Small Towne is a new band just recently formed in 2007. The band is composed of four unique musicians that come from a variety of musical backgrounds. The members of the band include Tygh Trachsel on bass, Dave Elliott on mandolin, Brad Griswold on banjo, and Randy Weese on guitar. Each individual brings a refreshing and diverse musical contribution to the Small Towne sound. Small Towne’s musical focus arrives at traditional, contemporary, gospel and original bluegrass music.
On acoustic Bass and vocals is Tygh Trachsel. Tygh brings a diverse musical background to the Small Towne quartet. His musical influences range from Christian rock to hard driving traditional bluegrass. Tygh has played in several top notch bands over the years; most notable is Portland’s own Sunny South. Tygh’s smooth vocal style and solid bass lines complete Small Towne’s unique sound. Tygh lives in Gresham, Oregon with his wife Charlene.
On mandolin and vocals is Dave Elliott. Dave is a well known bluegrass musician in the greater Portland area. Dave has played in several top notch bluegrass bands in the past, he too played in Sunny South. Dave is well respected for his Monroe style mandolin playing and his fine tenor vocals. Dave is a featured radio personality on KBOO radio in Portland, where on the second Saturday of every month you can hear bluegrass at its best. Dave lives in Gresham, Oregon where he lives with his wife Flower.
Burning up the banjo, and adding his unique vocal style to Small Towne is Brad Griswold. Brad hails from Tumwater, Washington. Brad’s solid banjo style is heavily influenced by such greats as Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe and Sammy Shelor with just enough melodic and single string influence to make him a complete banjo player. Brad has performed in numerous bluegrass groups around the northwest, including, The Snake Oil Medicine Show, Scatter Creek, Stoney Point and as part of Chinook Wind with Roger and Janice Maddy.
On guitar and vocals is Randy Weese. Randy draws on both traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. Randy’s rhythm and lead guitar style is a result of influences of such legendary greats as Larry Sparks, Clarence White, Roy Nicholls and James Burton. Randy has played in both bluegrass and country bands in his musical career. Randy is a songwriter and plays a little bass and mandolin in addition to guitar. Randy makes his home in the coastal community of Astoria, Oregon, where he lives with his wife Janice.
Small Towne Bluegrass Band's Friend Space (Top 22)
Hey there! Thanks for adding GrassLife as a friend. We hope that you'll come join us at www. grasslife. com - We'd love to see you there! Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
Thanks for the friends request & for sharing your music. Guess we'll be seeing you @ the Clatskanie BG Festival, as we'll be playing there, too! Best wishes - April (Misty Mamas)
thanks for finding me, You sound great, and it looks like you have a great summer lined up. I will be in Oly on Feb 2 at Plenty! restaraunt at 8pm, stop down if you can. Jes
Hey Hey Randy and gang, thanks for the add request, we're more than happy to be friends! Wow! Look at all your gigs! Good for you guys! Here's wishing all your musical dreams come true and we cross paths again SOON and get to share a tune or two!
