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Payne & Trouble
Who We Are

Ralph Payne
Started drumming way back as a kid banging on pots and pans in his mom's kitchen. He segued to actual drums, performing with bands in California and Oregon before lending his name to Payne & Trouble. Being drawn to vocals, he learned the guitar and performed with multiple bands. In his day job with a California company, Ralph started a group with co-worker musicians performing at company events and functions.
Debra Payne
Started playing acoustic guitar in high school and learned to play electric bass with a heavy metal garage band. She sang vocals in various start up bands but when she began working at the same company as Ralph, fates were destined to cross. Ralph asked if she would do a duet with him in the company talent show not having heard her sing a lick. Their duet performance was a hit. Ralph and Deb started performing together, adding changing combinations of musicians to the mix, performing as a duo, trio and full band. They performed throughout the west coast and, after moving to Colorado, performed across the Front Range in fairs, rodeos, events, concerts, clubs, weddings, corporate events, parties, having return engagements for multiple years. After a number of years in Trouble, Deb became a Payne. Trouble was a rotating roster of talented musicians with Ralph sometimes playing drums and sometimes guitar (but never at the same time!).
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Tim Walden
Started playing guitar at the age of 13 when a cousin showed him a song. Next was church folk choir, high school jazz band and various projects that emanated from someone's garage or basement. He took a break from playing in bands to concentrate on work and family, picking up performances for periods of time at church. Tim plays guitar, electric lead, bass and mandolin. Since relocating to Georgia, Ralph would hear local performers and feel the urge to hit the stage again. Once Ralph connected with co-worker Tim, they realized a shared passion for guitar, harmonies and music. The trio now performs acoustic arrangements of country and rock tunes, emphasizing harmonies and utilizing Tim's skills on a variety of stringed instruments.