Jake Shea (mandolin, vocals) , Jim Benson (guitar, vocals) , Chris Michels (banjo's, Vocals), Jon Knott (bass)
Influences
Bill Monroe, Del McCoury, Tony Rice, Birch Road String band, The Pizza Tapes, Bela Fleck & Flecktones, Old Crow, Phish, Yonder Mountain, Umphrey's Mcgee, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, James Brown, Bryan Sutton, John Hartford, David Grisman, Jethro Tull...and all styles and genres beyond
Grass Monkey: In December of 2004, Jake Shea met Jimmy Benson, who was toting his stringed instrument, and they instantly felt a connection while pickin’ and singing to their favorite old timey bluegrass tunes. Jimmy introduced Jake to an electric bass player, Jon Knott, and they continued their fast paced style of bluegrass together. In October of 2006, Jakes family came up to Marquette, Michigan for the Annual Blues festival. At a local campground they played music and sang all weekend. On the last night of Blues Fest, Jake, Jimmy, and Jon went to finish the weekend with some fast pickin’ bluegrass. Informally meeting up with Chris Michels at the park, Chris picked up the banjo and played a unique approach to the five string banjo. Not knowing at the time the quartet that was jamming at the park just days later would secure a gig under the name GrassMonkey. From there on GrassMonkey has played and opening gig for county allstars Emerson Drive at the Vandament Arena, shared the stage with local band Chasin Steel, Lost Creek, Tomas y Los Ninos, Jesta, continue to pack a number of bars with their local devoted fans, and has currently gigs lined up with Chasin Steel at the Calumet Theatre and Upfront and Co.
Download our tunes and come to our next show!
Don't Miss Rootstand's Summer Tour, Mid Summer Nights Jam, inspired by Shakespeare's Oberon and the beer by the same name...the tour starts at The Circus in Ann Arbor on Wednesday July 9th, goes to the infamous Loft in Flint on thursday July 10th, Up to the famous Loading Dock in TC ,with Mossy Mountain for the first night of Cherry Festival July 11th, and climaxes in the Bell's Beer Garden with Mossy Mountain again, in the spirit of King Oberon himself on July 12th...Can't afford high priced festivals this summer? Come rock it with us intead!.
hey guys, love the latest tunes (i hope snailboats and flatbellys are part of the solution not the problem!) Let's keep in touch and maybe we can do a show or two together this summer.
Jake, you know i play the piano, maybe just maybe I could find a keyboard of some sorts and play some cords with the band. Remember the good ole days when you, Spencer and I would jam for MOM!! Miss those days! Love you guys!:)
hey guys. ever look about playing at the rave? a buddy of mine from HS opened for Keller there....that would be pretty saweet. check it out. http://www. therave. com/regionalbands. asp
