Band Profile

Discography

1/4 Mile Combo: Rockabilly
This rockin' band, based in Sonoma County, plays all over the Bay Area (and is a car show favorite.)   Nettie Hammar sings lead.  Justin Barr plays guitar and is the future deadbeat dad of the package he's patting in the picture.  Gary Daly in the big wig plays drums and knows every blonde joke ever told.  Todd Troublemaker, flashing his beer appreciation credentials, plays the stand-up bass.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD/EP: 4-Song Demo

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77 el Deora: Alt-Country
This band is about strong songs with strong hooks.  Lead singer Jenn Courtney gets torchy on the slow ones and wails on the fast ones.  Guitarist, Maurice Tani, writes the songs and sings.  Steve Kallai lets his fiddle do the talking while Keith Bahjat and Christopher Fisher supply bass and drums.  The audio link (right) is to "This Record Sucks" which appeared on the Hicks with Sticks compilation, A Town North of Bakersfield.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Sirens

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A.J. Roach: Twanger-Songwriter
A.J. Roach's wonderful songs have found fans all over the world.  Originally from Scotts County, Virginia, he attended classes in the same hall at Virginia Tech where tragedy struck in 2007.  That ought to be good for a song or two.  A.J. plays solo and with a trio.  He has a few videos on YouTube, most with the trio.  The video link at the left is to a solo performance of "Chemicals".  YouTube will list tracks with the trio.  The audio link is to "Grandaddy" which appeared on the Hicks with Sticks compilation, A Town North of Bakersfield..

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Dogwood Winter

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Tom Armstrong

Axton Kincaid: Alt-Country
The Bay Area is catching on to Axton Kinkaid since their 2007 debut CD, which gets lots of airplay at Hicks with Sticks Central.  Kate Howser (acoustic guitar) writes the songs and sings, Jennifer Daunt does mandolin and vocals.  Mac Martine (pedal steel), Jon Fojtik (drums, vocals) and Ryan Waggoner (bass, trumpet, vocals) round out the band.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Revelations
CD: Songs from the Pine Room

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The B-Stars :  Honky-Tonk
One of the Bay Area's newer bands, the B-Stars are one honky-tonking outfit.  Greg Yanito plays acoustic guitar and sings lead, Eric Reedy (Jiffy Mellows) plays upright bass, Jon Braham is on the drums and Bill McKenna plays electric and steel guitar.  They all back vocals as well.  Put on your dancin' shoes for this band.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: 4-song demo

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The Bachelors: Rockabilly/Vintage Rock
The Bachelors have been playing every Monday at The Saloon in North Beach since God was a teenager.  Brent "Mr. B." Byners plays bass and sings.  Jinx Jones plays guitar and sings; various friends play drums.  The band plays many styles of rockin' Americana music, the heart of which lies between rockabilly and vintage rock, though no tired oldies.  No site, no MySpace, no nothing except show up at The Saloon every Monday and rock.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Live at the Saloon

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Pete Bernhard

Big B & his Snake Oil Saviors: Honky Tonk, R&B
This dance-friendly band combines influences from western swing, old school R&B, and jump swing.  Ben "Big B" Beuttner plays the hollow-body electric guitar and sings.  The band has a horn section with tenor sax and trumpet.  David Phillips plays steel, Rob Reich plays keyboard, the horn section features Brian Campbell on tenor sax and clarinet and John Halbleib- Trumpet, Garry Williams plays drums and Mark Petrella plays bass.  Jennifer Jolly is on piano.

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The Billy Boys : Rockin' Country
Everyone in this band is "Billy" and each plays guitars and stuff.  Billy P. would rather be an undertaker.  Billy D. is a retired bounty hunter who does miss the danger, Billy C. steals cars and cattle, and Billy W. was recruited into the band right out of prison. 

DISCOGRAPHY
Under the Big Sky -- CD
Hard Men Ride -- CD

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Bluenotecats: Rockabilly
DaltonJerry ( <--- not a typo ) plays guitar and sings, Djordje Stijepovic slaps bass and adds vocals while Greg Gallup keeps time in this north county trio whose original tunes draw from rock n roll, rockabilly, blues, bluegrass, country, swing and surf.

