Sweaty was created in 1989 by Kerry Ransdell (Guitar& vocal), Gary Ray (Drums & vocal), Mike Reiger (Bass & vocal), and Gigi Dixon (Keyboards, guitar & vocal).
Originally called Sweaty Betty, this line up was short lived after Gigi, aka Betty, moved on and asked Russ Edwards to take her place in the band. Gigi and Russ had played together in an earlier project. Russ joined the line up in March 1991, and for a month, Sweaty Betty performed as a five piece band. After the adjustment period, Gigi went her own way, so the rest of the band decided to toss out the “Betty” part and just keep the band name as Sweaty. Sweaty was a viable force that continued as the house band at The First Round Draft in Chandler, AZ until October of 1996.
November 16, 1996, Sweaty opened at Famous Sam’s in Chandler, AZ, and was the house band until November of 2005 when they started venturing out to other valley venues but remained as a regular feature at Famous Sam’s until it closed down on December 2, 2009.
Shortly after making the move to Famous Sam’s, Mike Reiger opted to leave the band and was replaced by Aaron Olsen, who had been a substitute for Mike before permanently joining the band.
In June of 2001, Kerry who was a Dentist, sold his practice in Arizona and moved his practice and family to Maine. Judson Dean replaced him as guitar player and vocalist for seven years but left the band in October 2008.
In May of 2009 Aaron left the band and was replaced with long time friend and occasional alternate bassist and vocalist Denny King. This line up currently stands and is still actively performing at clubs around the East Valley.
Friday and Saturday nights feature the band at other locations including O’Kelley’s Bar & Grill in Mesa, , & San Tan Brewery in Chandler, & The Monastery in Mesa.