Among those taking the stage in welcoming the country’s new president Jan. 20 was Morgan Hill native Stephen Pocus, who performed with The Fryed Brothers band at inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C.
Pocus, 25, grew up in Morgan Hill with his three brothers and sister. He attended El Toro Elementary, Britton Middle and Live Oak High schools before becoming a full-time professional musician, according to his mother Janet Pocus.
“Since my husband is a musician and I sing, our kids grew up playing different instruments,” Janet said in an email.
The afternoon of Jan. 20, after President Donald Trump took the oath of office on the steps of the nation’s capitol, The Fryed Brothers performed at John Marshall Park as part of the Bikers for Trump rally. Stephen Pocus has played keyboards and piano for the band since 2014, and has toured with the popular rock-and-roll biker band nationwide.
Pocus began playing piano since he was about 5, his mother said. He played trumpet and French horn in the Britton band, as well as the Live Oak Marching Band. He also participated in the Valley Christian High School Latin jazz band, and was accepted to the prestigious California State Honors Band two years in a row, playing French horn.
After high school, Stephen studied at the Jazz Institute in Berkeley for two years on a full scholarship, Janet added. After that, he went to New York to “try to make a name for himself.”
He later returned to the Sacramento area, where he has played with two state bands. He has started “a few different bands,” and teaches at the Natomas Music School, Janet Pocus said.
“Stephen has a natural ability to compose and transcribe music, as well as move between different genres of music with ease,” his mother said. “Latin, jazz, country, gospel, he can do it all.”
The Fryed Brothers band was founded by Harry Fryed 25 years ago, “carving out a reputation as the best biker band in the world,” reads the band’s website, fryedbrothersband.com. Over the years, The Fryeds have shared the stage with music legends Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, John Mayall, Billy Idol, David Allen Coe, Eddie Money, Marshall Tucker Band and many more.
Bikers for Trump is an organization of motorcyclists that has conducted rallies and voter outreach “with the sole purpose of electing Donald Trump President of the United States,” reads their website, bikersfortrump2016.com.