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Doug Blumer & the Beerhunters

The Buckshot Boys : Rockabilly
The Buckshot Boys play "flat git it" rockabilly.  This band is young, full of rocking energy and a fine reminder of how well rockabilly and youth go together.  Cassidy Crowley on vocals, plays guitar and writes songs.  Brett Beaudry plays lead guitar,  Evan Saunders thumps bass and Skyler Coleman pounds skins.

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Burning Embers: Hillbilly
The Burning Embers have evolved from a hybrid bluegrass-country band to a full-on country band.  Thomas Wille plays electric lead guitar, Les James is on  drums, Katy Rexford plays fiddle, Josh Lazarus thumps the upright bass, and Eric Embry plays rhythm guitar and banjo.  Embry and Rexford sing most on the songs, some as duets.

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J. Byrd & the Tater Trio

Careless Hearts : Alt-Country
This band's engaging alt-country sound is doing a fine job of bringing life back to the musically moribund San Jose/South Bay area.  Paul Kimball sings lead vocals and plays rhythm guitar, Derek See plays lead guitar and sings, Brian Michael plays bass and Eric Powers plays drums.

DISCOGRAPHY
Careless Hearts -- CD

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Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites: Western Swing & Bop
Cari Lee and Steve Merritt have piloted Cari Lee and the Saddle-ites through three CDs and up to five-piece band configurations, but playing as a trio, as they do now with Danny Santos on bass, is their best line-up yet.  The band is so comfortable playing obscure C/W covers mixed with their originals, that they can relax on stage, give and take with the audience, and deliver tight country sets.

DISCOGRAPHY
Brought To You Via Saddle-ite Star Tone 2006
The Road Less Traveled 2003
Red Barn Baby 2001
Church Bell Boogie 7" Single 2000

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Charlie Roman & the Teenage Werewolves: Rockabilly
This band finally surrendered to MySpace in 2007, which was quite a sacrifice for a hard-chargin', down to the primer rockabilly band.  If there were only five real rockabillies in San Francisco, Charlie Roman, who plays rhythm guitar and howls at the moon, would be three of them.

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The Chop Tops: Rockabilly
The Chop Tops are Gary "Sinner" Marsh (drums, vocals), Shelby Legnon (guitar), and T.K. slapping the bass.  The Chop Tops are one of the most versatile rockabilly trios anywhere.  They can rock, get dark without getting morose, or play a spaghetti western tune like the one you can hear by clicking "Audio" to the right.  This Santa Cruz-based band joined the Van's Warped Tour in 2007.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Triple Deuces
CD: Evil Six
CD: Always Wild
CD: Tales of Hot Rods, Hot Broads, & Lucky Odds!

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Chrome Johnson: Junkabilly
This quartet calls it "junkabilly" because their music lies somewhere in the musical Bermuda Triangle connecting rockabilly, alt-country and rock.  Danny Uzilevski leads the band and writes the songs.  The band got back into action in 2007 after a three-year break and are ready to break out of Marin County where they draw audiences regularly.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Chrome Johnson

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The Cotton Pickers: Honky Tonk
The Cotton Pickers, fronted by Mitch Polzak and Laura Bermudez, play private events.  Billy Wilson handles steel guitar, Christopher Fisher and Steven Strausse are on drums and bass.   Marti Jara plays fiddle.  This is the busy Mr. Polzak's honky-tonk band.  A full-time musician, he also teaches and plays with the Sure-Fires, Royal Deuces, Alhambra Valley Band, Gerard Landry and the Lariats, and the Fireball Mailmen to name a few.

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The Country Squires: Alt-Country
The Country Squires have risen out of the ashes of Calamity & Main re-emerging with Maurice Tani on electric lead guitar, Misisipi Mike Wolf on acoustic lead guitar, and Christopher Fisher playing drums.  Doug Blumer (Westerlys, Dallas Wayne) plays bass, and Smelley Kelley (Red Meat, Plain High Drifters), while not an official member of the band, is often a featured hillbilly-empowered singer in residence.

