photo by John Phelps

The band began as Exit Stage Left with guitarist Sandy White, singer Tanya White, drummer Tom Faulkner and some friends in late 1991. ESL was a reference to cartoon character Snagglepuss—not the Rush album as some people thought.  Over the past several years, the band has gone through several changes—not the least of which was a name change to Ten Day Wish on New Year’s Day 1999.

     “The name doesn’t mean anything--it's a simple anagram”, says Sandy.  “But if you take the letters of Ten Day Wish and rearrange them, it’s my name.  It’s better than an anagram of Tanya’s name which is something like "Eat WayThin.”

     Tanya White is the focal point of Ten Day Wish.  She’s been compared to the Wilson sisters of Heart, and Stevie Nicks.  Her high-energy performance is not satisfied with being background entertainment.   She will make you watch and listen. She’s a graphic artist and painter.  Tanya is also the Patron Saint of All Small Animals.  All puppies, kittens and turtles gather around her like a Disney movie.  When the WICHITA EAGLE once asked Sandy "what's the best advice you can give a band starting out?" , Sandy replied, "get the second best singer you can find--because I already have the first".       

     Sandy White is mostly guitarist, partially the singer, and always in charge of sound.  During a given song he may switch his guitar pickups a few times, change guitar sounds with his feet, make adjustments to the sound system—and actually play guitar and sing.  He does not care to dance.  Back when he had a "real" job, he spent 25 years in the radio business, 15 of those years as production director for T95 and 104.5 The Fox.  He still maintains a voiceover and advertsing consulting company, DragonVoxMedia, and owns nothing but black clothing for it's "slimming effect".

     Dan Luce plays bass and adds vocals to Ten Day Wish.  Dan mixes influences into a bass sound that leaves everyone totally amazed—he is in fact, one of the finest players in the Midwest. His vocals remind most people of Dave Matthews—and he plays guitar, too. Dan can perform single-handed handstands.  Or used to be able to...

     After the loss of guitarist Hud Chapin, the band decided to use keyboards & one guitar instead of 2 guitars.  Jon Salley joined the band and a total overhaul of the music ensued.  After Jon departed, the answer was found with Steve Tankersley.  “Tank” is an amazing player.  He is not only a great technician with the inner workings of modern keyboards, but also an accomplished player.  You’ll remember him from playing with top notch bands like Slate Creek, Alliance, and Scotty Lee. And it only took seven years of chiding, cajoling, and begging to get him to join.  “He was always in two or three other bands at a time—I would call him about once a year and ask if he was ready to join”.

     The band jokingly admits a bit in common with Spinal Tap in they have had a myriad of drummers including founder Tom Faulkner, Micheal Aukofer (now a professor at University of Kentucky), local hero Steve Knowles, and East Coast transplant John Pryor.  After John left, Tom rejoined--in fact, he and Tank had gone to high school together in Manhattan.  Tom has perhaps the most interesting vocation of all--funeral director.

     This is one band that is made up of friends--first, and musicians--second.  Some have been privy to the special moments of the "tear down"; band members tend to quote from a variety of movies, sing odd songs, and create strange oral sound effects (e.g., Tank's impression of a bicycle horn).

      The band has always had an eclectic mix of Rock and Pop Music, which has drawn a huge fan base from all over Kansas plus Colorado, Nebraska and Oklahoma.  

      Thanks to departed friend, EMMY award winner & OSCAR nominated sound engineer Joel Fein, the band played 2 shows of Buddy Holly songs with actor Gary Busey.  Yes--it was an experience...
      Ten Day Wish has opened shows for such diverse artists as Blue Oyster Cult, Pat Benatar, Steppenwolf, and Robin Trower among others.

     In 2011, this group celebrates 20 years together.

Still friends.