MEET THE BAND
JJ Johnson:
Lead Vocals
Born in Helena Arkansas and raised in "The Lou" (St. Louis), JJ Johnson always knew that he wanted to be an entertainer. Whether putting on performances for his parents and friends as a child, singing doo-wop on the street corner under a lamp post as a teen or singing gospel, JJ knew that he was destined to sing.
JJ began singing with a group called The Edsels back in the 60's. Later, after moving to the Kansas City area, he began singing with Koolaid and the Exact Change Band. JJ has also opened for many groups in the past few years, The Whispers, The Chi-Lites, Bloodstone, Ollie Woodson of the Temptations and Little Milton to name a few. Additionally, JJ has made guest appearances with the Temps and the Tops in Branson, Missouri.
JJ's phenomenal vocal range has been compared to the likes of Phillip Bailey of FirEarth, Wind & Fire and David Ruffin of The Temptations. He recently said in an interview that his sound was "the soul of R&B Classics and that of the Motown Sound, and I am enjoying currently singing with Platinum Express, one of the best groups in Kansas City."
Michael Panethiere of Platinum Express says: "JJ is truly the embodiment of the 60's R&B, Soul and Motown singers. If you can imagine Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown, Bobby Bland, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, and Sam Cooke rolled into one package you would have JJ Johnson. He has developed his own style from all of his influences, and is a true showman. The energy of JJ's performances reaches all crowds young and old alike. One of the goals of Platinum Express is to keep the classic R&B, Soul and Motown sound alive by performing the classics and also writing new/original material in the same vein. With JJ on board, the combined talents and influences of the Express make for the type of team that has the potential to become major recording artists."
Dr. Michael Panethiere: "Mike The Wire"
Guitar / Vocals
Mike is the founder and manager of Platinum Express. Mike was born and raised in Kansas City. He began playing the guitar when he was 12 years old. Although, the accordion was his first instrument, a traditional choice for a little Italian boy, which he started playing at the age of 5. During his High School years Mike performed with George a local band that took first place in the greater K.C. battle of the Bands contest in 1966.
Mike attended the Charlie Parker Academy in the mid-seventies and studied under the tutelage of local Blues and R&B guitar legends Sonny Kenner and Ed Toler. Mike later went on to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music. Mike toured the Midwest in the late 70’s and early 80’s with Robinson Pike, a K.C. based 9-piece R&B band that featured (Grammy Award Winning Warner Bros. Recording Artist and 1999 Downbeat Jazz Vocalist of the Year) Kevin Mahogany, as well as other K.C. notables Joe Cartwright, David Krull, Mark St. John and David Basse.
Mike was offered the opportunity to perform on the road with Bobby Blue Bland after Robinson Pike broke-up, which he turned down in order to finish his education as an Electrical Engineer. Although, Mike is one of Kansas City’s most prominent Engineers and has been a practicing Registered Electrical Engineer for the last 25 years, he has not forgotten to practice his guitar. Nor has he forgot his roots of growing up in Kansas City’s inner city and the wonderful Blues, Jazz and R&B legacy that he was exposed to, and a part of, at an early age.
Mike’s influences are B.B. King, Jimmy Nolen of James Brown fame, Eric Clapton, Al McKay-Earth, Wind & Fire, Terry Kath-Chicago, and especially his close friend and mentor Bruce Conte of Tower of Power. Mike brings a rich soulful, funk guitar playing style with the ability to deliver blistering blues solos in the truest form of the “Kansas City Sound”. Mike plays a 1979 Gibson Les Paul custom guitar that was previously owned and played by Bruce Conte of Tower of Power. He uses mid-1960’s vintage Fender tube amplifiers, D’Addario strings, and Boss effects.
Gary Cardile:
Congas/Percussion/Vocals
Gary began his professional career at the age of 16 as a singer/dancer/percussionist working with R&B acts in the KC area. During the next 30 years, Gary continued to work professionally, sometimes as a vocalist but more often as a percussionist, backing some of the greatest names in Jazz and Entertainment. Working with the likes of Hank Crawford for 8 years, Eddie Cano (one of the fathers of Latin Jazz) for 4 years, and the award winning quartet Yoboso for 5 years, whose CD “Off The Menu" won 6 awards at the New Mexico Music Awards including Best Vocal Performance. Some greats Gary has performed with include Grover Washington Jr., Sonny Stitt, Percy Mayfield, Sammy Davis Jr., Ester Phillips, Herbie Mann, Les McCann, David ”Fat Head" Newman and many others.
Penelope
Lead vocals/backing vocals
Penelope's love for music began in the church, and flourished throughout her school years. As a young adult, she directed church choirs, gave voice lessons and served as an accompanist for schools and churches. In the early 2000s, she attended a jam session at Knuckleheads, hosted by Billy Ebeling. This was a turning point for her, and Penelope and The UnUsual Suspects was born. The band toured for six years, across Iowa, Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri, energizing audiences with their vibrant blend of Blues. Penelope, a beloved figure in the local music scene, hosted jam sessions at Blayneys and Marty's Blues Club, as well as forging lasting friendships. In 2018, guitarist friend Jeff Graefe collaborated with Penelope, drummer Ron Still and bassist Dave Jefferson to create the band Last Call. Penelope's husband saxophonist Chris Cohick later joined the evolving ensemble, who continue to perform locally and beyond.
Her musical influences are rooted in the legends of Soul, Gospel and R&B such as Patti LaBelle, The Pointer Sisters, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and Mahalia Jackson.
Penelope has been a Lead Vocalist with Platinum Express for 18+ years, and never fails to delight fans with her dynamic vocals.
Lee watkins
Trumpet/flugelhorn/vocals
A veteran player in the style of classic horn bands, Lee brings to Platinum Express a fat sound in the style of East Coast show bands like Dallas Pike, as well as his experience with current PE members who were part of Robinson Pike with Kevin Mahogany. Lee began playing at age 10. Even in his earliest years, he played with local bands Blackwater Junction, Solar Eclipse, and Goodtime Rebellion who emulated the Motown Sound, as well as the sounds of Jazz Rock groups such as Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears and The Righteous Brothers. He studied at the Conservatory of Music with renowned teacher Bill Trumbauer, before taking his skills on the road to Nashville and the East Coast. Lee has been a longtime principle player with the NorthStar Community Band.
chris cohick
Tenor Saxophone/baritone saxophone/flute
Chris is a integral member of Platinum Express's “Full Steam Horns” section. He studied with Tim Timmons at the UMKC Conservatory, and more recently with jazz saxophonist Matt Otto. Prior to joining Platinum in 2010, he performed with numerous local Blues artists, including Cotton Candy and So Many Men. He also joins his wife Penelope, performing with her bands The UnUsual Suspects and Last Call.
allen wiley
drums/percussion
Allen has been a professional drummer for more than 50 years. He feels privileged to have performed with many national personalities, such as Check Berry, Bob Hope, The Smothers Brothers, The Coasters, Howie Mandel and Tiny Tim to name a few. He has performed with many local musicians and corporations, such as The UMKC Jazz Band, The Kansas City Philharmonic, Worlds of Fun, The Kansas City Chiefs Band and The Kansas City Kings. He's joined local musicians and groups Marilynn May, Pete Eye, Kathleen Holeman, Lynn Zimmer, JJ Johnson and the Old School Players as well as Platinum Express.