Band Members
Chip Howard
Chocolate Chip began playing the drums at the age of six. During his career as a musician and entertainer he has played with several bands back in the early 70's around Greenville, NC and his home town of Robersonville, NC with some great musicians in those areas. But his career begam when a young man named Doug Winstead saw him perform and was stunned with the entertainment and his ability to play drums. So, Mr. Winstead drove from Winston Salem, NC to Robersonville, NC to see if he could get Chocolate Chip seen and heard in the entertainment world.
Monique Howard
My name is Elizabeth Monique Howard, 20 years old, originally from Harrisonburg VA but I've been living in Myrtle Beach SC for about 15 years. Ive been into Entertaining/Singing/Dancing since i was about 2 years old. My father, Chip Howard, of course was my main inspiration and who got me started. I was 2 years old singing and hopping around and having a great time. I grew up watching Michael Jackson and he really had me in awe, and then i had the dream of wanting to be a famous singer when I grew up.
Chris Smith
I started playing guitar when I was ten years old on an acoustic guitar my father brought back from one of his Navy trips overseas. By the time I was sixteen I was playing in a series of local bands throughout Jacksonville, Florida. I played in a series of hard rock/heavy metal throughout the Southeast and MidAtlantic regions, recording one record of original songs with the group Fairchilde. I also played in many of the local musical theatres and shows, including Legends in Concert, Swingstep, and Steve Gatlin's Moments to Remember.
Dylan Parker
My name is Dylan Parker. I was born and raised in Chadbourn, North Carolina. I am 22 years old. I grew up listening to bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Led Zeppelin. Around the age of 15 I decided to pick up an instrument. The first instrument I went to was the drum kit and then I made my way to upright bass and bass guitar when I was 16. I was in band all through middle/high school and around this time formed a rock/funk trio with my brother and close friend. After high school a music professor by the name of, Marc Chesanow, put me in contact with a Funk and jazz band called FauxShow. We did gigs at "Good time Charlie's, " which was where Chip saw me for the first time.
Jennifer Gibson
I am originally from Virginia Beach and began singing as a young child in church and school choirs. In the late 90's I moved to Myrtle Beach to finish my high school years. During this time I was involved in various musical theater productions and vocal competitions. Immediately after high school I began my professional career at the Alabama Theater. Through my early professional days I did some modeling, acting, television hosting and performed in several theater shows. Some of which included tributes to Neil Diamond, Elvis and a variety show with Steve Gatlin.
Cary Simpson
I started playing piano around the age of 11 years old. From there I was in several rock bands in high school. After high school I went on to college. After 2 years of college I left school to travel on the road with a country band called DaKota. After several years on the road I decided to come home. Since then I worked with a long string of bands such as 'Whitewater' 'Midnite Run' 'Sol' 'Blacklabel' 'Tru Sol' and now Chocolate Chip And Company!
Kellie Jenkins Willard
Kellie Jenkins Willard- AKA Kellie J' "THE Voice"is a dynamic vocalist and entertainer with over 30 years of experience on stage. Her powerful vocals and energetic performances give her the edge over many female vocalist in the industry. Her style and genre ranges from R&B Pop, Country, Blues, and Rock and Roll.