We are Rock Candy (2.0)

No one really knows his real name, or what he does for a living, and that’s how he likes it. Known only by his friends as Dr. Jack Guitar, this shadowy guitarist has been turning heads across S. Florida’s music circuit for many years. A master of tone,  emotion and cut off shirts, his guitar speaks louder than any biography could. He is a skilled guitarist, but never takes center stage or seeks the spotlight. Yet, he manages to command the attention every time he plugs in.

He believes the singers are the “most important” during song selection, which leads to a harmonious atmosphere in the band. Some say he records his parts at 3 am; others claim he doesn’t even exist. One thing is certain:  you’ll know he was there when the last note fades and the crowd is still holding its breath.

Nick Montgomery was born and raised in California. He loved music from a young age and sang lead in various cover bands in California and Oregon. He also plays acoustic guitar. He is a great country singer, though he can sing anything from Oasis to Pearl Jam.

Nick can be seen rocking sunglasses and flip flops at a gig, showcasing his chill West Coast vibe. With his killer vocals and great stage presence, he is definitely the “candy” in Rock Candy.

Stacey loved to sing from a young age, but limited herself to belting out showtunes in her bedroom in Edison, NJ. Her mom had her in ballet lessons all the way through high school, but didn’t think vocal lessons would be useful. Also, Stacey had terrible stage fright until her 20s. She sang at her law school graduation and realized it was time to do something about the crippling stage fright.

She began taking vocal lessons in Boca Raton in 1998 when she met Paul Gandy, (current keyboardist/rhythm guitarist) who was waiting for his stepson to finish a piano lesson. He invited Stacey to sing backup in one of his bands. The rest is history! Stacey nudged her way up front from backup singer, and went on to sing lead vocals in local bands such as Unsafe 6, Crisis, Ego, American Pie, Rock Candy and Hot Mess. She enjoys sharing vocals with Nick, and particularly loves to sing angsty chick songs.

Eddie was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He discovered the drums at age 13 and never stopped playing. He obtained his diploma after studying classical percussion at a music conservatory. He has played in many different bands and has played various genres from jazz to rock, punk, indie, rockabilly, drum & bass and afro Venezuelan rhythms. Eddie actually plays many different instruments but his passion is the drums.

While living in Argentina, he studied with different drummers and played covers and originals in many popular venues in the country’s capital. Rock Candy 2.0 feels very lucky to have him!

Self-taught as a child growing up in Serbia, Daniel was influenced by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and MTV hits from the 80s and 90s. Though always drawn to the deep groove and harmonic magic of the bass guitar, it wasn’t easy to get a bass guitar back then. Instead, Daniel played rhythm guitar and sang in several hard rock bands in Novi Sad, including Invalid Minds and Aloha, both of which gained a loyal local following in Serbia.

After moving to the U.S. for college for a sports scholarship, Daniel took a musical break until the 2010s, when he finally picked up his dream instrument: a Geddy Lee Signature Bass. He eventually teamed up in 2015 with Stacey for the original Rock Candy Rock Band. The band rocked the local scene until 2021, when a pandemic and a tragedy struck. The band lost its drummer unexpectedly and went its separate ways. Daniel is excited to be back with Rock Candy 2.0 recharged and ready to “kickstart your hearts!” Daniel also moonlights as the singers’ security guard, due to his 6’5” height and muscular Serbian frame. He’s a teddy bear, though. He can also sing.

Paul is an actual native Floridian. He grew up in Yulee (anyone ever heard of it?) He had a mustache before mustaches were trendy! Paul also plays many instruments from banjo to keyboards, but he’s happy hanging back on the keyboards or filling out the sound with his rhythm guitar.

He plucked Stacey from obscurity, and even though he let a band fire her by email decades ago, they have been able to maintain their friendship and have played together in several bands since. Paul is so laid back that he didn’t provide a bio or photo. He is actually the President and CEO of his successful business that he founded in 1993. He is cited as the “pioneer of the design-build model in the regional market for water/wastewater infrastructure.” Paul may actually be the most easygoing person in the band.