En'Novation Band

Petey, the bands energetic leader, has a love for music that started in the 3rd grade when he first began to play the trombone. His actual professional career in music started 35 years ago. He performed with the “Waller Family” for 13 years. Prior to starting the band En’Novation, Petey performed with the band “Casper” for 22 years.  He feels very blessed that he has been given the opportunity throughout his musical career to travel to 43 states and also to his delight, to be able to travel abroad to such countries and Mexico and Canada. One of his favorite aspects of performing he says, is the enthusiasm of the crowds. When you see the crowd having a great time, as a musician, you know you have done your job!

Shaun Lyda is a veteran guitarist/singer from Richmond, Virginia. He has played in many well-known Richmond and Virginia-based bands for many years. These bands include Hott Stuff, Spectrum and notably, Casper along with many members of En’Novation. When Casper dissolved in 2014, Shaun found himself a lot of work as a fill-in guitarist for many bands including KOS, Horizon, InsideOut and Big Ray and the Koolkats (among many others). Shaun has traveled much of the US and even some other countries as a musician and loves the different places and people he has met. He was thrilled to be asked to join his friends again in En’Novation in 2020. 

Levie is a lead singer in En’Novation.  He started singing at the early age of twelve, and began singing in a group at the age of thirteen.  Levie began singing with the group “D.C.I. Band & Show” at the age of fifteen. He then went on to play with “The Richmen Band”.  Prior to joining En’Novation, Levie performed with the band “Casper” for 22 years.  He likes all kinds of music, and some of his favorite artists are Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Chaka Kahn, Patti LaBelle and Mary J. Blige.  His favorite colors are black and green, and his mantra is “Keep a Good Attitude and Love Will Always Follow You!”

Donnie started playing trumpet in elementary school. He also picked up drums, bass and guitar. He taught himself to play keyboards because all the other slots were filled in the first band in which he wanted to play. Later he played alto sax, but his main focus now is keyboards.
  Donnie has played with twelve different bands in Richmond over the years which have included the Carousels, Friends, Music Bachs, Act I, Street Life, Flashback and Casper. Donnie’s interest in keyboards, with main focus on playing the organ was greatly    influenced by such keyboard greats as Booker T. Jones of Booker T & the MG’s, Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals, Steve Winwood, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Richard (Groove) Holmes, Chester Thompson(Tower of Power & Santana), Tony Monaco, Jimmy Smith, whom Donnie had the chance to hear live just prior to Jimmy’s death in 2005, and Joey DeFrancesco whom Donnie had the chance to hear and meet in the summer of 2005. When not playing with En’Novation, Donnie enjoys working out at the gym, playing his 1969 Hammond B-3 organ with matching 1969 122 Leslie he has at home, relaxing with friends and enjoying life at his “second home” at Myrtle Beach, when time permits, with his wife Cindy and their dogs .

Benjamin Miles plays drums for En'Novation band but plays multiple instruments in his home studio and as a consistent pianist at his home church in Virginia. 

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Howard honed his music skills in college at the Virginia Commonwealth University Jazz Orchestra and in the James Madison University Jazz Ensemble where he graduated with a degree in Music Performance.
Prior to joining En'Novation, Howard performed with Casper, Baby Huey & the Babysitters and appeared with Julius Pittman and the Revival, Steve Bassett, Terry Garland and Marion James, appearing on several of their CD's.
Howard has also had the opportunity over his career to perform with such nationally known artists as Lou Rawls, The Temptations, The Platters, Frankie Valli, The Spinners, The Manhattans and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, as well as nationally known jazz artists such as Marvin Stamm, Ed Shaughnessy, Sal Nistico, Jackie Byard and Frank Foster.
Other highlights of Howard's career has been to perform in a touring Broadway production of Grease and a tour on Norwegian Cruise Lines S.S. Norway throughout the Carribean for a season.
When not playing with En'Novation, Howard enjoys grilling, relaxing with friends and enjoying life with his wife Kathey and their furry children.

Raised in Caroline County Virginia, NaShana Ferguson Tate grew up in a family where music comes naturally. At the tender age of 4, she began singing in her local church choir and quickly rose from the chorus to a soloist. After her voice became well known in her community, the request for NaShana's sweet and soulful sound came non-stop. Nashana traveled with different choirs to various cities opening concerts for national recording artist. Not only has she made an impression on large groups of people performing at local spots, but Nashana has had the opportunity to sing the national anthem with Pattie Labelle, and to open for many talented artists such as Tre Songz, Doug E Fresh, Mario, Tank, Joe, and Chris Brown. NaShana was most recently blessed to become the newest member of the amazing En'Novation Band. NaShana being a gifted singer and songwriter has the wisdom, the attitude, and most of all the voice to deliver. NaShana also loves reading books and spending time with her family in her free time.

Bass guitar, lead and background vocalist for En'Novation, Raye Smith, a native son of Varina, Virginia spends his time performing, producing and recording for himself and for other regional based artists in his own private studio called Route 5  Records LLC. Raye brings 38 years of extensive musical experience having had success abroad and has worked with a variety of popular regional and national bands, and as the solo artist, Sugar Raye Smith with his recent debut CD - Old School Party. Raye Smith is as excited about the future of En'Novation as he enjoys working with his fellow band mates.