User:Geetardave/Puddletown Ramblers

Puddletown Ramblers is an American bluegrass music ensemble founded in 1996 based in Portland, Oregon.

History
This unstoppable force, believe me, people have tried to stop them, was hatched on a glorious Wednesday night in 1996 when three outstanding young-ish men met for the first time at Chick Rose’s bluegrass class, Steeplegrass, in Vancouver, Washington.

Upon striking that first out-of-tune chord, while playing completely different songs, the boys knew it was destiny. Well, time went by and their playing ability improved to beginner level. They decided it was predetermined that they form some sort of band to try and get paid for jamming together. This lead to the formation of the bluegrass supergroup Puddletown Ramblers. The heavens parted, the sun shone and the legend was born.

The guys took it to the next level by adding a fiddle and a bass player who shared their dream of one day becoming bluegrass kings. With the addition of the bass, rhythm and timing were suddenly discovered and their distinctive sound was unleashed upon the world. The boys practiced and practiced the old-time and traditional songs, and, when one of them learned to write, they began performing some original songs in addition to ripping off other band’s set lists. This was the sign they were waiting for and took the show on the road; pretty much taking any gig offered to them out of desperation. They paid their dues to the bluegrass gods and got the experience and gas money they needed to become international superstars. The boys learned through the struggle of “the long hard road” that it takes a lot of hard work and effort to be a band. It’s not like jamming in a la-z-boy at all! They overcame the long nights, obcessed fans, paparazzi and supermodels, and went on to over twelve years and counting of incredible shows.

Over the years they have earned at least a few really loyal fans in Yugoslavia Their CD Black Highway is a big hit in the Eastern Block. They are currently searching for other songs to rip off for their upcoming newest release. The band has learned a lot while performing, including, always zip up your pants before going onstage. Plus, they found out that chicken wire dices the tomatoes perfectly when thrown at the rate of at least sixty miles per hour. The Puddletown Ramblers are survivors and a great bluegrass legend. The legend that just won’t die. http://www.puddletownramblers.com

Members

 * Original members
 * David Peterson - lead guitar, dobro, lead vocals, harmony vocals
 * Tom Martin - banjo, lead vocals, harmony vocals
 * Joe Martin - rhythm guitar, lead vocals, harmony vocals
 * Fred Schulz - fiddle, mandolin, lead vocals, harmony vocals
 * Walt Jacobson - bass


 * Past members
 * Gene Rhinehart - dobro
 * Diana Brendel - harmony vocals

Discography

 * Black Highway (Raindrop Entertainment, 2005)
 * Travellin' Blues (Raindrop Entertainment, 2009)