More About Derek Trull
Derek grew up in a small town in Western Tennessee. Located smack dab between Memphis and Nashville, Derek was influenced by the Blues, Soul and Rock coming out of Memphis – and the traditional and contemporary country sounds from Nashville. Growing up in a musical family, he played and sang in church, and absorbed all the gospel and traditional music around him. His first solo in his father’s church was “Imagine If You Will” at the age of 4.
While Bass is his primary instrument, Derek is an accomplished guitarist and piano player, as well as being an outstanding vocalist. His vocal talents landed him in the top Daytona area spot in auditions for The Voice – and he participated in the national contest.
After moving to Daytona Beach, Florida in 2015 with just the clothes on his back, and a bass guitar in his hand, Derek has carved out a great reputation as a singer and bass player, playing in several Daytona and surrounding area bands of all styles.
This led him to form the band “EasyStreet” with outstanding guitarist Gary Koz and drummer Reginald Upshur (The Rock) in 2016, playing hundreds of engagements each year. After Gary (whom Derek respected deeply as a wonderful musician and mentor) passed away suddenly in 2019, Derek teamed up with Guitarist John Long, and has added Keyboardist Chris Nordman to the band in 2020.
Derek’s vision for EasyStreet continues as “we play it all”, and being a “band for everyone”, playing Merle Haggard to Prince.
Derek shines on every vocal style with authentic renditions of Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Blues, Country, Soul, and Pop tunes. This coupled with heartfelt bass lines makes him a one-of-a-kind musician.
When asked about musical influences, Derek replies “Gospel has always been a big part of my life and sound, but Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Tab Benoit, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Chris Stapleton have always moved my soul and inspired me”
Derek has shared the stage with Thomas Wynn And The Believers, Larkin Poe, Heidi Newfield (of Trick Pony), and the Swon Brothers, to name a few.
As for the future: “The Sky Is the Limit”. The band will be recording soon, including Derek’s originals and band favorites, as well as traveling in the Festival and Concert Circuit.
More About Chris Nordman
Chris Nordman, was born in Wyandotte, Michigan in 1956. His father, Chuck Nordman, was a school music teacher, and Chris started bugging his dad to teach him at an early age.
By Age 6, Chris was playing piano at church and school recitals and talent shows. He found a second love in string instruments, and became an accomplished cellist, playing in several area symphony orchestras, chamber music groups, and in the World Youth Symphony at Interlochen, becoming 1st chair, and even playing a concert with Van
Cliburn.
At 14, Chris became assistant Parish Organist at St Hugo of the Hills Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. At 15, he became Organist and Choir Director at Fellowship Methodist Church in Troy, Michigan, a position he retired from at age 25. During this time, Chris wrote several arrangements for small choral groups, as well as a collection of organ music.
At 17, Chris began playing Bass for the Eddie Santini Orchestra, and soon became the keyboard player. He arranged several charts for this horn / vocal band that played events across the Midwestern US.
After getting an engineering and management degree from General Motors Institute in 1979, Chris went to work for Gail and Rice Productions, one of the leading talent and show production agencies in the country. There was plenty of work for a piano / keyboard player, and Chris played thousands of gigs the next 13 years at clubs, and for corporate events, weddings, and other events with his band, and as a sideman. He also played many shows with entertainers Bob Hope, Mel Torme, Della Reese, Chuck Berry, Coasters, Contours, Platters, and many other artists and comedy acts.
In 2014, Chris began playing with the Chris Canas Band, based in Michigan, and the Buddy Blues Band, based in Orlando, Florida. During these past years, Chris has played numerous events and festivals all over the country with these and other musical groups.
In 2016, Chris played on the Buddy Blues Band release "Wrong Side of the Blues" which won acclaim both in the US and overseas. As a member of the Chris Canas Band, Chris has played at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2015, 2016, and again in 2020, where they were a finalist. Chris played Keyboards on the CCB January 2020 release: "Would You MInd"
In late March, 2020, Chris went into the studio to record a "live feel" jazz trio album, something that has been on the "to do" list for many years. Recorded in Central Florida with Drummer Joe Adcock, and Bassist Ward Dumigan, the Chris Nordman Trio - "High Wire" CD was released in January 2021, has spend several weeks on the Jazz Week Charts, and Roots Music Report Charts.
More about Chris at:
Chris met Derek and Reggie of EasyStreet at a "jam" at the Original First Turn in Port Orange Florida in early 2019. The connection was immediate, and Chris began playing as a guest keyboardist with EasyStreet in late 2019. Chris is honored to be a "full fledged" member of EasyStreet as of late 2020, and is looking forward to recording and touring with the band.
More About John Long
Guitarist John Long hails from North Carolina, and has been a mainstay on the Central Florida Music Scene for the past several years.
Being both an outstanding side man in many projects, and leading his own bands - John also excels as a composer, and solo musician.
John draws on his listening and studying of multiple music genres including rock, soul, blues, classical, jazz, funk - and he is constantly learning and growing his musical skills.
John came to the EasyStreet family in 2019, and is a great co-front man, adding backup and lead vocals as well as his both thoughtful and blazing guitar skills.
More about Ralph Gray (Drums and Percussion) 2025
EasyStreet is thrilled to welcome Ralph Gray as its newest member. With over 40 years of professional experience, Ralph is a seasoned drummer whose influences include legendary players such as Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, and Tony Williams.
His dynamic style and versatility have made him a sought-after performer across a wide variety of genres, from rock and country to jazz, funk, Latin, and Caribbean music. Ralph has been a mainstay in the Central Florida music scene, playing with bands such as Barfly, Speed Limit 70, and the Rowdy Jameson Band.
Most recently, he spent a decade with progressive rock powerhouse Jupiter Groove, recording their acclaimed album “Gears of Progression”, opening for national acts, and headlining multi-band shows.
Ralph brings a wealth of experience, passion, and creativity to EasyStreet, and he’s excited to contribute to this next chapter of the band’s journey. Welcome to the Easystreet family, Ralph!
More About Reggie Upshur (Retired - Founding member)
Reginald (Reggie) Upshur was born into a musical family, and received his first drum kit at 5 years old at Christmas, from Santa Claus. His destiny was sealed, he was “hooked on drums”, and practiced religiously through his school years. Reggie was a regular fixture in school band and orchestras throughout elementary, junior high and high school.
When Reggie graduation from High School, he joined the United States Army, and began a career of dedication and service to our country. During his 20 year career in the Army, Reggie pretty much laid down the sticks – but the desire to pursue music remained deep in his soul.
Upon his retirement from the Service, Reggie was able to pursue his dream of playing music with the passion it so rightly deserved. He came out of the Army and is now making that lifelong dream to play music and entertain people a reality.
For the next 23 years, Reggie played music professionally as much as possible. He has worked with many bands (too numerous to name them all). He co-founded a “power trio” called Voodoo 3 that had the opportunity to open for blues legend Robert Cray at a sold out show of 3,000+ in Des Moines, Iowa, which to date has been one of his most exciting accomplishments.
Reggie has been fortunate to share the stage with Molly Hatchet, Larkin Poe, Heidi Newfield (of Trick Pony) and many others over the years.
Since the formation of Derek Trull and EasyStreet, Reggie has been it’s “Rock of Gibraltar”. He is the man in back providing the rock solid beat and background vocals. And with his rich, deep baritone, Reggie takes the lead vocal duties on songs that dictate this vocal style. A highly sought after drummer in Central Florida, EasyStreet is proud to have had Reggie as one of it's founding members, and holding down the beat for the past 10 years)