ECHO

Steffi May - Lead and backing vocals.
Hailing from Dubuque, Iowa, Steffi May has been singing since she could talk, with music woven into her soul from a young age, thanks to her dad’s Neil Diamond crooning. Now, as a part of Greenville, SC’s thriving music scene, Steffi’s commanding lead and backing vocals blend emotional grit with powerful warmth, helping to drive her band’s performances. Her passion for music has been reignited by the constant melodies in her head and sparked by the greatest encouragement from her biggest fan, Rob May. This fueled her presence on a few local stages through Live Band Karaoke, Rando Idol (the extreme stage generosity of Randomonium), and a Smiley’s Vocal Contest.
In mid-2025, Steffi joined forces with dynamic vocalists and close friends Patty Pae and Kelly Schay, sparked by basement karaoke parties and a shared dream. Backed by four exceptional musicians—the “foundation of every show”—Steffi delivers soaring melodies, aiming to ignite audiences, spark sing-alongs, and make every night unforgettable for their Greenville peeps. Steffi says, “Being part of the ECHO and the musical scene in Greenville has been a rewarding and intense labor of love. I can only hope our audiences will feel the magic that we feel from the stage.”

Kelly Schay - Lead vocals and backing vocals.
Kelly Schay is a dynamic frontwoman known for her bold stage presence and natural ability to connect with any audience. With a background spanning rock, pop, and soul, she has become a recognizable performer in the Greenville music scene, sharing the stage with numerous local artists and serving as a background vocalist with Funky Buddha Band in 2024.

Kelly’s performance style is immersive and high-energy — often stepping off the stage and into the crowd to create moments that feel spontaneous, personal, and electric. Her strength lies not only in her vocal power but in her ability to read a room, drive the energy, and turn familiar anthems into shared experiences.

As co-founder of ECHO, Kelly brings passion, professionalism, and a relentless focus on audience engagement — delivering performances that keep dance floors full and events unforgettable.

Jeff Tewell- Keyboards and guitar  

Jeff began his musical education at age six with classical piano training. He subsequently studied various woodwind instruments and performed in concert, marching, and jazz bands throughout high school. At thirteen, he developed an interest in the acoustic guitar, captivated by its melodic and tonal range. His parents soon provided him with his first electric guitar, a Fender Musicmaster, and a Crate amplifier featuring a headphone jack for private practice. During his high school and college years, as well as for a period thereafter, Jeff played guitar, bass, and keyboards with several bands encompassing genres from country to rock. His principal influences include Rush, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd.

After a hiatus from regular performance during his children's formative years, music remained a source of comfort for him. His return to consistent playing occurred when a friend, who served as the worship leader at his church, invited him to play during a service—an engagement that evolved into regular performances nearly every Sunday. Jeff has since participated actively in the upstate music scene, collaborating with local bands. Currently, ECHO is his primary focus, and he looks forward to continuing his performance career in the future.

Ed Baumann - Guitar and backup vocals

Ed is a husband and father of two from Spartanburg, SC.  His love for music began with the piano and occasional karaoke as a 7 year old.  His first song he learned by ear was the Superman theme song.  Ed began playing the guitar at age 13 and the rest is history.  He is inspired by 80's rock, with influences such as Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Joe Satriani, and Prince.

 Ed has played from worship at church to wedding ceremonies for more than 15 years.  He has a passion for playing and enjoys bringing nostalgia, fun, and energy to people through music.  Whether it's funk, rock, pop, or blues, Ed creates a signature sound that expresses his knowledge and love of music.  He is dedicated to delivering a professional, high-energy performance each time he takes the stage.

Russ DonRussello - Drums / Percussion
Russ brings more than three decades of drumming experience to Essence, delivering the energy, precision, and musicality that anchor the band’s sound. Originally from San Diego, with years spent performing throughout Denver and now Greenville, South Carolina, Russ has played alongside musicians who have toured with major national acts and has shared the stage with well-known artists across multiple genres.
Shaped by influences such as Manu Katché, Neil Peart, Kenny Aronoff, and Carter Beauford, Russ blends technical skill with dynamic feel — creating a groove that’s both powerful and tasteful. His passion lies in the rock and pop classics of the ’70s through the early 2000s, and he brings that era’s spirit into every performance with ECHO.
Whether driving the band with tight, articulate rhythms or adding depth with creative fills, Russ delivers the steady heartbeat that keeps the music moving and the crowd engaged.

David Brandt - Bass & backup vocals - David and his wife Monica recently moved to South Carolina from Colorado. David toured the country in the 80’s with Ground Zero and QUBZ. After raising a family, he performed for many years with My Blue Sky an Allman Brothers Band tribute, Nick of Time a Bonnie Raitt tribute, and with many national and international artists such as Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, Hank Jr.), Joe Bonamassa, and Kara Grainger to name just a few. 
From David: “I am extremely excited to be a part of ECHO, as the talent and up-tempo show will entertain everyone that comes to share this music experience with us.”