songs inspired by adventures at Thunderbird Ranch.
The music draws from rock, Americana, soul, funk and the jam scene, with songs rooted in relationships, memories, mistakes, characters and the unexpected turns life takes.
The Players
Mike Beckerich - vocals, acoustic + electric guitar
Mike Beckerich is a songwriter whose music draws from rock, Americana, soul, funk and the jam scene, with songs rooted in relationships, memories, mistakes, characters and the unexpected turns life takes.
In 2025, a collection of Mike’s original songs caught the ear of a producer and opened the door to an unexpected new chapter. What followed became The Mike Beckerich Collision — a group of accomplished musicians whose different styles, instincts and personalities helped shape the songs in ways Mike could not have imagined on his own.
Those songs became the debut EP, Tales from Thunderbird Ranch. The Collision helped bring these songs to life in the unique way they were always supposed to be heard.
Dave Reiss - bass, electric guitar, vocals
An accomplished bassist, lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Dave Reiss brings a deep sense of groove, versatility and musical instinct to The Mike Beckerich Collision. A longtime fixture in the Hudson Valley music scene, Dave performs with the Sam Waymon Trio and has worked across rock, soul, funk and reggae with a wide range of artists and bands.
Equally comfortable holding down the rhythm section or stepping forward with a melodic guitar line, Dave has a musician’s ear for arrangement and knows how to give a song exactly what it needs. His playing is soulful, understated when it should be, and explosive when the moment calls for it.
On Tales from Thunderbird Ranch, Dave contributes both bass and lead guitar, helping shape the record’s foundation while adding some of its most distinctive instrumental moments.
Rich Bozek - drums, percussion
Drummer Rich Bozak is a member of the Sam Waymon Trio, performing alongside the acclaimed pianist, composer and longtime musical collaborator of his sister Nina Simone. A seasoned Hudson Valley musician, Rich is known for his steady groove, tasteful playing and ability to give a song exactly what it needs.
Rooted in rock, soul, blues and funk, Rich brings a deep sense of feel and dynamics to the drum kit. His playing is powerful without being overpowering, providing a strong rhythmic foundation while leaving space for the song and the other musicians.
On Tales from Thunderbird Ranch, Rich anchors The Mike Beckerich Collision with a natural, live-room energy and a groove that helps give the record its organic feel.
Matt Wayne - tenor sax, piano, Wurlitzer, vocal
Berklee College of Music–trained saxophonist and arranger Matt Wayne is a versatile player whose work spans rock, funk, jazz and the improvisational music scene.
Matt has performed with acclaimed instrumental rock band TAUK (link), joining the group at Brooklyn Bowl and contributing his saxophone to their horn-driven live sound. He also appears on the TAUK and Neighbor collaboration “Holy Ghost of New Orleans.”
His musical résumé also includes performances with Pink Talking Fish, Prince/Bowie, the Bobby Deitch Band, and Neighbor, along with extensive work throughout the Northeast music scene. A gifted arranger as well as a player, Matt has written horn arrangements for numerous projects, including Mr. Breakdown’s Shake Daddy Jupiter.
On Tales from Thunderbird Ranch, Matt brings soulful phrasing, energy and color to The Mike Beckerich Collision, adding a distinctive saxophone voice that expands the sound of the record while always serving the song.
Kris Yunker - organ
A powerhouse Hammond organist and keyboard player, Kris Yunker has built an impressive career at the heart of the modern jam, funk and soul scenes.
Kris was an early member of Goose (link), playing and touring with the band in 2016–2017 during an important period in its development, before Peter Anspach joined the lineup.
In 2026, Kris was tapped by acclaimed funk band The Motet (link) to step into the keyboard chair for select performances following longtime keyboardist Joey Porter’s departure — another reflection of the high regard in which he is held among musicians in the funk and improvisational music world.
Kris also leads his own Hammond-driven project, ** Kris Yunker Trio**, built around his signature vintage keyboard sound, deep grooves and formidable left-hand bass lines. His musical résumé also includes work with the Alan Evans Trio, Bearly Dead, On The Spot Trio, George Porter Jr., Karl Denson and numerous other artists.
On Tales from Thunderbird Ranch, Kris brings that unmistakable Hammond organ sound and soulful feel to The Mike Beckerich Collision, adding depth, groove and color to the record.
Jon Schmarak - trumpet, vocals
Multi-instrumentalist Jon Schmarak brings a rare combination of technical skill, versatility and musical instinct to every project he joins.
Best known for his work with jam-fusion band FiKus, Jon has performed on keyboards, trumpet, saxophone, trombone and vocals, making him a uniquely adaptable presence onstage and in the studio. He appears on FiKus’ Mover Shaker and has shared the stage with musicians including DJ Logic, Steve Molitz of Particle and Tim Palmieri.
A formally trained musician with a degree in music education, Jon is also an accomplished keyboardist and educator. He currently performs on keyboards and trumpet with Especially Everyone, an inclusive music organization that combines live performance, original music and music-therapy-inspired programming.
On Tales from Thunderbird Ranch, Jon brings his musicianship and distinctive trumpet sound to The Mike Beckerich Collision, adding punch, color and another layer of soul to the record.
The Soundmen
Producer - Dave Reiss
Hudson Valley musician and producer Dave Reiss brings a musician-first approach to the studio. An accomplished bassist, guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and musical director, Dave has spent years performing and collaborating with a wide range of artists across the soul, funk, rock and reggae worlds.
A fixture of the Hudson Valley music scene, Dave performs with the Sam Waymon Trio (link), working alongside the acclaimed musician, composer and longtime Nina Simone collaborator. He has also served as music director and bassist for the Bobby Deitch Band (link), guitarist for reggae legend Denroy Morgan, and co-leader of the funk band Mr. Breakdown.
As a producer, Dave’s strength comes from his deep understanding of arrangement, groove and what makes a song work. On Tales from Thunderbird Ranch, he brought that musical instinct to the production process, helping shape the songs while keeping the performances natural, soulful and true to the spirit of The Mike Beckerich Collision.
Recorded and mixed - Jon Ciorciari at JRod Productions Studio
Founder of JRod Productions Studio, Jon “Jonny Rod” Ciorciari is a producer, engineer, musician and multi-instrumentalist with more than 15 years of professional production experience. His diverse body of work spans rock, metal, folk, pop and indie music, with clients and credits including Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth of Overkill, Tito Puente Jr., Exodus and Biba Singh.
Jon recorded and mixed Tales from Thunderbird Ranch, bringing a musician’s ear to the sessions and helping The Mike Beckerich Collision capture the organic, live feel and character at the heart of the record.
Additional Engineering - Ryan Ball at The Gearbox
Some tracks on Tales from Thunderbird Ranch were recorded and engineered by Ryan Ball at The Gearbox Recording Studio in Paramus, NJ.
Ryan Ball is the longtime guitarist and vocalist for The Machine (link), one of the country’s premier Pink Floyd tribute bands. A producer, engineer and musician with more than two decades of recording experience, he has also worked with artists including My Chemical Romance, Anthrax and Ill Niño.
Mastering Engineer - Chris Colbert at National Freedom Studio
Tales from Thunderbird Ranch was mastered by Chris Colbert of National Freedom Studio in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
A veteran engineer with an impressive career in recording, live sound and mastering, Colbert’s credits include work with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Leon Bridges, Nicole Atkins, Pedro the Lion, The Walkmen and Midlake. Colbert brought his experienced ear and finishing touch to the Mike Beckerich Collision's first release.