Who is The SPECIAL EDITION Band?

Special Edition is a premier Dallas party band that takes great pride in being able to offer a great variety of musical styles–performed by seasoned musicians–to its clients and listeners. Specializing in everything from Dance/Pop (Top 40), R&B, Rock and Jazz to Country, Funk and Hip-hop, The Special Edition Band is available for weddings, private parties, corporate events and club dates and will customize an array of musical preferences for each client or venue. The group is primarily available in nine, ten or eleven-piece configurations, featuring amazing vocalists, full rhythm section, and a spectacular horn-section.

The ever-growing list of satisfied clients includes: The Dallas Cowboys, The Dallas Margarita Ball, The Arlington Margarita Ball, Dallas Arboretum, Texas Discovery Gardens, The Dallas Country Club, Dallas Casa, Northwood Club, The Room on Main, The Four Seasons Resort, The City Clubs of Dallas and Fort Worth, The Tower Club, The Hotel St. Germain, The Trophy Club, Westin Stonebriar Hotel, The Warwick Melrose, The Park City Club of Dallas, and many, many others!

The Special Edition Band delivers the highest quality and most stylistic versatility of any musical unit available, with an extreme attention to detail and client service.

BRANDI SMITH: Vocalist
Brandi’s career in the entertainment industry began at an early age in the film and television industry in Los Angeles, including recurring roles on shows such as “The Wonder Years,” Who’s The Boss?” and “Fatal Friendships.”

Soon Brandi discovered her real passion in music. Starting with national tours with the “Young Americans,” Brandi honed her craft as a lead vocalist and stage performer. Subsequently Ms. Smith began to focus her efforts on Country music and began traveling to Nashville where she was employed songwriting and recording with some of Nashville’s industry leaders. Through her association with West Coast Music, Brandi also spent several years performing with and for artists and celebrities such as Kate Beckinsale, Fergie, Josh Duhamel, Kevin Costner, Pete Yorn, Chad Michael Murray, Sophia Bush, DJ AM, Wynonna Judd, Larry Carlton, Michael MacDonald, and many others.

In 2007, Brandi shifted to another side of the entertainment business and launched an event production company, “High Society Event Planning,” which continues to produce both social and corporate events in the LA/Southern California area and beyond. Brandi Smith began performing with Special Edition shortly after her arrival in the DFW-area in early 2020. She is also co-owner of “Society Music & Sound,” a variety-band that provides talent for high end events, and is also co-owner of “SMITH,” a much sought after Country-Pop-Rock band based in Orange County, CA.

TIFFANY LARSON: Vocalist
Tiffany originates from Northern CA, and received her B.S. degree from UC San Jose. She relocated to the DFW-area in 2010. She performed with Special Edition for lengthy tenures in 2014 – 15, 2016 – 17 and then returned again in 2021. Prior to and in addition to her times with Special Edition, Tiffany Larson has fronted numerous other highly visible bands such as Inside Out, Big City Outlaws, Mars Hill, Inversion Band and many others.

In addition to her powerful and versatile voice (including soul, rock, blues, jazz and rap), Ms. Larson consistently brings energetic, theatrical and charismatic stage performances, and an exceptional ability to connect with audiences in every setting. With a wide life-experience and skill-sets outside of music, Tiffany has served in U.S. Air Force, and is also a trained dental hygienist, an accountant and marketing strategist.

D-MAC: Vocalist / Percussion
A professional singer and former MCA recording artist with MAC BAND, D-MAC lends his sultry, soulful vocals and powerful percussion across many genres of music. D-MAC has extensive experience as a recording session singer, as well as in composing and arranging music for radio, TV and media. D-MAC appears all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth region with popular bands (notably Special Edition, The FM Band, Tin Man Band and Mark Harper) in local hotspots as well as private parties and weddings.

One of the joys in his life is singing with his brothers in “The McCampbell Brothers” gospel band. D-MAC has been an influential musical presence serving on worship teams at various high-profile churches in the Dallas-area, including a lengthy stint leading worship for the contemporary service at Stonebridge United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas.

His impact on the surrounding community extends to tennis instruction and teaching basketball and leadership skills to children through his “D-MAC’s Hoops Camps.” When not performing, D-MAC is also employed as an athletic specialist/trainer at Lifetime Athletic Club in Plano, TX.

