WAR CHILD
Hailing from San Angelo, TX, War Child consists of guitarist/songwriter Zachary Peterson, drummer Cooper Jones, Keyboardist Casey Dees and bassist Scott Russell. The band began playing at weekly jam and open mic nights, and of course, the spare bedroom of Cooper’s apartment. Drawing inspiration from life’s ups and downs, Zach likens the sound to a “heavy, funky, cosmic blues”.
Zachary Vaughn Peterson
Zachary is a West Texas native with roots in San Angelo and Brownwood. His musical journey began at 13 when he received a guitar for Christmas, but it was a family gathering with his uncle that sparked his passion. After discovering Jimi Hendrix and diving into blues legends like Son House and Howlin' Wolf, the guitar became his instrument of expression.
After high school, Zachary enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a Paratrooper and Infantryman assigned to C Co 3-509th Infantry Battalion in Eastern Afghanistan. After nearly 13 years of service and asecond deployment with the Texas National Guard, in 2022, Zachary rediscovered his love for his guitar before eventually starting band War Child that same year, channeling life's struggles and personal growth into his sound.
Outside of music, Zachary works full time for the Texas Veterans Commission. He enjoys antiquing, traveling and doing just about everything with his wife, Courtnee, and spending time with his daughter, Kinley. He also enjoys cooking, being in the wilderness, and indulging in wacky paranormal/ghost/alien videos. A follower of Jesus, he finds purpose in his faith, his music and simply loving people.
Cooper Jones
Hailing from Borger, TX, just outside Amarillo, Cooper Jones is a dynamic drummer with a deep love for music. A founding member of War Child alongside frontman Zachary Peterson in 2022, Cooper brings his powerful rhythms and diverse influences to the band’s sound.
Cooper’s drumming journey began in middle school with the band “About Blank” and continued through his college years in the group “Death Frets.” Inspired by iconic drummers such as Mitch Mitchell, Dave Grohl, and the legendary John Bonham, Cooper’s skill and power behind the kit drive the band’s sound.
Outside of music, Cooper enjoys hiking, golfing, traveling, and reading, always drawing inspiration from the world around him and the drumming legends who continue to shape his craft.
Scott Russell
Angelo,Texas, native, Scott Russell, began his musical journey playing trombone in junior high and high school band. After graduating high school, he began playing bass guitar.
His first band was a 3-piece group called Sparta. Inspired by Rush, Triumph, and KISS, Sparta played in and around San Angelo for 3 years. He continued playing with another local favorite band, The Front.
Scott moved to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area where he continued playing for bands in the Metroplex. His love for bass guitar grew as he played with bands across multiple genres to include rock, metal, blues and country.
Influenced by bass players such as Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Gene Simmons, John Myung, John Entwistle, and many more…Scott continues to pursue his desire to grow as a musician while making music with WAR CHILD.
Casey Dees
Casey's passion for piano followed a winding route as he noodled aimlessly in and out of lessons from age 8 until college, when an open mic night introduced him to the thrill of playing with a band. He continued to grow as keyboardist for local bands Spunky Greta and ESCAPE, touring the hottest venues in Bastrop and the surrounding area (including an overhyped gig or two on 6th Street).
After leaving behind the constant construction of Austin in 2015, Casey settled into a quieter, more fulfilling West Texas pace in San Angelo. During his hiatus from performance, he found time to supervise a makerspace, adopt two cats, take up watercolor painting, and get married during a pandemic. Casey now embraces a return to live music with War Child, eager to explore his passion for wailing organs and soul-baring grooves.
Casey's musical fascinations span from The Beatles to They Might Be Giants, Barenaked Ladies to Queen, "Weird Al" Yankovic to The Killers, The Aquabats to Ben Folds, and all the unsung heroes of 60s garage rock and psychedelia.