Meet The Band
David Byrd
Electric and acoustic guitars, organ synth, lead vocals
Singer, guitarist David Byrd spent 40 years in Los Angeles, enjoying a succesful career as a musician, voice actor, nightclub and radio DJ, and award winning live venue sound engineer. There, he worked with numerous superstar artists and actors while pursuing his craft. Dave got his start in OKC playing with the Knightmares band in high school at Putnam City, then toured nationally with several other live bands in the early 70's. Before moving to LA, Dave was gigging in OKC as a solo act when he landed a 4 year house band gig with Magic and Moonlight at the Super Rig Club. Later he won "Gazette Magazine's Best Nightclub DJ of the Year" award for his work as Resident DJ at the Ritz Club. He was the Big 8 Ford spokesperson on TV for several years, and was the station "voice" of KGMC TV Channel 34 in the 80's. Dave moved back to Oklahoma in 2021 and has now joined forces with his musical brothers in Past Forward.
Chris Weigand
Keyboards, piano, organ, trumpet, vocals
Talented keyboardist and singer Chris Weigand took piano lessons as a child, then learned trumpet, French horn and other high brass in his middle school years. He studied jazz and music theory in high school, and eventually taught himself to sing, play drums, and play some guitar as well. Chris has performed with popular OKC area cover bands Mirage and The Upstarts, has done session work at White Rose Studio, and was a member of Texas-based cover bands Passing Strangers and The View. While in Texas, he opened for superstar pop acts including A Flock of Seagulls, Information Society, and The Escape Club. In 2018 Chris performed as a main act at a national convention for a major Protestant church denomination. While living in Japan, he has performed with a Taiko drum group, and has collaborated with a former member of a beloved 80's Japanese pop duo. He is delighted to join Past Forward as its newest member.
Russ Roberts
Electric and acoustic guitars, vocals
Gifted guitarist and vocalist, Russ Roberts, has been playing guitar and piano since childhood. As a child in a military family, Russ lived in a few different states across the country, including several years in California where he studied music throughout school, graduating college with a degree in music. He has taught music at schools, music stores and at different colleges while honing his craft. Russ has played in several top bands over the years including Vantage Point, Asylum and Alter Ego in OKC, and Tagent and Bantams on the West Coast. Russ provides the band with exciting guitar solos, and sings equally as well. He brings with him a wealth of experience in playing all syles including rock, blues, R&B, country, reggae and soul.
Dub Schieffer
Bass guitar
Bassist Dub Schieffer started his career at age five singing with his brothers and sisters, accompanied by their mother on piano. The family performed for years at numerous county fairs, school shows, at 4-H events and on local TV. Dub picked up the bass at 13 and began performing at teen dances at 15. Still in high school and too young for a license, Dub's sister would drive him from gig to gig so he could perform in country music shows, fairs and even nightclubs, while playing with a host of bands. He's performed with some of the biggest stars in the business including Reba McEntire, Toby Keith, Roy Clark and John Micheal Montgomery. Dub has opened the show for Ricky Skaggs, Chris Ledoux, Montgomery Gentry and Collin Raye, to name a few.
Charlie Bartrug
Drums, Percussion
Talented drummer Charlie Bartrug began taking drum lessons in the 6th grade at Driver Music in OKC. While still in the 8th grade he joined his first band, The Roosters, who were a 1950's cover band made up of students from John Marshall High School. Charlie received a music education degree with an emphasis in percussion from the University of Oklahoma, then went on to a 33-year teaching career, teaching band in Collinsville, Owasso, Guthrie, Midwest City and Yukon. Charlie has played locally with the Borrowed Bandits Band and the Bovine Band, opening up for Willie Nelson and a host of other popular acts. Charlie is the newest member of Past Forward and provides a solid, steady foundation for the band.