MUSICIAN BIOS

Billy Park - guitar, lead vocals
Sometimes it takes new eyes to help you appreciate an old friend. Having been introduced to traditional bluegrass in the recent years, Billy is totally enamored with the classic raw sound of the Stanley Brothers and their peers. He also recognizes a vitality that won't be fenced in by a label. In his song "That Memphis Sound", Billy captures that energy, and highlights the nearly forgotten bluegrass mutation that bred again with blues to produce rockabilly. The result is an irresistible drinking song that embodies much of Dirty River's sound.

Gary Cole - bass, vocals
Perhaps the most effusive member of the band, Gary was raised on bluegrass, rock, and country. Combined with years of life experience and a great feel for the pulse of a song, this makes Gary the backbone of the band both rhythmically and socially. Gary is exceptionally straightforward, and has the rare gift of making instant friends. "I never meet strangers", he says. "I only meet friends that I want to get to know."

Michael Barton - dobro, vocals
Michael is a sharp and aggressive dobro player; he also brings out the poignant sweetness one associates with master Jerry Douglas. He studied under Seldom Scene dobro guru Mike Auldridge, and it shows. He is a winner of the 2004 Rockygrass Dobro Championship in Lyons, CO, as well as the Beverly Davis Judge's Award winner at the 2005 Resonator Guitar National Championship. In addition to technical prowess, Michael also contributes a great tenor to the vocal landscape and really fleshes out the sound.

Evan Sands - banjo, vocals
Evan was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where learning banjo is practically a rite of passage. Steeped in traditional bluegrass from an early age, he was also hungry to expand. "In our house we listened to Earl, Aretha, Elvis, and Ludwig.", he laughs. "It's all good." Evan attributes his narrative songwriting style to his late grandmother. "Ma was a storyteller, and she taught me the power of simple words and keeping things real." In addition to Evan's high tenor and lead vocal abilities, he takes on a key role in the arrangement of Dirty River's harmonies.

John Relph - mandolin, vocals
John Relph has played mandolin and guitar (and other instruments) since he was a boy. He plays American old time fiddle tunes, celtic tunes, newgrass, bluegrass, classical, Texas swing, jazz, blues and rock. He is a past California State picking champion on both mandolin and guitar and at one time was one of the top accompanists at fiddle contests in the West. Prior to moving to Maryland he was a member of a number of bluegrass bands in the San Francisco area.