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Roundhouse, formed in 1994, features perhaps the most outstanding bluegrass vocal harmonizing around. Add that to award-winning instrumental skill and their talents extend to folk, gospel, original compositions and acoustic rock although they really "bring it all home" in their bluegrass performances. Musicians include:
- Ron Leavitt's musical career actually began in junior high school orchestra in the late 1960's. In the 1970's he took up the mandolin and hasn't put it down since. His first mandolin performances were with a rock and roll band but he switched his allegiance to bluegrass in 1978 after hearing Bill Monroe. Lucky for bluegrass fans that he did. Even luckier that he heard (in 1993), fell in love with and later married Kim Jones!
- Kim Jones, unlike many musical performers, didn't have to "start" a musical career; she was born with it as part of her genetic code and began performing with her father's band, Jones and Company, in the mid 1980's which later reorganized into the award winning group, Higher Ground. Kim is bass guitarist, lead/tenor singer for Roundhouse, but perhaps her greatest contribution is original compositions including "One More Day in the Rain." Kim, transplanted to Oregon from Snohomish, Washington, knows what she's writing about.
- Doug Dick's powerful tenor lead gives Roundhouse a distinctively rousing edge. Dick's musical journey started when he was very young, singing in church, progressed through years playing with California groups and was highlighted when he placed second in the 1996 Oregon State Banjo Picking Championship. His years of experience are evident in the talent he brings to Roundhouse.
- Ron Stanley, the newest member of Roundhouse, is also an award winner, earning first place in the 1999 Columbia Gorge Dobro Competition. He background includes hosting a bluegrass radio program in California. Ron lends his lifetime of musical experience to Roundhouse singing lead and harmony vocals along with his superior dobro talent.
A snippet from their performance itinerary:
- July 3: Oregon Gardens, Silverton, OR, 3:00-5:30
- July 8: Buffalo Gap, Portland, OR, 6:00-8:00
- July 12: McMinnville "Turkey-Rama" McMinnville, OR, 3:30-5:00
- July 13-15: Prospect Bluegrass Festival
- July 19: McMinnville Brown Bag Lunch Series, McMinnville, OR, 11:30
- July 20: Snake and Weasel, Portland, OR 9:00-12:00 p.m.
- July 31: Woodburn Library Summer Concert Series, Woodburn, OR 7:00-8:00
For more information on scheduled events, CD sales, booking Roundhouse for your event, or to join the Roundhouse mailing list, call: 503-838-2838 or drop them an e-mail.
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