Ancient City Slickers

The Ancient City Slickers grew out of a weekly jam at the founder's home in St Augustine Beach.  Many times there would be as many as 8 or 10 people playing, singing, and having a generally great time.  The band grew from that amorphous group into a motley collection of banjo players, a guitar or two, a drummer, a tuba player and a trumpet player.  John and Claudia Richards, who started the group, moved to North Carolina about 10 years ago, but the band continued on, continuing to morph into its present five member status.

The Slickers currently are: Cable Spence, Russ Thomas, Kayla Douglas, and Chuck Kranz and Eric Douglas.

Our Business

The Slickers play parties, barbecues, festivals, retirement homes, gatherings, and anywhere else that requires fun, toe-tapping, sing-along songs that are sure to make everyone come away with an old song or two stuck in their heads.  Thinking about a live band for your get-together?  The Slickers can do that.  We don't use huge amps or need lots of power for our shows, just enough room to play.   Got a beer tent for your upcoming festival?  The Slickers can do that.  We play polkas, too!  Need some music at your farmer's market or flea market?  The Slickers can do that, too. 

Who We Are

Cable Spence-Cable plays the 5 string banjo, kazoo, and cacaphonium, and shares singing duties.  Outside the band, Cable is a noted artist and teacher.

Russ Thomas-Russ plays the 4 string banjo, kazoo, and shares in the singing duties.  Outside of the band, Russ is a real estate magnate.

Kayla Douglas-Kayla plays the percussion for the group--maracas, tambourine, washboard, bodhran, and sings backup.  Outside of the band, she is the proprietor of  Sea Bridge Landing Antiques, St Augustine, Florida.

Chuck Kranz-Chuck has played the tuba for 40 years (yikes!) and has sung for even longer.  He also plays the gutbucket with the band, along with slide whistle, kazoo, harmonica, melodica, and trumpet.  Chuck is a software consultant when he is not doing band stuff.

 Eric Douglas- Eric plays guitar for the Slickers, having nearly 30 years of experience on guitar. A St. Augustine native (6th generation!) , he loves the sun, sand and surf.