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The Cowlicks: Twang Rock
Winners of the 2004 California Music Award for Best Country, The Cowlick's lineup is now set on the trio, pictured at left, of Mike Anderson, Dan Newitt and Todd Novak, though expect various friends of the band to add help now and again.  They've played some special shows, including performing with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys at Ralph's 80th birthday party.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Country with Attitude (CWA)

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Dave Crimmen Band

Crooked Roads: Twang
This band is built around Chris Dingman's songs of passion, angst and heartbreak as cataloged in his debut Heartbreak Sampler CD, which is packaged to resemble a Whitman's Sampler candy box.  SWM seeks female companionship that won't break this heart.  Apply c/o Crooked Roads.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Heartbreak Sampler

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Dave Crimmen Band : Rockabilly/Vintage Rock
Dave Crimmen is so vintage that he still releases 45 RPM singles on vinyl.  He has had to give up vinyl albums and cassette tapes in favor of CDs though.  His published music is all original material, but his live sets are mainly covers of '50s-60s rock and roll, ballads, and even a little surf.  He can play other decades and styles if called upon, so go ahead and yell "Freebird" at one of his shows if you insist.

DISCOGRAPHY
"1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air" - Burning Tyger 7" Single
Big Daddy D -- Burning Tyger CD
"Revved Up" --  Burning Tyger 7" Single
"Rockin' Bop Baby" --Burning Tyger  7" Single
Where He Left Off -- Burning Tyger CD
"Let It Rock" -- Burning Tyger 7" Single
The Son of Sun -- Burning Tyger CD
" If You Said Yes" -- Burning Tyger CD
  Photos    Audio   Video   MySpace

The Devil Makes Three: Acoustic Alt-Country
This popular band tours and regularly sells out mid-sized venues like Great American Music Hall and The Independent.  It's easy to hear why.  Great songs, tight musicianship and a strong stage presence keep bringing people back for more.  Pictured, Pete Bernhard plays guitar, writes the songs and sings most leads.  Lucia Turino plays upright bass and sings and Cooper McBean plays guitar, banjo, saw and sings.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: A Little Bit Faster & A Little Bit Worse
CD: Longhorns, Boots and a Belt -- 2004 CD
CD: Devil Makes Three -- 2002 CD

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Johnny Dilks & his Country Soul Brothers

Doug Blumer & the Beerhunters: Honky Tonk
Left-to-right, this band is Jeff Hanson (pedal steel, lead guitar), Rob McClosky (bass), Doug Blumer (rhythm guitar) and Ken Owen (drums).  This band, particularly Blumer and McClosky, have played together for a long time and they play a mix of covers and originals. 

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Rusty Evans & Ring of Fire

Gayle Lynn and the Hired Hands: Twanger/Songwriter
Gayle Schmitt writes the songs and fronts this five-piece band.  Ted Garber plays dobro, Tom Drohan is on upright bass, Cory Losee plays drums and Mike Roper sings backup and plays harmonica.  This band is for grown-ups but Gayle, whose day job is to bring music into schools, also leads the Toodala Ramblers for the younger set.

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Joe Goldmark & the Seducers

Toshio Hirano

Howdy! : Twang-Americana
From the rompin' school of acoustic twang, Howdy! combines country, bluegrass, rock and whatever else moves them into a unique Americana stew.  Howdy! is Sean Hancock (Mandolin, Vox), David Nanstad (Guitar, Harmonica, Vox), Aspen Stevenson (Upright Bass/Vox), Chris Erbacher (Banjo, Pedal Steel) and P.J. Medina (Drums, Percussion)

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Tom Huebner

Valerie Jay & the Americanos

Hotsy Totsy Hillbilly Jazzbos: Very Retro Country
Country music was born in the 1930s by combining elements of traditional music, mountain music, popular song, Tin Pan Alley and even polka and blues.  The Jazzbos, led by Rick Quisol (seated), play the roots that "roots" country comes from.

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J. Byrd and the Tater Trio:  J. Byrd Hosch teams up with Mike Billo (bass), John Lefler (drums) and Misisipi Mike Wolf (lead guitar) to play some of the finest original hillbilly songs this side of J. Byrd's native Texas. 

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Jason Overton: Bluesabilly
The opening track on Jason Overton's CD announces his love of country and the blues which he has fused together to create his unique bluesabilly sound.  Veteran bluesman Freddie Roulette plays lap steel in the band.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD -- Jason Overton

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The Jenny Kerr Band : Twang Rock
This SF-based band generally plays low-profile shows around the Bay Area, but they are the most popular Bay Area band in Europe where they tour the festival circuit every summer.  This band has a blues side as Jenny Kerr can belt 'em out when called upon.

