MACHAIRA
Machaira in Greek means SWORD.
The band has claimed from the Bible- Hebrews 4:12 “The word of God is living and active and sharper than a dual edge sword”. Based out of the Sacramento CA area, Machaira is a 10-piece representing a broad range of diversity transposing into a musical stew. As a contemporary Blues/Rock/Gospel group, they blend rhythm and harmonies with a horn section creating music that speaks to audiences of all ages.
Playing a variety of styles and having released seven recordings on CD and working on their eighth, they have also been blessed with a series of music videos and their own show called Live At Machaira’s House
Meet The Band Members
Dennis Hulbert
Bass Guitar and Accordion
Dennis is Machaira’s founder. He brings in over 30 years of experience in both secular and Christian music, with the past 25 years being devoted to the ministry of Machaira. He has played and recorded with many well know musicians. He also serves the lord as a worship leader. Dennis promotes several Christian outreach concerts each year, including “Praise In The Mountains”, one of Northern California’s largest free Christian concerts.
Peter Richardson
Vocals, Keyboard
One day at age 17, Peter walked into a Recording studio in Memphis, and said , “I’m A Singer”, and Dee Barden said, “Well, let’s try you out!”
At that point he started making his living in the Recording studios in Memphis and Nashville. Peter soon started winning awards such as a “Cleo” for singing the first “Sears Steelbelted Tire Commercial. He quickly started is own band “E.Bartlett” and moved to Memphis and signed a recording contract with STAX RECORDS recording their debut album titled “DUSTY ROAD”.
In 1974, he joined some local musician friends in Memphis and formed the Rock Group “Leviathan”. They signed a Recording Contract with London Records and started touring the United States as a front act for “Electric Light Orchestra”, “Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, “Greg Allman”, “Ashford and Simpson”, the late “Muddy Waters” and many other artists.
In the late 70’s, Peter played keyboards and sang background vocals for “Yancey, performing all the orchestration. After a few years of playing locally, Peter moved to Dallas to sing jingles for T.M., Jam Productions, Steven Arnold and other producers while playing the piano on weekends at the”Bell Star Dance Hall”. Here he played with “ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL”, and the “SIDE OF THE ROAD GANG”. Later, he joined the “Road Gang” with their album debut on Capital Records with a National DR. PEPPER Commercial on T.V.
Breaking away from the bar scene in 1987, Peter developed his New Direction. Producing, writing and recording Christian music, he started ministering in music at the his local church, and several other venues. Peter performs his original music frequently throughout the US and has written and produced several solo recordings. “l’ll most likely play music and sing until I’m a hundred and three. God has given me a second chance and this time, I want to go wherever He sends me to share the Love that delivered me from Alcohol and Drugs to Freedom and a Healthy Full Life!” says Peter.
Steven Randal
Guitar and Vocals
Steven has been a music educator, local performing musician and worship leader in the Sacramento region for over 20 years. His passion to be in the world sharing God’s love with people both inside and outside of the church has been his driving force and personal ministry pursuit. Working with his broad network of some of the area’s finest musicians, he has been able to support and lead
praise and worship ministry in Folsom and surrounding areas for many years.
Phil Barbaccia
Tenor Sax
Phil has been playing saxophone since the fourth grade. He was a member of the Chico State and Yuba College jazz ensembles. While in these collage jazz ensembles, he performed concerts with Joe Morello, of the Dave Brubeck quartet, Don Menza, tenor saxophonist for the Tonight Show Orchestra, and Pat Williams, the Grammy Award winning composer of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the Bob Newhart Show Chico State theme songs. Phil also was the cofounder and leader of the popular oldies Rock and Roll band Route 66. In addition to performing with Machaira, Phil performs with the Adventure Church of Yuba City Praise Team, under the Direction of Jeff Poppinga and The Eric Peter Jazz Duo of Chico, CA.
Don Moe
Drums
Don provides a solid foundation for Machaira’s songs. He has been playing drums for 40 + years and his professional experience dates back to the early 80’s. He has played in everything from Concert bands to Country, Rock, Blues, Jazz and Surf Bands as well as Pit Orchestras for theater groups and a 17 piece Big Band. Don is a member of the Worship Team at his home Church, Adventure Church of Yuba City and he is looking forward to sharing the Love of our Lord and Savior through the Ministry of Machaira.
Machaira Singers
Charlie Walker
Samantha Sanders
Diamond Johnson
