Bios

We often get asked questions like - ‘Who are you people anyway?’; ‘How did
you ever get involved in this?’ You probably couldn’t find a more diverse
group of individuals but, if they have one (ok, make that two things in
common), it’s that they like to have fun and are willing to devote time and
whatever talent they may have to one common goal - helping the less fortunate
in our community. We offer you a brief personal glimpse of many who make
this whole thing work.

Steve (aka Bubba) and Yuly Park
Born in the US Virgin Islands, Steve spent most of his formative years growing
up in the US and has been involved with music throughout his life. An
accomplished guitarist, Steve’s greatest strength is his song writing - a talent
that is in evidence in his band - The Redneck Mothers. Steve brings his
formidable musical talent to the Bottom Feeders- both in his performances
during the show and in seeking out much of the material for the shows. Steve
has lived and traveled in Mexico for over 20 years. He and Yuly currently
reside in Bucerias. An ‘original’ Bottom Feeder, Steve’s interest in and
compassion for others was instrumental in establishing the direction the group
has followed.
Born and raised in this part of Mexico, Yuly provides the group with the
knowledge of the culture and customs that are vital to ensuring that our
assistance is directed to the most needy of the community. This past season,
Yuly became a regular performer in our weekly shows and, in her other
persona as a ‘Trashy Woman’, certainly excited many of the male members of
the audience.
During the time the Bottom Feeders are performing and throughout the rest of
the year, Steve regularly performs with his band, the Redneck Mothers, at
venues from Puerto Vallarta to La Penita.
Steve and Yuly contribute many hours working behind the scene throughout
the entire year - checking out those who may need help, providing
transportation to individuals who need medical attention and dispensing aid,
through both our food and medical programs.

Arlie and Val Eve
As an escape from Canadian winters, Arlie and Val discovered this great area
when they retired early from respective careers in insurance and education.
For the past 9 years, Arlie and Val have made this area their Winter home,
returning to Ontario, Canada for the Summer. Arlie’s involvement in music,
prior to the Bottom Feeders, was just for personal enjoyment.   After seeing the
Bottom Feeders perform several times during their early years, realizing how
much fun these guys were having and respecting the mission they had set for
the group, Arlie and Val jumped in when offered an opportunity to join them
several years ago.
Val is very much in evidence at the Bottom Feeders shows, where her
personality and tireless efforts are directed towards making sure that each and
every person that comes out to see us has as much fun as possible. But there
is a very serious side to Val’s involvement in the show - when she passes
through the audience with her ‘tip’ box.   This financial support, that goes
directly to the local community, is the primary reason the Bottom Feeders exist.
Behind the scenes, Arlie and Val work with Steve on the music and plans for
the shows, maintain the web site and assist with the community support
programs - checking those who may need help, providing transportation and
dispensing aid through our food and medical programs.
Personal circumstances resulted in Arlie and Val remaining in Mexico for the
Summer of 2006, so they have had a chance to experience the Summer rainy
season and spectacular storms in this part of the world.

Francisco (aka Chico) Gonzalez
Also known by his other nickname ‘El Politico’, Chico, lives in Valle de
Banderas where he works for the Municipal government. In addition to his
regular performances with the Redneck Mothers and other bands in this area,
Chico donates his time to bring his talents as drummer and vocalist to our
shows. Behind the scenes, Chico is instrumental in assisting the group in
identifying and delivering assistance to those in need. Being a Mexican
National, Chico’s knowledge of the economic hardships that many local people
face and how to best deal with these situations is so very important to the work
of the group. In addition to his musical talents, Chico’s winning smile makes
him a favorite among the female members of the audience.

Dick (aka Hudd) and Cindy Huddleston
Making the long trek down from La Penita each Sunday, Hudd, who calls
Oregon home when he’s not in Mexico, joined the group this past season on
bass guitar. While still working, Hudd and Cindy spend several months in
Mexico each year and are very much involved in helping those in need in their
community. Hudd’s interest in music surfaced about 20 years ago when he got
involved in county music through college and small bands. His interest in
music has continued to grow, particularly with Cindy, an accomplished singer.
Thanks to Hudd and Cindy, the Bottom Feeders outreach now regularly
extends to La Penita. Hudd and Cindy return to Oregon for the Summer.

James and Jenny (aka the Bottom Feeder ‘can-can’ lady) Nelson
James and Jenny, who hail from British Columbia, Canada, have made
Bucerias their Winter home for several years. Their interest in helping the less
fortunate in our community was instrumental in James and Jenny offering their
support to the Bottom Feeders. Many will know Jenny from our shows as our
‘can-can’ lady - but, not only does she pass out those unique and marvelous
Bottom Feeder ‘shaker’ cans each week, she does all the work behind the
scenes of collecting empty cans, filling them with just the right amount of beans
or rice (to produce that special rhythmic sound so necessary to the Bottom
Feeder musical experience), and labeling and transporting them to and from
the show each week (she sometimes lets James help). James is also very
much in evidence at the shows, snapping all those great pictures that find their
way on to our web site each week - a not insignificant effort when we get 100+
pictures each week. The sale of our CD’s is a very important source of funds
for our assistance programs and, for the past two seasons, each and every CD
sold has been ‘burned’ by James. James and Jenny return to British Columbia
for the Summer.