DISCOGRAPHY
Wood and Steel
Extra Strength -- Okey Doke CD
Itch -- JennyCo Records CD/EP

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Jeanie & Chuck's Country Roundup: Twang Americana
Jeanie (guitar) and Chuck (mandolin) Poling are the core of this long-standing band.  A  long-lived band is bound to have line-up changes, and though their line ups are not volatile, they kid that the band's name comes from the two of them plus whoever they can round up.  The band is equally at home playing bluegrass or country and lets the audience and venue dictate the way they'll go at any given show.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: 6-song demo EP

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Jinx Jones and the King Tones: Rockabilly
Jinx Jones can play many guitar styles and his bands are as diverse as his playing.  Rocking out is his main interest with the Kingtones.   His playing is so good as to draw sponsorships for guitars, amps and pick-ups.  He learned from guitar master Roy Buchannon who was a musician's musician.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Rumble & Twang
CD: License to Twang

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Joe Goldmark & the Seducers: Honky-Tonk
Joe Goldmark and the Seducers may be more of a project than a band, but they're a good project.  The band comes together in different line-ups to make CDs that feature Godlmark's steel guitar playing.  His latest CD twangs up the 1960s with guests like Bart Davenport who sang for The Loved Ones.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Seducing the '60s
CD: Strong Like Bull... but Sensitive Like Squirrel
CD: All Hat, No Cattle
CD: Steelin' the Beatles
CD: The Goldmark Round-Up
CD: All Over the Road
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Johnny Dilks & his Barroom Roses: Honky Tonk
Johnny Dilks and his Country Soul Brothers have one of the strongest bands in the Bay Area.  Flanked by Dave Gleason on lead guitar and Dave Zirbel on pedal steel, this band can really get the dance floor moving and entertain a crowd.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Acres of Heartaches

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The Jenny Kerr Band

Kitty Rose: Honky Tonk
Kitty Rose is the only one of the Bay Area's urban cowboys and cowgirls who actually owns horses.  It is a stretch to call he "Bay Area" though as her hacienda is in Hopland about 90  miles north of San Francisco where she plays regularly, both solo and with her band.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Live at the Ryman
CD: Greatest Hits
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Lariats of Fire : Honky Tonk
During performance, this band's drum kit is actually encircled by a Lariat of Fire.  Their name and firey lariat are a sure sign of a band that's having fun as they play a combination of hoky-tonk originals and covers ranging from Merl Haggard to twanged-out Pink Floyd.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Sweet Home Alameda (5-song demo)

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Loretta Lynch: Alt-Country
This band is built around the song writing and singing talents of Val Esway, Heather Davidson and Ari Fellows-Mannion. Motherhood coming to two of the band members has slowed their live appearances, but it didn't stop them from releasing a fine CD.  Their sound is a unique blend of alt-country and urban influences.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Back in the Saddle

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Lost Weekend: Western Swing
Lost Weekend is western swing big band style, and though the number of players may vary from show to show, they are all top flight.  Don Burnham (rhythm guitar) leads the band.  Pam Brandon (Belle Monroe and the Brewglass Boys) sings,  Bobby Black (Commander Cody) plays pedal steel and Bing Nathan (Lavay Smith) plays bass.  Beside band members too numerous to list, Burnham has a lot of musical friends, so expect some fine guest players at Lost Weekend shows.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Harbor Lights and Cowboy Tunes

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Gayle Lynn & the Hired Hands

Audrey Auld Mezera

The Mighty Slim Pickins: What-the-Fuckabilly

You have to hear it to understand it, but The Mighty Slim Pickens really are, as they describe themselves, a what-the-fuck band.  Lead vocalists Leigh Crow (Elvis Herselvis) and Nettie Hammar front the band while Roxane Chicoine plays stand-up bass, Outlaw Franny G. is on drums and Jen Grady plays the electric and Mr. Chris plays the acoustic.
 

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Misisipi Rider: Alt-Country
The future is looking bright for Misisipi Rider.  Misisipi Mike Wolf and Cree Rider write the songs and sing.  Both had a stockpile of songs that needed to get out.  They started as a duo and were soon joined by Doug Blumer on stand-up bass and Katy Rexford on fiddle.  The audio (right) was recorded in a living room and the video was shot at the Make-Out Room.  Darned fine for quick and dirty.

Octomutt's Country Cousin: Country-Western
Ted Severese (guitar) and Ashley Adams (bass) form the core of Octomutt, a band that is difficult to classify because it plays several styles.  But when they play as Octomutt's Country Cousin, they're a five-piece all country band.

