Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS) is a Southern rock band from Doraville, Georgia, that began in the early 1970s as the house band of the Studio One recording studio. The current line-up is Rodney Justo, Steve “Clean” Stone, Justin Senker, David Anderson, Rodger Stephan and Lee Shealy. More than twenty musicians have been members over the years.
The band had its greatest chart success with Ronnie Hammond as lead singer from 1972 to 1982. Below is every current member, the members of the classic line-up, and then the other former members, with instruments and years.
Rodney Justo – Lead Vocals (1971–1972, 1983, 2008, 2011–present)
Rodney Justo was the band’s original singer, previously of the Candymen. He left after the first album, Atlanta Rhythm Section (1972), to work as a session singer in New York, returned part-time in 1983 and filled in during 2008, and rejoined permanently in 2011.
Steve “Clean” Stone – Guitar, Backing Vocals (1986–present)
Steve Stone joined in 1986 on bass, switched to guitar when he returned at the end of 1988, and has played lead guitar since 2006. He has appeared on every ARS release since Truth in a Structured Form (1989).
Justin Senker – Bass (1992–2011, 2014–present)
Justin Senker replaced J. E. Garnett in 1992. He left in 2011, the year founding bassist Paul Goddard rejoined, and returned in 2014 after Goddard’s death.
David Anderson – Guitar, Backing Vocals (2007–present)
David Anderson replaced Alan Accardi in 2007 and plays rhythm and lead guitar.
Rodger Stephan – Drums (2016–present)
Rodger Stephan replaced long-time drummer Jim Keeling in 2016.
Lee Shealy – Keyboards, Backing Vocals (2020–present)
Lee Shealy was a touring substitute from 2017 to 2019 and joined full-time at the beginning of 2020, replacing Dean Daughtry.
Ronnie Hammond – Lead Vocals (1972–1983, 1988–2001)
Ronnie Hammond had been an assistant to Studio One’s engineer before replacing Justo in 1972. He sang on the band’s biggest records, left in 1983 for a solo career, returned from 1988 to 2001, and died in 2011. With All Due Respect (2011) was dedicated to him.
Barry Bailey – Lead Guitar (1971–2006)
Barry Bailey was a founding member and played on every release from the debut album to Live at Stabler Arena (2005). He left in early 2006 and died in 2022.
Dean Daughtry – Keyboards (1971–2019)
Dean Daughtry, formerly of the Candymen and the Classics IV, was the band’s last constant member, playing on every ARS release. He retired in December 2019 and died in 2023.
Paul Goddard – Bass (1971–1983, 2011–2014)
Founding bassist Paul Goddard left at the end of 1983, rejoined in 2011 and stayed until his death in 2014.
Robert Nix – Drums (1971–1979)
Robert Nix, another former member of the Candymen, left in 1979 after Underdog, citing creative differences. He died in 2012.
J. R. Cobb – Rhythm and Slide Guitars (1972–1986)
James “J. R.” Cobb, formerly of the Classics IV, joined on rhythm guitar by the time the debut album was released and stayed until 1986. He died in 2019.
Other Former Members
- Roy Yeager – drums (1979–1982)
- Danny Biget – drums (1982–1983)
- Tommy Stribling – bass (1984–1986), rhythm guitar (1987–1988)
- Keith Hamrick – drums (1984–1986)
- Andy Anderson – lead vocals (1984–1987, 2001–2011, plus substitute spells in 1999 and 2000)
- Jeff Logan – lead vocals (1985)
- Sean Burke – drums (1987–1995)
- Shaun Williamson – lead vocals (1987–1988, substitute in 2008)
- J. E. Garnett – bass (1988–1992)
- Brendan O’Brien – rhythm guitar (1988)
- R. J. Vealey – drums (1995–1999, until his death)
- Jim Keeling – drums (1999–2016)
- Alan Accardi – guitars (2006–2007)
- Steve Croson – lead vocals (substitute only, 2008)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the current members of Atlanta Rhythm Section? Rodney Justo, Steve Stone, Justin Senker, David Anderson, Rodger Stephan and Lee Shealy.
- Who sang lead on Atlanta Rhythm Section’s hits? Ronnie Hammond, lead singer from 1972 to 1982 during the band’s greatest chart success.
- Who were the founding members? Rodney Justo, Barry Bailey, Paul Goddard, Dean Daughtry and Robert Nix, with J. R. Cobb joining on rhythm guitar by the time the first album came out.
- Is any original member still in the band? Yes. Original singer Rodney Justo rejoined in 2011.
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