James and Susie (aka Hooters) MacMillan
Residing in Puerto Vallarta year round, James and Susie are the mainstays
behind the sale of our promotional products, another very important source of
the funds that support our community effort. Although James is usually found
at his post behind the promotion table, we have coerced him into joining in the
performances from time to time. Susie, in addition to helping with the sale of
the promotional items, is a regular performer in the various skits that
accompany many of our songs. It’s guaranteed that her performances are
memorable - just ask any of the guys in the audience.
Being year round residents, James and Susie help out with our food
distribution program throughout the Summer.

Jack and Carol Coyle
Other ‘fugitives’ from cold Winters in Ontario, Canada, Jack and Carol own a
home in Bucerias where they reside for the Winter. With an interest in helping
within the local community, Jack and Carol stepped up to the plate when we
needed help handling our inventory of promotional items. Working behind the
scenes, they sort, fold, store and made sure we have a supply of our various
promotional items at El Pescador for each week’s show. Jack and Carol return
to Ontario for the Summer.

Ron and Arlene Tackett
Ron and Arlene, who reside in Washington State during the Summer, spend
the Winters in their home in Bucerias. For over 10 years, Ron and Arlene
have operated their own community support program - collecting, wrapping
and dispensing toys to approximately 800 children each Christmas - children of
the most needy families in the community. Arlene does the organizing behind
this, including what she tells us is the onerous task of having to shop for the
toys (Sorry Arlene, we all know better - you love to shop). Ron, in his role of
Santa, is there to greet each child - a pretty formidable task in the 80 F
weather we experience here during the Christmas period.
Regular supporters of the Bottom Feeders for a number of years, Ron and
Arlene were the main organizers of the Bottom Feeders presence at the
Vallarta Yacht Club’s fund raising event the past two seasons - making the
Bottom Feeders known to an even wider audience. They were very ably
assisted by Jim and Susie, Jack and Carol and Bob and Debra. Ron and
Arlene regularly help out with special activities during our shows and, behind
the scenes, assist with our food distribution program.

Al and May Cormier
Al and May are in a category all their own when it comes to defining what they
do to support the Bottom Feeders. While Al may present the more public
figure - the one that the audiences sees - what he does is not accomplished
without a lot of support from May behind the scenes.
Where would one even start when attempting to present a picture of what Al
and May mean to the Bottom Feeders?
Well, we could start with their persona as The Bottom Feeders Dancers. Who
will be first on the dance floor - you got it, Al and May - encouraging others to
get up and join them. Even here, Al may think he is leading but it’s May’s
gracefulness on the dance floor that makes him look good.
And then there’s his formidable musical talent - he very rightly owns the title to
‘The Number 1 Washboard Player in Bucerias’. While he demonstrates his
talent to the audience, one can’t help but note May’s artistic flair in the design
of his washboard.
And now another talent has emerged, his very entertaining and provocative
dancing as ‘Candy Cane’ - definitely a performance that one is not likely to
ever forget. Again, one readily sees May’s artistic talent behind Al’s dress and
makeup for this performance.
What really sets Al and May apart is their demonstrated joy of life. Both in their
80's they are truly an inspiration to us and to anyone who knows them.
Al and May spend their Winters in Bucerias, returning home to Ontario,
Canada for the Summer.

Blaine and Barb Evans
Blaine became a regular with our show during the 2006 season and again joins
us for the 2007 season.   When back in Calgary, Canada during the summer,
Blaine performs professionally with a band at events like the Calgary
Stampede - so we consider ourselves fortunate to have Blaine's talent on
mandolin with us. Barb joins the 'behind the scenes' crew - doing anything she
can to help.

Trish and John Alexander (aka Trish the Dish)
Joining us on keyboard for the 2007 season, Trish is a very welcome addition -
not only because of her talent but because of her great personality. In
addition to playing professionally with a local band, The Redneck Mothers,
Trish is very active in her home community of San Pancho (San Francisco)
including sharing her love of music with the children. Trish and her husband,
John, host a music festival the last weekend of February each year at their
home - bringing the Mexican and non-Mexican community together through
music. John has been very supportive of the Bottom Feeders behind the
scenes - having recorded and engineered our last two CD's. John and Trish
reside permanently in San Pancho.

While this gives you a small, personal glimpse into the principal ‘players’ in the
Bottom Feeders, the ones you may see regularly at our shows, we are very
appreciative and thankful for the many others that support our efforts in
everything from assisting with behind the scenes activity on an occasional
basis to coming forward whenever special circumstances arise.