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Pete Olson & his Honky Tonk Band

Jason Overton

Pete Bernhard: Twanger-Songwriter
This is the solo project of the frontman from Devil Makes Three.  His solo shows have slowed down in 2007 as he tours with DM3 and completes work on this second solo CD.  Bernhard is fortunate to be able to write more good songs than DM3 can play and this solo project is the best way to release them.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Things I left Behind

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The Pine Box Boys: Twangabilly Darkgrass
The Pine Box Boys, as their name implies, are not about being pretty side.  Their original material is dark, yet very entertaining.  They headline shows around the Bay Area and have toured in Europe.  They also have two strong CDs to their credit.  S. "Your Uncle" Dodds plays drums, Lester T. Raww plays guitar and sings lead vocals, Col. Timothy Leather plays stand-up bass and Alex "Possum" Carvidi plays banjo and sings.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Stab!
CD: Arkansas Killin' Time

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The Polka Cowboys: Vintage Twang
The Polka Cowboys play a few polkas but they are not a polka band.  They chose their name to fool us.  Find Ray Landsberg on fiddle, Patty DeVea on drums, Art Peterson on accordion/vocals and Kurt Stevenson on bass/harmony vocals every fourth Wednesday at Champa Thai Restaurant & Dance Hall, 3550 San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante.

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Porkchop Express: Alt-Country
They started out just being buddies drinking beers and picking a few tunes.  The next thing they knew they were a band, and one with a sense of humor.  John Brunn is on guitar and lap steel, Collin Conoley provides the lead vocals and plays ukulele, Brian Hamilton plays lead guitar,  Ryan Johnson plays harmonica, Kevin Kalahiki handles both electric and standup bass and Kitt Thompson adds drums and vocals.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: All You Can Handle -- CD/EP
CD: The Clock Radio Sessions -- CD

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Real Sippin' Whiskeys: Alt-Country
This band has been playing for over 10 years but they keep a low profile playing only 3-4 shows each year.  The core of the band is Robbie Thayer on rhythm guitar and vocals and Jeanna Steele on fiddle and vocals.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Real Sippin' Whiskeys -- CD

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Red Meat: Alt-Country/Honky-Tonk
The main thing that has kept this band out of the national spotlight is that they don't tour, but the hits keep coming on their four CDs.  Smelley Kelley sings most lead vocals, Scott Young plays rhythm guitar, sings lead and harmony and writes most of the songs, Jill Olson plays bass and also sings lead and harmony and writes songs, Michael Montalto plays lead guitar, Les James harmonizes and keeps the backbeat.

DISCOGRAPHY
We Never Close -- Ranchero Records CD
Alameda County Line -- Ranchero Records CD
13 -- Ranchero Records  CD
Meet Red Meat -- Ranchero Records CD

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The RevTones: Rockabilly
The RevTones are a new band and a good one as the songs on their site prove.  Randy Schmidt handles guitar and vocals, Marcus "Hot Rod" Edell plays drums and Roxane Chicoine is on doghouse bass.

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Rhythm Rangers: C/W
The Rhythm Rangers feature Kevin Russell (Modern Hicks, Laughing Gravy, Under the Radar) on rhythm guitar and vocals; Dave Zirbel (Mother Truckers, Johnny Dilks & his Country Soul Brothers) on lead, lap and pedal steel; Blair Hardman on bass and Ric Cutler on drums.  This veteran is country cover Band plays regularly in Sonoma and Marin counties, but has no web personna as yet.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Not Out of the Woods Yet

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A.J. Roach

Charlie Roman & the Teenage Werewolves

Kitty Rose

The Royal Deuces: Rockabilly
The Royal Deuces are working on their second CD.  This is one of the rockabilly incarnations of Mitch Polzak who is also in two other bands on this page (Sure-Fires, Fireball Mailmen).  Mike Walz plays upright bass, Rick Quisol is on drums and Steve Merritt plays rhythm guitar.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Introducing the Royal Deuces

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Rusty Evans and Ring of Fire: Honky Tonk
Rusty Evans' Johnny Cash covers are popular at his live shows because they are great songs and he does them so well.  In fact, Cash's songs have taken Evens all over the world.  But this isn't a Cash tribute band as their live shows and CDs will confirm.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: I'm Comin' Home
CD: Rusty Evans and Ring of Fire

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The Saddle Cats: Western Swing
The Saddle Cats are, left-to-right, swing/bop guitar master Gordon Clegg, conservatory-trained Bing Nathan who has played with an Igor Stravinsky-led orchestra, steel player Bobby Black (Asleep at the Wheel, Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen) and Richard Chon (Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Sons of the San Joaquin).

