Greg Arnold
Nathaniel Edward Wyngate III, aka "Newt"

It was a dark and stormy night ... a shot rang out. Actually it was just past suppertime on a calm October eve when Greg began his musical foray. Some called it wailing (some still say that about Greg's singing). Since his entrance into this strange stage we call Earth, Greg seems to have always been involved with music.

Whether it has been church choirs, musical theatre, bands, ensembles or just jamming in the car; music has always been there with Greg. Greg has been a part of many theatrical productions, dramatic as well as musical. He has played Shakespeare's Petrucchio, Schultz' Snoopy as well as Arthur's bad boy bastard son, Mordred. He even had a stint on a Fox television series "Class of '96 " (one season; the show tanked... end of story). Greg was involved in a Contemporary Christian singing group, Spirit, for 15 years.

A 10 year veteran of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, first as a Reveler and then as one of the original members of The Court Revelers, Greg's biggest challenge is balancing theatre, music, Renaissance Festival, and family. Yet, he states, "Without having any of these components in my chaotic life, my life would be missing something very special." For better or worse, Greg plans on making music for as long as he can. So let the monkeys scream.

Chris Gosse
Orland Gusebourne aka Goose

Chris was always in love with music, right from the start. Whether it was singing to his favorite hit single Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys when he was little, or peddling his grandma's player piano and singing Amazing Grace, Chris loved to sing. This carried on throughout school, starting with the church choir in fifth grade. Chris went on to perform in anything and everything that he could. This included six years of solo and ensemble; four years at the State Level as both a soloist and as part of a group. Chris was also a four year member of the madrigal group in high school, performing as the King of the dinner his Senior Year. He also performed in numerous ensembles throughout his high school career. Onto Viterbo College Chris went, receiving two years of voice lessons, performing in the choir, and also performing as part of the chorus in The Magic Flute.

Up until now, Chris' greatest moment in the spotlight was performing the National Anthem in front of a packed house at Elko Speedway.

I would like to take a moment to thank those who have supported me throughout the years. First and foremost, thank you Mom and Dad for listening and carting me to all of my extra rehearsals. Without your love and support, I would not have gotten to where I am today. Thanks Clint for being a great little brother, and allowing me sing at your wedding, I love you. Thank you to my extended family for showing up to numerous concerts and performances. Thank you Jen for being patient and always there for me. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Veale for helping light a fire inside of me to perform. And last but not least, thanks to Marcus and the rest of the Court Revelers for the opportunity to perform with the group.

Marcus Coker
Valentine Lovell

Marcus has been in and out of the music scene all his life. He took two years of a capella choir in high school, as well as attending South Dakota All-State Chorus both of those years. He sang tenor for the Augustana College Choir his freshman year of college. Marcus has many musicals notched under his belt as well: Brigadoon, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Bye Bye Birdie, Finnian's Rainbow, and the operetta Amahl and the Night Visitors are all remembered fondly. Marcus has also played trombone for eight years. Marcus would like to thank all his friends and family who have supported him over the years. In particular, he would like to thank two people: Michael Shaeffer, Valentine's secret word-wright who, like Cyrano de Bergerac, feeds his less talented friend his well-woven tapestry of words from the darkness. Marcus would also like to thank the late Matthew Munt. If it were not for him, Marcus may have never discovered the greatness of the MRF and The Court Revelers in the first place. You are deeply missed, Matthew!

Marcus Coker first discovered The Court Revelers at the end of the 2001 Minnesota Renaissance Festival Season. One mead infused afternoon, he found himself in the Queen's Pub listening to a larger than life a capella group. Songs like All for Me Grog, Weep O Mine Eyes, and Whisky in the Jar haunted him for months to come. At the beginning of the 2002 season, Marcus introduced himself to one of the group's sopranos, Kirsten Lunzer. He became a steady and stalwart regular for the rest of that year. In March of 2003, Marcus auditioned for the group as a tenor. The rest, as they say, is history. He adopted the personna of Valentine Lovell, romance poet extraordinaire, and has been a Court Reveler ever since. When not singing, Valentine can be found chasing women, telling stories (such as Achtung Schweine!) to the younglings, dispensing woo-ing lessons to those that desperately need them, and "dueling" his arch-rival, Hawkins.

Lastly, Marcus would like to leave you with words of wisdom from composer/musician Danny Elfman: "Let us celebrate while we still can, because any second it may end. For when it is over said and done, tis better that we had some fun. "

Dave Eckenrode
Percival B. Drake aka "Duckie"

Dave Eckenrode was born in Colorado and spent most of his school aged years moving around the country with his family, having spent 12 years of school in 13 different schools.  Being the shy retiring type, Dave found release in the theatre when just a lad in Junior High in Maryland. 

Once in Minnesota, Dave performed on the stage at the Renaissance Festival from 1974-1978. He kept his fingers in the arts by working at his high school as a technical director and returned to the festival in the early 80’s for several years.  After the turn of the century, Dave craved to return to the stage and in 2003, he joined DeCantus, a 5-voice vocal ensemble. Shortly after the festival ended that fall he moved to England for three years. 

Whilst in England, he joined a choral society and had the privilege of portraying the Major General in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance.   Having returned to the colonies, he once again craves music and drama and has had the good fortune to become part of The Court Revelers family.