Band on the run

In case you missed it in last week's printed edition of The Press, a local high school graduate's rock band, Echo Grey, won first place in a regional battle of the bands competition last weekend at Harrah's Casino in Metropolis, Ill.

Shawn Steele (pictured), a 2004 graduate of Crittenden High School, is lead singer for the group. He traces his musical roots as far back as his great-grandmother, Virginia Byford, who was well known for teaching piano in Marion.

In addition to the role of lead vocalist for the four-man rock group, Steele plays the keyboards, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and writes the majority of the lyrics. He shares song-writing responsibilities with the other members who just came together in July 2007.