Barbara Hickey & The Daybreakers
Every band has its sound. Ours? It’s the perfect mix of grit, heart, and a whole lot of fun.
For Barbara Hickey, this band was years in the making. She spent two years hand-picking not just talented musicians, but people she knew would become family. And that’s exactly what happened.The Daybreakers bring high-energy rock with a dose of Texas soul — and the chemistry on stage is as real as it gets.
Behind the music are real people with their own stories so meet the voices, the players, and the personalities that make up The Daybreakers.
Cody Feemster – Vocals/Guitars/Drums on occassion
Hailing from Port Neches, TX, Cody’s love for music started simply because, as he puts it, “all my friends were doing it.” What began as a casual interest grew into a passion that now takes center stage every time he steps up to the mic.
Musically, Cody’s tastes range from Hank Jr. to Matchbox 20 to Mayday Parade, and you can hear it in his style. He calls himself a bit of a “mockingbird,” staying true to the original artists but never afraid to cut loose and wail when the moment calls for it. Whether he’s singing Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi or rocking along to Flirtin’ With Disaster by Molly Hatchet, Cody brings harmonious fun to the band’s sound.
Cody first met Barbara at church and a shared love for music quickly turned into friendship and eventually, a band. “I had always wanted to be in a band,” Cody says, “but it never happened until Barbara came along. The best part of this band isn’t just the music — it’s the people. They’re my family.”
Offstage, Cody’s known for his love of cooking, golf, Green Bay Packers football, and the outdoors. He swears he once sank seven 3-pointers on Barbara in a 3-on-3 basketball game, but the record books are… debatable.
Cody keeps his gear simple acoustic straight in, maybe a pedal or two on electric — but it’s his energy, harmonies, and easygoing vibe that truly set the tone. His dream venue? House of Blues in Houston.
Snuffy Campbell – Bass & Vocals
From Port Arthur, Texas, Snuffy grew up with music in his blood. His mom and her sisters were a performing trio who toured the country, sharing stages with legends like Willie Nelson, Johnny and Edgar Winter (back in their bluegrass days), Jerry Reed, and Ray Stevens.
Snuffy started playing guitar at 19, learning by ear, before setting it aside when his kids kept knocking them off their stands. In 2010, he picked up the bass to fill a need at his church, and that’s when the groove really stuck.
His musical influences include CCR, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Ted Nugent, Rush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Eagles. Bass greats like Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, and John Paul Jones inspired his style. Favorites to play live? Hotel California and Sweet Emotion always bring the house down.
Snuffy met Barbara through The Get Right Ramblers and Jerry Mullin and soon became a key part of The Daybreakers. “This band has no egos,” he says. “We all love each other and enjoy being around each other.”
One of his favorite memories was during a rehearsal when he finally listened closely to one of Barbara’s guitar solos on a Keith Urban song. “I guess I’d always been focused on my own part, but that day I really heard it for the first time. Man… goosebumps.”
Outside of music, Snuffy used to surf “30 years and 60 pounds ago,” he laughs — and now loves fishing, “glamping” in his RV, and spending time with his family.
His gear of choice? A Fender Precision through a Mesa-Boogie head into a Schroeder cabinet with 1-12” and 1-10” speakers. His secret weapon? “I bring my fingers,” he jokes, “and my hair.”
Favorite album? Moving Pictures by Rush. First concert? Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. Dream venue? Any place where The Daybreakers could open for BlackBerry Smoke.
Zach Martin – Drums, Vocals & Guitars whenever the mood strikes
From Orange, Texas, Zach grew up surrounded by music from family road trips to Crystal Beach filled with classic rock to afternoons learning about the artistic side of music from his grandparents and great-grandmother. That mix of energy and artistry shaped the drummer he is today.
His influences span Glenn Miller’s big band swing, the harmonies of The Beach Boys, the power of The Who, and the grit of The Black Keys. You can hear pieces of all of them in his playing style and attitude. His favorite song to play live? Jimi Hendrix’s Third Stone From The Sun a rare but special treat when it makes any setlist.
Zach has been making music with Barbara for over fifteen years, playing in multiple projects together. “The bond is as thick as blood,” he says. “The Daybreakers set the standard for what entertainment should be: vibes and laughs.”
One of Zach’s favorite memories with the band is Cody’s debut performance. “No one was more excited to be there than Cody that night,” Zach says, smiling.
Fans might be surprised to learn that while Zach’s a drummer by trade, he’s a guitarist at heart.
Off stage, Zach loves classic movies, Mediterranean travel, and reading about ancient history. His gear of choice is a mix-and-match 1969 Ludwig Champagne Sparkle kit, alternating between a ‘60s Slingerland Gene Krupa Soundking snare and a vintage Ludwig Acrolite. What does he bring to the band’s sound? “Raw energy.”
Favorite album? Who’s Next by The Who though the Beach Boys’ Greatest Hits CD he wore out in high school is a close second. First concert? Rush, 2010, at the Woodlands. Dream venue? He says Pompeii would be pretty epic.
Calob Broussard – Guitar, Vocals & Sometimes Drums
From Hamshire, Texas, Calob’s music journey started in middle school when a friend picked up his dad’s guitar so Calob had to get one too. Growing up on country music but diving headfirst into AC/DC and Metallica when he got his own guitar, he followed the classic guitar-kid route before carving out his own style.
These days, Dave Grohl tops his list of influences, though Calob says he’s finally settled into his own singing voice. His favorite songs to play live? The ones where the whole band sings together Cuts Like a Knife and Waste My Time always bring the right energy.
Barbara first spotted Calob playing live and “liked what she saw,” bringing him into the Daybreakers family. What does he love most about the band? “I love that we enjoy just hanging out,” he says.
Offstage, Calob is a self-proclaimed pedal freak. “Love pedals. Love talking pedals.” His guitar rig changes constantly lately, he’s been moving back toward analog pedals and amps after years of experimenting. He says his biggest strength is simple: “I bring the stage presence. I want people to feel the show.”
Outside of music, Calob plays golf and isn’t shy about throwing down Fortnite challenges: “Give me your username, I will beat you.” His favorite album is One Day Remains by Alter Bridge, partly because it gives him an excuse to talk about his favorite guitarist, Mark Tremonti. First concert memories? Keith Urban as a teen, followed by a Van Halen tribute band opening for an AC/DC tribute band. And like Barbara, his dream venue is Red Rocks because some shows are meant to be under the open sky.