CHEYENNE GEARY: Vocals

Cheyenne knew as a young child that music was her calling, and some of her earliest and fondest memories include listening to and making music with her family. As a teenager, Cheyenne’s love of music blossomed while studying piano with her grandmother, Alice Davis. During her junior year of high school she was awarded the Paderewski Medal by the National Piano Guild. Prior to her post with The Special Edition Band, Cheyenne Geary has performed and traveled with a wide array of other bands based in the DFW-area, such as The Roof Raisers, Mr. Inez Band, The Wonders, and Spinout. When she’s not performing, Cheyenne teaches voice and piano lessons, and one of her greatest sources of joy is sharing her love of music with students! Cheyenne resides in Denton with her husband John and her puppy dogs, Sierra and Diesel, and her two kitties, Shady and Tango.

MATTHEW JOHNSON: Vocalist / Guitar
Born and raised in Texas, Matthew Johnson’s earliest formative musical experiences lead to studies at the prestigious University of North Texas School of Music. Shortly after college, Matthew moved to Los Angeles where he formed his critically acclaimed, progressive rock power trio, Doctor M. During his time in LA Matthew Johnson collaborated, recorded and performed with the rock band Great White, and even co-wrote several of the band’s hit songs. Eventually Matthew accepted an invitation to assume lead guitar position with Great White for extensive tours of both the U.S. and Europe. When not on tour Mr. Johnson also held a steady “house gig” in Manhattan Beach, which put him in weekly contact jamming and recording with some of the world’s most renowned rock/pop and studio musicians.

In 2007, Matthew returned to Texas, accepting a tour offer from Austin artist Patrice Pike, of Sister Seven (on Arista Records). Patrice had just appeared in the 2006 CBS television show, Rock Star: Supernova. Following a four year stint with Patrice Pike, Mr. Johnson reconnected with Great White, and spent most of 2012 and 2013 playing sold out shows all over the US and Canada.

Since returning to the Dallas area, Matthew Johnson has also been actively involved with its local/regional music scene, with artists and bands such as Redbone, The Molly Maguires, May Lee Thomas, Filet of Soul, Texas Flood, and more. He is also continually active as studio musician and producer for album projects, film/media and commercials and jingles. Mr. Johnson performed for three years with Special Edition in 2014 – 2017 and then returned in 2020 to bring his unique persona and blend of skills to the SEB stage!

JOHN ADAMS: Band-leader /
Manager / Bassist / Arranger
As an accomplished acoustic and electric bassist, John Adams is one of the Southwest’s most versatile and in-demand musicians. Adams holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas, where for ten years he was the jazz bass instructor. He is also active as producer, arranger, composer, music contractor, lecturer and workshop clinician. Since 2005 he has led the “Special Edition Band,” a high-energy, eclectic party/dance band.

Through his bassistonline.com website, John provides bass parts for recording clients of every musical genre ranging across the US, as well as internationally. He has backed and/or recorded for a wide array of artists from vocalists Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Phil Driscoll, and Wayne Watson, to jazz artists such as Woody Herman, Randy Brecker, Marvin Stamm, Joe McBride, Bobby Lyle, Carl Fontana, Chet Baker, Clark Terry, Dave Liebman, and others. His broad musical background has also included symphonic and pit/show work.

Through his independent Congruent Music label, Adams has released eight highly acclaimed and widely varied CD projects, including “John and Mark’s Excellent Rock Adventure,” (2012), and which is not only enjoyable to listen to, but also includes a unique instructional/play-along component. The seven jazz CD projects have received radio airplay on over 160 stations nationwide, and have been prominently featured on various online radio formats. Each of these projects presents the listener with unique originals, stunning arrangements, and various instrumentation combinations, each with a compelling musical rapport.

ROB EADS: Keyboards / Background Vocals
Keyboardist Rob Eads has been playing music professionally since the age of 15. A graduate of East Texas State University (now Texas A&M, Commerce), Rob received his bachelors degree in music composition. After graduating, he toured regionally for a few years as keyboardist with the rock cover band Impact, but eventually continued graduate work in music composition at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Following his graduate work, Rob settled in Dallas and began a career in advertising, including recording and producing dozens of jingles for radio & TV. He currently works as the Production Manager at Call-Hold Marketing, an advertising group specializing in on-hold audio messages for clients nationwide.