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Saint Peterbilt

Shut-Ins: Hulabilly
"Hulabilly" is the only way to describe the Shut-Ins' Hawaiian-influenced hillbilly music.  This is Mike Roper and John Poultney, seen here in the Lear's front seats, at their visionary best, and though they are having fun,  this is not a joke band.  Tom Drohan (stand-up base) and Cory Losee (drums) keep the beat.  Rick Hendricks (in blue) played lap steel, but has recently moved on to other projects.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: A Very Shut-Ins Christmas
CD: Songs of Pain and Joy
CD: The Shut-Ins

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Starlene: Country
Starlene ( Catherine Foreman) is back after a long break from Bay Area music.  Mike Wolf and Tom Huber play guitars, Maurice Tani is on bass and Christopher Fisher is on drums. 

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St. Peterbi lt: Honky Tonk
Old truckers never die; they just get a new Peterbilt.  St. Peterbilt, "a double clutchin', scale jumpin', mile makin', tailgaitin', possum squashin', cop dodgin', pinballin', jackknifen', gear bustin' sort of a band," plays wall-to-wall trucking songs.  Paul Riley - Vocals and Guitar, Justin Barr - Lead Guitar, Chris Bradley - Bas, Andy Rosa - Drums. 

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The Sweet 'n Lo's: Country Sweethearts
The ukulele duo of Anne Arnhym and Loraine Belmonte have teamed up with guitarist Pierre Laik (Hotsy Totsy Hillbilly Jazzbos) and upright bassist Brendan Glueck (Texas Steve & the Git Gone Trio) to be the Bay Area's #1 country sweethearts.

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Texas Steve & the Git Gone Trio: Rockabilly
Texas Steve is on vocals and rhythm guitar, Reid Rogers plays lead, Brendan Glueck plays bass and Dan Pilarski is on drums.  The band plays straight-up rockabilly with a Texas twist. 

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Tom Armstrong: Country
Tom Armstrong had been taking a break from music but has recently re-emerged playing solo shows and as the bassist in the Plain High Drifters.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Songs That Make the Jukebox Play
CD: Tom Armstrong Sings Heart Songs

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Tom Huebner: Country
Tom Hubner, who played with the Caribbean band Key Lime Pie, has been known to slip a few of those licks into his country music, particularly in his originals.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Highway 43
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Tommy Thomsen & his Rebels without Applause: Western Swing
Tommy Thompson is in the Western Swing Hall of Fame.  Though he lives in Sonoma County, he mainly plays at the HOF in Sacramento every month.

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Toshiro Hirano: Country Favorites
An original Japanese cowboy, Toshio Hirano was taken by the music of Jimmy Rogers, learned to play, sing and even yodel, and the rest is history.

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Los Train Wreck: Twang-Americana
Los Train Wreck is a band of veteran players assembled by Kathi Goldmark to play the open mike at El Rio on every second Tuesday.  They sometimes find other ways to play as they did when they formed the backline for Hicks with Sticks' A Town North of Bakersfield CD release party.

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Valerie Jay and the Americanos: Pop/Country
Valerie Jay has returned to music after a maternity leave.  She has announced some solo and duo shows while she ramps up the band again.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Valerie Jay and the Americanos

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The Whoreshoes : Alt-Country
Having fun is what The Whoreshoes are about, as if their name and the posed picture at the left didn't give that away.  They play different instruments which gives them more arrangement possibilities, but usually Diana Greenberg plays stand-up bass, Lala Hulse plays lap steel or banjo, Joni Rueter plays fiddle, Camilla Lincoln plays keyboard, washboard or ukulele, and Emily Stucky plays guitar.  Emily, Camille and Joni sing.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: The Whoreshoes

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Yard Sale: Pop/Country
Melanie DiGiovanni (accordion), Jill Olson (bass, Red Meat) and Denise Funari (guitar) all write songs and sing.  The band plays a mix of acoustic twang and pop songs that are touching, rousing and invariably well-crafted.

DISCOGRAPHY
CD: Everything's a Dollar

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SF Bay Area Compilations, Solo Projects and Former Bay Area Bands

This band has had difficulties stablizing