projects

These are bands and musicians I frequently play with. Click the links and check the calendar page for a chance to hear these groups.

NEW! Audio samples are being placed on this page as time allows. Click on the pictures of Brother Mule and Area 15 now! More to come!

HAMSTER THEATER is up!

Open Road

Open Road is a traditional bluegrass band I’ve performed, toured and recorded with since  2002.    We're the guys in the hats and retro suits gathered around one mic. Mainly the brainchild of Caleb Roberts and Brad Folk, the band has released three recordings on Rounder Records and toured extensively throughout the US and Canada.   Brad has since left the band to pursue a business venture by opening a honky-tonk in Laporte. Visit the Swing Station if you get the chance. We'll be continuing on with some shows featuring Jefferson Hamer on guitar and vocals. Catch us at the High Street Concert series on May 6. Nicely crafted songs and  three part harmonies abound with honky-tonk stomp and swing rhythms.  Traditional bluegrass is one of the hardest types of music to get just right, and what great rewards when you do.

Hamster Theatre is a wildly eclectic band of six playing mostly composed pieces for a wide range of instruments.  Accordion, electric guitar, trombone, electric bass, saxes, clarinets, piano and more are included in the mix.  Fronted by Dave Willey , a master musician in his own right, and all around pretty good guy, and Jon Stubbs, musical adventurist and defender of truth. 

Listen!

Brother Mule

Big Twang is still the name of a great  CD recorded by Brian Wicklund and Ben Winship, with me , Mike Dowling (guitar),  Jeff Newsom (harp), Marc Bru (percussion) and Ed Domer (snare), but the moniker has been claimed. We are now known as Brother Mule. We get together to play only occasionally, since we live so far apart.  Ben’s a great writer and singer and picks a mean mando.  Brian’s a brilliant fiddler, teacher and author of many filddle books and instructional dvds.  Both are amazing performers  and writers and a healthy influence on my general being.    You can never have too many smart talented friends, this pair is a hoot.  Look for shows and clinics all over the globe.  Brian’s in Oman as I write this.  Ben lives in Victor, ID and runs The Henhouse recording studio.  He’s also known for his association with Loose Ties, Kane’s River and Growling Old Men (w/ John Lowell.)   Brian lives in Marine on St. Croix, MN and can often be heard on Prarie Home Companion or touring around with Kathy Kallick, Mike Compton and Keith Little, and Chris Stuart.  He’s also produced a number of  instructional DVDs and method books for fiddle, cello and soon mandolin.

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Area 15 is a great avenue of exploration with guitarist Mitch Chmara and drummer Ben Makinen.  Ben recorded our first gig in 2003 and made it available on CD.  We have a great time seeking and trying to break through our own boundaries with as many sonic creations we can produce in any given evening.    Mitch is an artist of heroic proportions.  Ben is expressive in anything he does.  Expect daring turns in each set of Area 15’s power trio.

Listen!

Jefferson Hamer lives in my garage, playing fiddle, guitar, banjo and shakers 'til the dawn. When he does come out, he splays a wealth of songs that are beautifully melodic and deeply intelectual. That cat can sing, too! Catch him in Great American Taxi, Single Malt Band, or The Wayfarers or various incarnations of garage bands known as Cosmic American Ensemble or Atomic City.

Jake Schepps and Expedition is a fun group of acoustic all stars from the Boulder region. Jake writes some fun tunes and is a leading force on the banjo. The band also features Adam Aijala from Yonder Mountain String Band on guitar, Greg Schochet wonderful player/producer lately of Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams on mando and the immitable Todd Livingston (founding former member of Hit and Run) on dobro. See us in Durango at the Meltdown in April.

Oskars Open Bluegrass Pick… Come down and pick with the Lyons locals.  No pressure, high quality jam session, in the bluegrass vein.   Anyone’s welcome, we go around the circle, every one gets a chance to call the next tune or pass to the next.  It’s a great way to get started playing with a group of like-minded musicians.  You never know what local and national bluegrass celebrities may show up.

Visit more musicians on the links page