Donny Besancenez

Guitar & Vocals

Donny has been playing music since 1964 when his brother "sensed" that he had interest and an ear for music. "My brother went out and bought me a Sears Silvertone guitar and amp. My first band to play with was a band with my best friends called The Teentones. We played at all the pool parties and some of the lodges. Later I played with high school friends called The Welltones. My first real paying job was with them and a very cheap paying job that one was, too. It was at the NCO Club at Lambert Airport in St. Louis. I was so scared that I faced the band during the entire performance instead of the crowd. Later that group became known as F-Troop, a 6 piece R&B band that was known throughout St. Louis for it's soul classics.

In 1989 I joined Bob Kuban for a short time and later formed my own band called Special Delivery & The Overnight Horns. We played many night spots around town featuring R&B sounds and Chicago horn songs. In 1996 I joined Butch Wax & The Hollywoods, left briefly but returned missing my bandmates. I've enjoyed these guys and their music. Thanks for the Crown Royal and great friends!"

Donny's Top 10 Favorites:

Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - The Casinoes
Jungle Love - Time
Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
I've Been Loving You - Otis Redding
You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
The Letter - Joe Cocker
Saxophone in Forest Park - Tom O'Brien
Change My Mind - Delbert McClinton
ANY Don Henley - Don Henley
Soul & Inspiration - The Righteous Brothers

Butch Wax Highlight
Our involvement with "Gotta Go To Work" and The Rams Super Bowl Season and also playing with Johnnie Johnson at The Sheldon Theatre in St. Louis.

Favorite Butch Wax Story
"We were playing at a gig and Elliot "Doc" Simpson came running on to stage right before show time to tell everyone there was free beer. While delivering that news Doc tripped over some speakers and knocked Bob and Me down like a 7-10 split in bowling. It was hilarious and I still laugh every time I think about it".