Newton Powell Band: Where Music Comes Alive
Great Music Is Meant to Be Heard Live
Meet the Newton Powell Band
Rick Newton — Drums / Vocals
Founding Member • Beatle-Inspired Rhythm & Soul
I’ve been passionate about music ever since I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show—that moment was the spark that set everything in motion. That and the screaming girls! I started out on bass before eventually finding my true groove as a drummer and vocalist, which is where I’ve stayed ever since.
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Over the years, I’ve played in several great bands and even had the opportunity to record at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis. Each project has taught me something new and deepened my love for performing. I’m also one of the founding members of the Newton Powell Band, which has been one of the most rewarding musical journeys of my life.
Music has always been more than a hobby—it’s a lifelong passion that’s taken me across countless stages and connected me with amazing musicians and audiences along the way. And I couldn’t do it without my biggest supporter and favorite roadie—my wife, who’s been my partner in every sense of the word.
When I’m not behind the kit, you’ll probably find me enjoying live music somewhere, talking shop with other musicians, or planning our next show. Support live music—it’s where the magic happens.
Gordon Powell — Guitar / Vocals
Founding Member • Upside-Down Guitarist with a Right-Side-Up Sound
Born and raised in Dallas, I’m a musical product of the ’60s—shaped by The Beach Boys & The Beatles. I started out on drums, but when I joined the Navy, I switched to guitar—no drums on ships! Being left-handed made things interesting, so I flipped a right-handed guitar over and learned to play it upside down.
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While earning my degree from UT-Dallas, I played coffee house gigs and joined a few local bands. After graduation, music took a back seat to family and career, though I never stopped playing. About five years before retiring, I decided to get serious again—investing in good gear, studying theory, and reconnecting with the local music scene. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of playing with and learning from some incredible North Texas musicians, including my current bandmate, Neal Drennan.
In 2021, I met Rick Newton, who shared my musical taste and vision for starting a band built on great songs and great people. By winter 2022, the Newton Powell Band was born. Like any group, we’ve had our growing pains, but today we’ve got a tight lineup that shares the same passion and energy for live music.
When I’m not playing, you’ll probably find me tinkering with guitars, discovering new music, or relaxing over a chess game.
Rick Thompson — Bass / Vocals
Dynamic Bassist • Late Bloomer with Big Groove Energy
I was a bit of a latecomer to the music scene, but once I picked up the bass I never looked back. I’ve wanted to play ever since I heard Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her.” Once I bought my own bass, I spent years studying under legendary local bassist Mike Brown, whose guidance shaped not just my playing, but my entire approach to music.
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Since then, I’ve had the privilege of playing with several great bands, including The Problematics, The Grateful Dads, and The Hip Replacements. I’m also the bassist for Dang Straits, the only Dire Straits tribute band in the Western Hemisphere—a project that’s been an absolute blast to be part of.
Over the years, I’ve performed at incredible venues like the Cotton Bowl, Texas Motor Speedway, and the Bedford Blues Festival. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by exceptional musicians, and no matter where I play, I still get the same thrill every time I lock in that first groove.
Neal Drennan — Guitar / Vocals
Seasoned Performer • Story-Driven Frontman
I was born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, in a family where music was a way of life. My dad, sister, aunts, and uncles all played guitar and sang, so it was only natural that I followed in their footsteps. Music runs deep in my family—my dad and aunt even recorded a record in the early 1960s at the legendary Sun Records in Memphis.
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I picked up the guitar at a young age and never really put it down. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of playing and fronting bands across the country, performing with incredible musicians who’ve helped shape my sound and style. Even when I enlisted in the Army in 1978, I kept performing and writing wherever I could, keeping that musical fire alive no matter where life took me.
Since then, I’ve recorded in numerous studios, contributed to several movie soundtracks, and played in more cities than I can count. Each experience has reinforced why I do this — for the connection, the stories, and that indescribable feeling that comes the moment the lights hit and the first note rings out.
After all these years, I still get the same rush every time I step on stage. When I’m not playing, you can usually find me listening to classic records, tinkering with guitars, or catching a live show to support other local musicians.