|
Formed in 2006, the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band is a combination of some familiar faces in the Northwest’s music scene. Although a fairly new configuration, the members of the band have played bluegrass together for over a decade. A band formed of friendships and forged musical journeys; it’s no mystery why these guys are having so much fun performing on stage. Seasoned veterans, champion pickers, and experienced showmen, the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band offers audiences tight vocal harmonies, rock-solid instrumentals, and a musical dynamism which coalesces into a signature “high lonesome sound”, the quality of which is rarely found in a regional band.
A little bit about the members...
Dennis Berck - Rhythm Guitar/lead & harmony vocals ~
Dennis hails from Omaha, Nebraska, and currently calls Eugene, his home. He has an eclectic musical background that encompasses rock & roll and jazz. Dennis is a veteran of the Knott Brothers, The Berck-Pearce Band, and McKenzie Crossing. Dennis aptly sings tenor, high baritone, and lead in the ensemble; he can sing harmony to dog whistle! Dennis’ strong rhythm guitar and superb singing are an integral part of this band’s unique sound. When Dennis isn’t picking and grinning, he repairs fretted instruments for a living. Every now and then, Dennis will pop into the Tuesday night bluegrass jam at Sam Bond’s Garage.
Michael Bray - Acoustic Bass/harmony vocals ~
Mike was born and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and presently is living in Eugene. Mike comes from a family of musicians. His grandpa and dad were plectrum banjo players and were musical influences on Mike during his younger years. Those family influences are what drew Mike into acoustic music. He toured the road as a bass player with Warner recording artist “Alexis” for a year and played for a number of years with a local Eugene, OR, country band called “Bump in the Road.” Mike keeps a steady beat for the band with his rock solid bass playing. Mike is the gracious host at one of Eugene’s local sports bars when he’s not out performing with the band.
Gary Dunbar - Lead/Rhythm Guitar/lead & harmony vocals ~
Gary comes from Central Michigan, but has settled in Eugene. He studies Cultural Anthropology at the University of Oregon. Coming from a musical family, he grew up around music and it has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. Gary, who also performed in “McKenzie Crossing,” is a multi-instrumentalist and a fine lead guitar player, not to mention the fabulous job he does singing lead, tenor, and baritone. Gary took FIRST place at the 2006 Flatpicking Competition in Cashmere, WA, which consisted of finalists from Oregon, California, Alaska and Washington. He is one of those young veterans who is playing and performing music well beyond his years. When he’s not out playing music, Gary is studying as a full time student. He is also the co-host for the weekly Tuesday night bluegrass jam at Sam Bond’s Garage in Eugene.
Chuck Holloway - 5-String banjo/lead & harmony vocals ~
Chuck (nicknamed "chainsaw" because of his aggressive playing style) was born and raised in Southern California. He moved his young family to Oregon in 1985. His earliest recollections of bluegrass music stem from listening to WSM and the Grand Ol’ Opry back in the 50’s when his family lived in Kansas. Chuck is a multi-instrumentalist who started playing guitar in the 60’s, but is currently most comfortable playing the 5 string banjo. He is a former president of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. He has played with a plethora of regional bluegrass musicians. From 1999 through 2004, Chuck was a radio DJ for KRVM. There he programmed, and broadcast three hours of bluegrass music on the "Miles of Bluegrass" show every Monday night. Chuck’s traditional bluegrass music roots keep the band steeped in a traditional sound. When he’s not performing, he teaches guitar, mandolin, and 5 string banjo at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts in Eugene, OR, and does computer work and interior house painting on the side. Chuck is currently assuming the role as band manager, publicist, and booking agent for the group. Twelve years ago, Chuck founded the Tuesday night bluegrass jam at Sam Bond’s Garage. You can see him there, picking away on his five string, most Tuesday nights.
Tyler Lynn - Mandolin/lead & harmony vocals ~
Tyler is also a native Oregonian. Born and raised in the Eugene area, Tyler calls Roseburg his home. He started playing music at a young age, and is another one of those “young” veterans. Tyler knows how to play the bluegrass music the way it’s supposed to be played, playing well beyond his years with drive and soul. Tyler was a founding member of the “The Cascade Colonels.” He sings lead, and baritone in the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band. Tyler is a multi-instrumentalist. He also teams up with his wife to perform gospel music in the “Lynn Family Band.” When Tyler is not out picking, he is a faculty member of Roseburg High School where he teaches Spanish.
Places we played in ’07:
| Oregon Country Fair, Veneta, OR |
| Willamette Valley Folk Festival, Eugene, OR |
| Eugene Celebration, Eugene, OR |
| Mt. Angel Performing Arts Center, Mt. Angel, OR |
| Drain Performing Arts Center, Drain, OR |
| Northwest String Summit Competition, North Plains, OR |
| Sam Bond’s Garage, Eugene, OR |
| Axe and Fiddle, Cottage Grove, OR |
| Cartwright’s Music, Stayton, OR |
| Cozmic Pizza, Eugene, OR |
| Diablo’s Downtown Lounge, Eugene, OR |
| Holiday Market, Eugene, OR |
| Johnny B’s, Medford, OR |
| Harlequin Beads & Jewelry, Eugene, OR |
Green Mountain Bluegrass Band is proud to be sponsored in part by Harlequin Beads & Jewelry located in downtown Eugene, Oregon.
Chuck Holloway exclusively uses Acri Finger Picks, Kat Eyz Banjo
Bridges and S.I.T. Strings
Gary Dunbar plays a Bourgeois guitar
Dennis Berck exclusively plays a Martin guitar
All of the music currently representing the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band, including our demos, our forthcoming album, and the music on MySpace, has been recorded live by Thaddeus Moore at Sprout City Studios. Sprout City Studios is located in Eugene, Oregon... Thank you Thaddeus for your hard work, encouragement, and recording expertise!
I edited my profile with Thomas’ Myspace Editor V4.4
| Green Mountain Bluegrass Band's Friend Space (Top 32) |
|
Green Mountain Bluegrass Band has 680 friends.
|
|
|
|
|
|
