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Meet the band
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Chris Falkner
On banjo, lead and harmony vocals, Chris is a articulate, hard driving banjo player, and adds a nice balance to the vocals. When Chris was a little girl, she would go to bed at night and listen to bluegrass music on her Rudolf the red nosed reindeer radio. She fell in love with the music and wanted more. She started lessons shortly after she received her first banjo as a gift from her Mother. Her first teacher was Annie Kaser from the band, Coon Creek Girls. Chris has always been influenced by some of the greats such as Ralph Stanley, J.D. Crowe, Don Reno and of course Earl Scruggs. She has developed her own style over the years and is highly regarded as one of the best. Some of the bands that Chris has been involved with over the years are, The Corn Killers (with the late great Red Doran and Clyde Webb) from Ingleside, IL. The Bluegrass Travelers, The Hot Flashes (all female band), and Cactus Club. Chris is a founding member of The Jefferson County Bluegrass Band. |
Dale Ward
On mandolin, fiddle, dobro, lead and harmony vocals, Dale contributes great energy to the band with his musicianship and handles a big share of the lead vocal work. Wamandolin, fiddle, Dobro and lead and harmony vocals Dalented to play music all my life. Started imitating Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Paul Anka, Everly Bros. around age 5. Started first band 1964 "Revolutionary". This Band covered lot of Beatles, and other bands of the sixties and early seventies, playing school dances and parties and bar jobs until 1973. 1974 Started the band "Homer Bedloe Band" This band was a country-rock band covering Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Lost Gonzo Band, Willie Nelson Until 1980. 1980 was asked to form a band with former "Hard Times" band members. This band was called "Sidwinder" playing everything from Huey Lewis to ZZ Top. " Sidewinder" opened shows for Black Oak Arkansas, Jerry Jeff Walker, Marshall Tucker and others. Sidewinder also played three years at Milwaukee Summerfest and disbanded in 1987. After the death of a loved one quit playing music for a few years and had a reunion with "Revolutionary" 1995 playing for class reunion. 2000 was asked to learn banjo to play with Catus Club String Band. From that band Brian Cate formed the Jefferson County Bluegrass Band with Dale Ward, Chris Faulkner and later Doug Hodge. |
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Brian Cate
On bass, lead and harmony vocals, Brian, The quiet and modest one of the bunch, keeps the band firmly grounded with his solid bass playing, and adds a great deal to the group with his dynamic vocals. Brian first started to listening to bluegrass about 1985. Three months later, he was totally consumed. He played guitar ( that a friend had given him) for a few years before joining the Cactus Club band as their bass player. Brian formed The Jefferson County Bluegrass Band in 2003. |
Doug Hodge
On guitar, lead and harmony vocals, Doug has a strong solid approach to his guitar playing and is known for his deep baritone voice. he grew up playing Country and Bluegrass music with his family. He played everything that had strings until he was about ten years old. His hands were large enough to get most of the chords on the guitar so that and the bass became his primary instruments. Doug formed his first band (outside the family), about 1963. Most everything he played was Country and Bluegrass up to this point. It was time for Doug to Stretch his legs a little and peruse Rock & Roll. Through the Sixties Doug Played in several bands and had much success with them playing the popular music of the day. Later, he formed the original “Lickety Split Bluegrass Band“. A combination of country, bluegrass and a little folk music. He didn’t have enough Bluegrass in his life so he formed The Harlan County Bluegrass Band. They played many festivals throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota. After the death of one of the best banjo players around, (Dave Little) Doug and good friend, Greg Brazil formed Pickin’ Fools, a duo. After much success, and encouragement of a large booking agency, they formed the “Jasper” band. “Jasper” became a national touring band. Doug does the booking and promotions for the band.
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