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    • HOME
    • ABOUT CTA
      • Overview / Members
      • Song List
      • What People Are Saying
    • VIDEO
    • EVENTS
    • STORE
    • BUYERS
      • Booking CTA
      • Boot Camp
      • Contact US
      • Calendar
      • Electronic Press Kit
    • Stage Plot
  • HOME
  • ABOUT CTA
    • Overview / Members
    • Song List
    • What People Are Saying
  • VIDEO
  • EVENTS
  • STORE
  • BUYERS
    • Booking CTA
    • Boot Camp
    • Contact US
    • Calendar
    • Electronic Press Kit
  • Stage Plot
Chi-Town Transit Authority
A Tribute to The Music Of “Chicago”

Overview

Chi-Town Transit Authority is an 8-piece Chicago Tribute band based out of Atlanta, Ga. established in 2017 and dedicated in reproducing the “Chicago” Concert experience.


  • Chi-Town features a tight horn and woodwinds section. 


  • Chi-Town has four vocalists, three of which trade off lead vocals.  Together they provide the dynamic vocal harmonies and stage interest that Chicago is famous for.


  • Chi-Town performs all of the familiar and famous songs covering over 4 decades of steady hits from Chicago. These songs are guaranteed to bring back memories. 


  • Chi-Town’s emphasis is on the kind of live show that brings down the house and leaves the crowd calling for more!... If it’s excitement you are looking for, Chi-Town Transit Authority is the band who can bring it!


  • Chi-Town is also a proud member of IEBA and the North Carolina Presenters Consortium.

Band Members

Michael Cahen sings and plays guitar for Chi-Town Transit Authority

MICHAEL CAHEN

MICHAEL CAHEN

MICHAEL CAHEN

GUITAR/VOCALS

Growing up in a musical family (his father played jazz saxophone in a Big Band) in Richmond, VA, Michael was destined to earn a living as a musician, singer/songwriter and guitarist. His first success was recording a song with his own band that was selected for an album compiled by a local rock station. That launched a decade

GUITAR/VOCALS

Growing up in a musical family (his father played jazz saxophone in a Big Band) in Richmond, VA, Michael was destined to earn a living as a musician, singer/songwriter and guitarist. His first success was recording a song with his own band that was selected for an album compiled by a local rock station. That launched a decade of touring in Europe and the Southeast. After settling in Georgia, Michael joined a local band, playing private and corporate events. He’s a full time musician with a soulful voice and rocks Gibson and Fender guitars.

TOM DAVIS

MICHAEL CAHEN

MICHAEL CAHEN

DRUMS

Playing drums for over six decades, Tom has toured in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Tom has been in opening bands for The Guess Who, Aerosmith, The Steve Miller Band, Kiss, ELO and other international groups. Tom has more recently played with members of Original Parliament, the B.B. King band, and Arrested Development. He is o

DRUMS

Playing drums for over six decades, Tom has toured in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Tom has been in opening bands for The Guess Who, Aerosmith, The Steve Miller Band, Kiss, ELO and other international groups. Tom has more recently played with members of Original Parliament, the B.B. King band, and Arrested Development. He is one of founders of our band and greatly enjoys playing and helping to manage the group.

Chris Horton plays trumpet for Chi-Town Transit Authority

CHRIS HORTON

MICHAEL CAHEN

CHRIS HORTON

TRUMPET

Chris started playing trumpet at age seven and after meeting Al Hirt at age twelve was hooked. He has played with numerous Atlanta and DC bands and on stages with BJ Thomas, The Spinners, Cab Calloway, Holiday on Ice, Duke Pearson, Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey, Circus World, and numerous Broadway shows and touring companies. C

TRUMPET

Chris started playing trumpet at age seven and after meeting Al Hirt at age twelve was hooked. He has played with numerous Atlanta and DC bands and on stages with BJ Thomas, The Spinners, Cab Calloway, Holiday on Ice, Duke Pearson, Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey, Circus World, and numerous Broadway shows and touring companies. Chris was first call on lead trumpet under Columbia Artist’s Touring Division and served as professor of contracts, copyright, and artist management at The Art Institute of Atlanta while performing regularly in the Atlanta area

Thom Jenkins plays Woodwinds and Saxophone for Chi-Town Transit Authority

THOM JENKINS

CHAYSE PANNELL

CHRIS HORTON

ALTO & TENOR SAX/FLUTE

Thom is a woodwind player and percussionist who grew up listening to the music of Chicago. Thom has a music degree from Western Carolina University and has performed in 14 different countries....so far! He has opened for Jimmy Buffett, Lee Greenwood, Roseanne Cash, Mickey Gilley, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, T

ALTO & TENOR SAX/FLUTE

Thom is a woodwind player and percussionist who grew up listening to the music of Chicago. Thom has a music degree from Western Carolina University and has performed in 14 different countries....so far! He has opened for Jimmy Buffett, Lee Greenwood, Roseanne Cash, Mickey Gilley, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, The Kingston Trio and many others. He is also a composer and sound designer creating music and sound effects for stage plays and documentary films.

NEAL MCELROY

CHAYSE PANNELL

CHAYSE PANNELL

TROMBONE

Neal began trombone at age 8. He has played in the 3rd Army Band in Atlanta, Ga.  and was with the Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz Band for 32 years. He has also spent over 30 years playing Broadway shows and concerts with some recognizable names:  Frank Sinatra, Sr. & Jr, Sammy Davis Jr, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Red Skelt

TROMBONE

Neal began trombone at age 8. He has played in the 3rd Army Band in Atlanta, Ga.  and was with the Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz Band for 32 years. He has also spent over 30 years playing Broadway shows and concerts with some recognizable names:  Frank Sinatra, Sr. & Jr, Sammy Davis Jr, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Red Skelton Ann Margaret, Lisa Minnelli, Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye. Tina Turner and Gladys Knight. He toured with Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mathis, the O’Jays, The Spinners, Four Tops, The Tams and The Temptations. 