Rob continues to lead a varied musical life, including work as a trombonist, as well as arranging marching band music for high schools and colleges, and arrangements for brass quintets, jazz bands, brass choirs, handbell choirs, and song transcriptions for songwriters. Additionally, he has continued performing on keyboards with local bands including Special Edition, The Champagne Yacht Club, Buffett Beach and Mattison Live.

TERRY ROBERTS: Drums
This East Texas native born and raised to play music, Terry Roberts has been a drummer and percussionist for over 35 years. Terry is also a multi-instrumentalist performing professionaly since the age of 16 as well on keys, guitar, and bass. He has had the opportunity to play with and for high-level musicians and artists, in a wide variety of venues and genres during his career. In 2003-2007 Terry toured nationwide with several bands as well as long-standing engagements on Carnival and other cruise lines. He has also had the pleasure of running his own organizations, bands, and recording studio such as NST (Never Say Tomorrow), Twisted Rhythm Experience, and his current company “Toneal Productions,” which produces music for media and advertising.

Terry’s explosive energy, technical abilities, locked in grooves and tasteful musical interpretations have made him a unique performer. Since joining The Special Edition Band in 2022, Terry has continued to bring the same energy, love and passion for the music and arts that have consistently marked his career.

…and meet our spectacular, smokin’ Horn-Section, THE SPECIAL EDITION HORNS:

DON BOZMAN: Trombone
Don Bozman holds music degrees from Midwestern State University and from Michigan State University. During his college years he was a member of both the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Following his studies, Don toured with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, as well as national tours of “The 1940’s Radio Hour,” “The Student Prince,” and “The Desert Song,” and other productions.

Once settled in the Dallas-area, Mr. Bozman joined and eventually was leader of “Dallas Brass & Electric,” which for 20 years was one of the region’s most heralded party/cover bands. Mr. Bozman has also held leadership posts in church music, and has been playing trombone and arranging for the Daystar Television Network since 2004. In addition to playing in Special Edition, Don Bozman performs with the Dallas Jazz Orchestra and numerous other units. His free-lance work has included performances with legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Wayne Newton, Pearl Bailey, Louis Belson, Bob Hope, B.J. Thomas, and many others.

DEVAUGHN DURHAM: Saxophone
A native of Dallas, DeVaughn Durham is a creative and professional young artist, having recently graduated from the Jazz program at University of North Texas, where he also played in the 1:00 Lab Band (one of the top college ensembles in the world). He began playing in the 6th grade, even though saxophone was not his first instrument choice.

Soon after beginning on saxophone Devaughn encountered the musical world of Jazz, and has been fully engrossed ever since. During his studies in High School he took part in many different musical competitions and workshops, and eventually made the Texas All-State Jazz band. Prior to his graduation from North Texas, Devaughn had already begun contributing back, taking various music teaching positions, including being on staff at the HAPCO Music Youth Arts organization. Along with his work as a member of Special Edition, Mr. Durham also does freelance work with various other bands and projects in the DFW area, as well as fostering his own Jazz group project.

PETE CLAGETT: Trumpet
Pete Clagett has performed, toured, and recorded with a wide variety of jazz musicians and pop artists. He was a member of legendary artist and Blue Note records producer Bob Belden’s acclaimed and creative group Animation, which recorded and performed throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Following a groundbreaking tour to Iran in 2015, the group garnered press in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald and other prominent press outlets. Based in the DFW area, Pete maintains a busy career as a freelance performer, soloist and recording studio musician.

Mr. Clagett holds degrees from the University of Miami (Coral Gables) (B.M.) in studio music and jazz and the University of North Texas (M.M.) in jazz studies. As an avid educator as well as performer, he has held trumpet workshops throughout Texas and in Hawaii, performed at conventions of International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) and Jazz Education Network (JEN), and taught in various school districts. Pete Clagett is currently on faculty at the University of Texas – Arlington. His sizzling lead trumpet style and fluid Jazz skills have made Pete a potent and welcome asset to the Special Edition horn section.