Second Chance – A Tribute to 38 Special
Second Chance – A Tribute to 38 Special, based in Denver, CO, delivers the timeless Classic Southern Rock sound that made 38 Special a household name. With a passion for authenticity and a love for the music, the band recreates the driving guitars and unforgettable hooks that defined an era. Fans can expect to hear all the hits — from “Hold On Loosely” and “Caught Up in You” to “Second Chance” and “Back Where you Belong” — played with the energy and passion that keeps the spirit of 38 Special alive.
Founded by veterans of the Colorado Music Scene, Second Chance is dedicated to giving audiences full-throttle 38 Special experience. Whether it’s a festival, club, or private event, the band’s high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing set lists get everyone singing along and dancing.
Band Members
Lead Vocals – Alyssa Ruffin
Guitars – Brian Sunde
Guitars – Cory Linn
Bass – Kevin Barry
Drums – Howard Ogg
Alyssa Ruffin, Vocals
Ruffin is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and genre-bending recording artist born in Mason City, Iowa, and raised in Denver, Colorado. A proud military wife, she is based in Colorado while creating music in Nashville, Los Angeles, and beyond. Alyssa is a Mission 22 Ambassador supporting veteran suicide prevention and is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness, PTSD, equality, and community outreach, using her voice to make a positive impact beyond music.
Known for guitar-driven songs, raw emotion, and powerful storytelling, Alyssa delivers unforgettable live performances influenced by country, pop, R&B, and rock icons. She has shared the stage with artists such as Confederate Railroad, Hinder, Coolio, Firehouse, and Sawyer Brown, and performed for crowds of more than 30,000. Her debut EP Pretty Boy Blues is available now on all digital platforms, with new music and collaborations continuing to follow.
Brian Sunde, Guitars
Sunde was co-founder and guitarist/songwriter for the award-winning Tyler Walker Band, 5-time RMCMA nominees and winners of the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame Band of the Year. The band was also named the winner of the 97.9 Big Country’s Got Talent Competition. He also played with Brad Lee Schroeder and the bands Longshot, Kettle Black and Scattergun.
Cory Linn, Guitars
Linn has been playing guitar for 39 years and has performed in a surmountable amount of venues and in numerous states, including Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Montana to name a few. Cory has performed in original, tribute & cover bands over the decades, such as Calling On Will, Shotgun Lullaby, Still The Same (A Bob Seger Tribute), D.J. Bridwell, Double Wide – 90’s Country, Lendon James, Kentucky Straight and Duey & Unbroken. Cory writes a lot of his own music and also works as a studio session player for other artists and bands throughout the region.
Kevin Berry, Bass
Berry is a Denver-born musician who began his journey in music at the age of 15. By the time he turned 21, he was performing regularly in Denver’s 3.2 clubs, building experience and connections within the local music scene. The people he has met through playing music have made a tremendous impact on his life, and his passion for live performance remains at the heart of everything he does—because, to him, live music truly is the best. (Photo Credit: DRock imaging)
Howard Ogg, Drums
Ogg, originally from Compton CA, started playing drums at the age of 7. Once in high school, Howard was a part of the Drum Corp International organization (DCI). He also studied Jazz/Fusion under the direction of the professors at UCLA during his junior year of high school. Played his first club at the age of 16 at the famous Whiskey A Go Go with the band from LA called Redline. After serving his country in war time, he continued playing music all over the country and overseas while maintaining a career in the trucking industry. Howard has played with many bands and recorded in LA, Denver and Nashville. He even recorded sessions with The Orleans and members of the Grass Roots. He has also shared the stage with the likes of Travis Tritt and Mary Stuart. He now calls Denver home and has played music with many artists and has been a part of the Rocky Mountain Music Awards.