CHAYSE PANNELL

CHAYSE PANNELL

CHAYSE PANNELL

VOCALS

 Chayse, the "spring chicken" of Chi-Town, discovered his musical calling at a very young age. Diagnosed with Hemophilia as an infant, (a condition that prevents his blood from clotting) music became Chayse’s safe outlet and passion. He started playing piano and singing at age 9, later learning guitar, bass, drums, and songwriting a

VOCALS

 Chayse, the "spring chicken" of Chi-Town, discovered his musical calling at a very young age. Diagnosed with Hemophilia as an infant, (a condition that prevents his blood from clotting) music became Chayse’s safe outlet and passion. He started playing piano and singing at age 9, later learning guitar, bass, drums, and songwriting as well. He has performed across the country, competed in talent competitions, and won songwriting contests. In addition to his performing career, Chayse has dedicated 11 years to nurturing aspiring musicians as a private music teacher. When he isn't teaching or performing, he can be found in the studio composing and recording radio jingles, working on his backswing at the golf course, or advocating for Hemophilia Awareness. 


RICK SARGENT

JUSTIN CERASIELLO

JUSTIN CERASIELLO

KEYBOARDS/VOCALS

 Rick has had opportunity to play with groups such as the Turner Field Band (Atlanta Braves), the Atlanta Falcons House Band, Les and Larry Elgart, The Soul Purpose Band, and most recently Orquesta MaCuba (Salsa Band).  Rick was a Band Director in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties for thirty years and has been involved in churc

KEYBOARDS/VOCALS

 Rick has had opportunity to play with groups such as the Turner Field Band (Atlanta Braves), the Atlanta Falcons House Band, Les and Larry Elgart, The Soul Purpose Band, and most recently Orquesta MaCuba (Salsa Band).  Rick was a Band Director in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties for thirty years and has been involved in church music for even longer. He is a huge Chicago fan, having listened to the band since childhood, and is thrilled to be playing their music. 

JUSTIN CERASIELLO

JUSTIN CERASIELLO

JUSTIN CERASIELLO

BASS GUITAR/VOCALS   

Justin is an Atlanta, Georgia native guitarist with over 15 years of playing, recording and teaching experience under his belt. He grew up listening and playing Rock, Jazz, Funk, and R&B. Later, he majored in Jazz Guitar at Kennesaw State University. Over the years, he has studied with several A-list musicians in the 

BASS GUITAR/VOCALS   

Justin is an Atlanta, Georgia native guitarist with over 15 years of playing, recording and teaching experience under his belt. He grew up listening and playing Rock, Jazz, Funk, and R&B. Later, he majored in Jazz Guitar at Kennesaw State University. Over the years, he has studied with several A-list musicians in the Atlanta area, including Barry Richman, Sam Skelton, Trey Wright, and Jimmy Cypher. He has also studied with guitar greats Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Doug Doppler, and Frank Zappa’s guitarist Mike Keneally!

Bruce Bennett

BRUCE BENNETT

JUSTIN CERASIELLO

TECH CREW

Bruce is an accomplished musician in his own right, however, his passion for the last 4 decades is taking bands and recording artists to the next level by refining and producing their look and sound.  Bruce has owned a number of recording studios and his engineering and production credits are extensive. 


WE ROCK THE HOUSE!  

WE ROCK THE HOUSE!  

Frequent Guests

Jeff Joiner is a vocalist for Chi-Town Transit Authority

JEFF JOINER

JEFF JOINER

JEFF JOINER

VOCALS

Jeff is a former member notching over 60 shows with the band. Jeff began singing in church at age 14 in choirs and ensembles and later moving on to solos and duets. Jeff has performed duets with Christian artists Babbie Mason and backup vocals with Third Day's Mac Powel during Mac's Atlanta shows. Jeff has also performed for the Sou

VOCALS

Jeff is a former member notching over 60 shows with the band. Jeff began singing in church at age 14 in choirs and ensembles and later moving on to solos and duets. Jeff has performed duets with Christian artists Babbie Mason and backup vocals with Third Day's Mac Powel during Mac's Atlanta shows. Jeff has also performed for the Southern Baptist Convention at the RCA Dome in St. Louis and the Superdome in New Orleans.

Mark Lloyd sings and plays keyboards for Chi-Town Transit Authority

MARK LLOYD

JEFF JOINER

JEFF JOINER

KEYBOARDS/VOCALS

Mark is a former member and frequent guest on the CTA stage. He has been performing across the US for more than 40 years. Originally from Delaware, he began playing music with his older brother Benjie in Nashville, Tennessee, sharing the stage with many Country music stars and Hall Of Fame inductees. As a youngster, Mark s

KEYBOARDS/VOCALS

Mark is a former member and frequent guest on the CTA stage. He has been performing across the US for more than 40 years. Originally from Delaware, he began playing music with his older brother Benjie in Nashville, Tennessee, sharing the stage with many Country music stars and Hall Of Fame inductees. As a youngster, Mark spent time in the various recording studios in Nashville learning from the musicians recording there. Mark had the privilege of meeting Elvis' drummer DJ Fontana and playing a few songs with him when he was 17 years old. 

DISCLAIMER: Chi-Town Transit Authority Is not in any way associated with the original band 

Copyright © 2023  Chi-Town Transit Authority - All Rights Reserved.

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