Many have asked, so here it is.....
The Band was the brain child of Jeremy (banjo) and John (dobro), who being friends and local music veterans, shared a life-time love for Bluegrass music. Both of us played many styles of music through the years, but always came back to our roots of Bluegrass. John started a "bluegrass open-mic" jam at a local bar, and the response was really good. Through these jams, we discovered a wealth of folks like us. Musicians who finally had an outlet to let loose and have a good time pickin' and singin'. So once these jams took off, we realized that we could think about getting a serious band together. We discussed who we would like to have in our band, a "dream team" sort of scenario, and we found that we had virtually the same list. The list included the likes of:
Bruce Forr-Guitar. Bruce is a wily musical veteran with a penchant for cake (inside joke). "Brewster", as we call him, is one of the areas finest musicians, and as fate would have it, an old friend of mine from a past job. In fact, Bruce is the only other person (besides me) who knows first hand where our band name comes from, which is a closely guarded secret!!! I ran into Bruce at the jams, and we re-connected instantly. I told him about what we were doing, and he jumped at the chance to be apart of it. I was ecstatic because he is a valuable and talented member of the band, and a good friend.
Brett Fanelli-Bass. Local musical guru and part time under water yodeler, is an old friend I've known for a lot of years. I had the pleasure of playing with Brett in past bands, and have admired his skill, creativeness, and knowledge of music. I ran into Brett at local jams after losing touch for a few years, and we picked up right where we left off. Thinking he wouldn't be interested in playing the bass, or Bluegrass music, I tentatively asked him if he'd be available and interested in Bluegrass. He said yes, but only if we could cover Michael Jackson's "Thriller". I promptly agreed.
John Stevens-Dobro. John is a self-made man, amassing his fortune producing videos on how to make the perfect white wine spritzer (another inside joke). What can I say about Johnny? He has been instrumental in getting this thing off the ground, and I appreciate all his help, enthusiasm, and leg work on this project. He is the consummate "professional", with every aspect of his many talents, and he does make one hell of a Spritzer! John's playing spans many years, bands, and instruments. As I discussed above, his life-long love of this art form has compelled him to really push forward in the promotion, production, and execution of Bluegrass music. He is a fine picker, a real cut up, and a good friend.
Brad Floyd-Mandolin. At 24, "The Kid" is known in many parts as the best "cow tipper" around. New to Bluegrass music and Mandolin, we met Brad at one of the jams and were impressed with how quickly he picks it up. He has motivation, drive, and a willingness to learn. As any coach will tell you, heart is the most important asset. In the two plus months that we've been together, Brad has delivered on his end, and gets better with every practice. Give "the kid" a few years, and he'll be a force to be reckoned with on mandolin. But until then... the rookie does our laundry, fetches us beer, and carries all our equipment. we're bringing him along slow....hee hee.
Jeremy Nelson-Banjo/Guitar. A Musician of 17 years, and a former Geico Caveman, "moose" grew up on Bluegrass music. His father Ben, is a local bluegrass legend as a fine singer/songwriter. His great-uncle, Smokey Pleacher was a talented country music cut-up in the golden era of radio "traveling medicine shows", and so the blood line is there for this "pie-eatin" picker. An eclectic lad, Jeremy has warmed to every style and string instrument known to man, so it's a logical musical progression for Moose to take on the Banjo, and come home to his Bluegrass roots.
Everyone in the band gets along really well, and we have a great time together, playing this kind of music. The thing about Bluegrass is that it is not a selfish music. More than any other style of music, Bluegrass music is greater than the sum of its parts. Everyone has an equally important part that blends together to create a musical collage. Together, we make up "Mama Corn", and we'll bring you the finest "progressively traditional" Bluegrass around, enjoy.