Randy

About me:

I am the proud son of a West Virginia coal miner. Before my family moved to New Jersey in 1962, I began to develop a love for the music from the inspiration of my grandmother and father. At the age of 17 I joined the jams at Joe and George Albert's Homeplace (which evolved into the Albert Music Hall) where I played guitar and went on to learn the bass. For 24 years I have been very fortunate to be the host of the Sunday morning bluegrass radio show, Bluegrass Jam (WBJB 90.5FM) at Brookdale Community College. Many thanks to the originator of the Bluegrass Jam, Mr. Tom Gamberzky who started the program in 1980.I have the pleasure of sharing the hosting of the program with a great friend Heidi Olsen .I have been blessed to have played bass with such great pioneers in bluegrass music including the late Bob Paisley, James King, Ronnie Stoneman the late Rose Maddox and recently with Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys. Locally I have performed with Joe King and the Shady Mountain Boys, Jimmy Moore and the Blue Mountain Boys, D.W. Griffiths and the Rank Strangers, Kentucky Roots, Jim Murphy and the Pine Barons, Terry McGill and Straight Drive, Mark Miklos and the Raritan Valley Ramblers, Home Cookin' and the Singing Conquerors. I have been very fortunate to have been the master of ceremonies for the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, The Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association concerts,The New Jersey Folk Festival, and many other shows. Over the years I have been included on recording with such great artists including D.W. Griffiths and The Rank Strangers, Dick Torstrick, Travis Wetzel, Steve Lutke,Past Times Bluegrass Band, Marl Miklos and most recently Diane McKoy. I have had the pleasure of producing several educational programs for the Pinelands Cultural Society including Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, The Life and Times of Jimmy Martin and most recetly Echoes from the Foggy Mountain Top the story of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. I hope to continue performing and hosting the radio broadcast.I am a Lifetime Member of the Pinelands Cultural Society and a Trustee for the Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association of New Jersey. I would one day like to record a project in order to raise funds for Water for People.I would like to say thank you to my family for being both encouraging and understanding with my career in Bluegrass Music.

Sweet Virginia Past Times Bluegrass Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2MVfe4lUG4