James Gutzman, producer, musician and composer is a native Minnesotan. His musical gifts include being an accomplished drummer, vocalist and stage performer/musician. As a producer, Jim built his first music studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was here that he began composing seriously for a band he was beginning to develop on paper. Jim returned to Minnesota and established a professional recording studio and production company, Melody Bay Productions, LLC. In 2017, Jim and Alex Twum begin developing music for an original musical ‘Steppin Into The Street and an accompanying album “Put Some On The Plate.”  In 2021, Jim collaborated with playwright Tom David Barna to write the book for a new original musical, PEOPLE R READY–The Musical.  The new musical is to be produced under the auspices of Melody Bay Productions, LLC and is currently in development, to include an accompanying soundtrack. It is Jim’s ambition to make the script and music (both recorded and with sheet music) available to theatre companies, university/college theatre programs, high school theatre programs and local and community theatre companies.

Alexander Twum  a.k.a. “O Music”, Vocalist, Drums, Keyboard, Composer, Lyricist. “O Music” originally from Accra, Ghana and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, comes from a long line of family musicians. Playing drums by age 10 before later becoming a noteworthy keyboardist, Alex established himself within the Canadian musician community for his creativity, originality and stage performance. Moving to America in 2009, Alex has focused primarily on studio work, producing and composing original music.    

Ray Evangelista, Guitarist, Vocalist, Composer, Lyricist

Born in the Philippines, Ray considered a musical prodigy, starting at age 5, performing on both radio and television and then toured the with the USO with music legends as a teenager. A graduate from Gamma Musical Conservatory, Ray moved to Minneapolis, MN to become one of the most sought after and respected studio musicians/song writers in the Midwest.   

Reynaldo (Ray) Losloso Evangelista passed away on December 12, 2021 after a courageous battle with Covid pneumonia.

Many thanks to his children, Theresa King, Ray L. Evangelista Jr. , and Natalie R. Evangelista for allowing his musical legend to continue.

James Gutzman, Vocalist, Percussionist, Composer, Lyricist

Jim is a native Minnesotan. He has been involved in music all of his life, performing professionally across the country as a drummer/vocalist. While he enjoys performing, working in the recording studio and composing music, his greatest passion is creating original music. Jim has recently built a new recording studio in the twin cities dedicated to creating original music for individuals  and theatre. PEOPLE R READY-The Musical is the brainchild of Jim and has been in development for three years.