Formed in 2006, the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band is a combination of some familiar faces on the Northwest’s music scene. Some of the members of the band have played bluegrass together, in different configurations, for over a decade. GMBB is formed of friendships and forged musical journeys; it is no mystery why these guys are having so much fun performing on stage. Seasoned veterans, 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. Dennis’ strong rhythm guitar and superb singing are an integral part of this band’s unique sound. Dennis 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 an optician at one of Eugene’s local optical centers when he’s not out performing with the band.
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 to Oregon in 1985. Chuck is a multi-instrumentalist. He is a former president of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. Chuck’s traditional bluegrass music roots keep the band steeped in a traditional sound. He teaches guitar, mandolin, and 5 string banjo at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, and he teaches 5-string banjo at Lane Community College in Eugene. Thirteen 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. 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.” Tyler is a faculty member of Roseburg High School where he teaches Spanish.
Places we've played:
Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival, Wenatchee, WA
Wheeler County Bluegrass Festival, Fossil, OR
Prospect Bluegrass Festival, Prospect,
OR
Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival, Pasco, WA
River City Bluegrass Festival, Portland, OR
High & Dry Bluegrass Festival, Bend, OR
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 endorses, and exclusively uses Acri Finger Picks, Kat Eyz Banjo
Bridges and S.I.T. Strings
Dennis exclusively plays a Martin guitar
All of the music currently representing the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band, including our demos, 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
