The Prairie Dogz emerged in 2018 after founding members, Keith Hambrook and Dwight Koenning, decided they had a common interest in song writing. Fully stocked with experiences of heart ache, isolation and other emotions generated from years of playing and travelling with different bands while raising a family and being forced to face middle age, they set out on their own.
Soon after, long time band mate, Terry Studd, joined and the three set off to find the perfect rhythm section. After a number of failed attempts, Dave Fast and Martin Wright joined, bringing vast experience, precision and character that defines the band’s sound.
Although the band has released a substantial catalogue of original music, the live performances are based on playing the most popular country, classic rock and modern music. The objective is always to create the most memorable night imaginable, offering people’s favorite upbeat music.
Dwight Kohen (Lead Vocals)
The Prairie Dogz lead singer Dwight Kohen was born in Alberta, Canada and has resided in a country/rock atmosphere throughout his musical career. Being taught in classical styles he emits an original blues, country & rock sound.
He started singing at a very young age and has played in cover bands for most of his musical career in the classic rock genre.
Through his life experiences he had always felt the desire to create music and release the many stories that have come about through the many stages of his life.
He is through and through a talented singer and story writer leading to the great lyrics and ballads you’ll hear in The Prairie Dogz music.
Keith Hambrook (Lead & Rythym Guitar/Vocals)
The Prairie Dogz creative collaborator, song writer and lead guitarist Keith Hambrook has been writing and performing since an early age in a variety of different genres from new wave through to metal and gospel.
He has played multiple venues in western Canada and has been recording music since his formative years.
His influences range from U2 to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmy Page to BB King.
He was born and raised in Alberta, Canada growing up with country music influences including the Calgary Stampede.
Terry Studd (Lead & Rythym Guitar/Vocals)
Terry picked up the guitar at age 13 and has since played in various rock and roll hair bands (Pariah, Siloette, Risk) to name a few, going from gig to gig in the early 80’s.
He took a break and was asked to play in a country band (Chris Value and the Blue Water Band) toured Alberta, Saskatchewan and Montana.
Years later he joined an 80’s and up rock cover band called (Throttle Up) where he met Dwight and Keith (The Prairie Dogz) and the rest is history.
Dave Fast (Bass Guitar/Vocals)
Originally from BC, Dave had moved to beautiful Alberta in 1979. He started learning bass guitar at the age of 18, and has much enjoyed performing ever since in many bands regularly.
He plays a wide variety of musical styles including blues, classic , prog and southern rock, as well as traditional and modern country , and folk music and studied classical guitar through the RCM program.
He has experience performing at many types of venues ranging from pubs , clubs , corporate, to festivals ( Rohan’s, Country Thunder, Ranchman’s, Calgary Stampede Grandstand), as well as studio recording and video projects.
Favorite Musical Influences ( for bass guitar ) include bands and artists :
Beatles, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Who , Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Rory Gallagher, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Spencer Davis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Johnny Cash, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers, just to name a few.
Martin Wright (Drums)
Martin was ‘Made In England’ in a town called Bletchley just north of London, this was also the home (and still is today) of ‘Marshall Amplification’ and despite his parents wishes used money earned from delivering newspapers to have drumming lessons from Jim Marshall.
After playing in various bands in the area, he was invited to audition for ‘Solstice’ this was a leading ‘prog rock’ band in the 1980’s UK progressive rock revival and toured the country extensively playing such notable festivals as ‘Stonehenge’ ‘Glastonbury’ and Reading Rock festival in 1984 to around 25, 000 people, ‘Solstice’ would also regularly sell-out the famous London ‘Marquee’ club.
This line up recorded a BBC radio session and recorded the album ‘Silent Dance’ which has become a cult classic from that period, following ‘Solstice’ Martin played with ‘Gordon Gilltrap’ and before moving to Canada in 2006 was a long-time member of ‘Togmor’ who played both in the UK and Europe.
Despite his accent and very loud snare drum the ‘Dogz’ are happy to have him in the band.





