Artist description A four-man acoustic stringband performing original music on guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, & drums. Difficult to describe...easy to listen to.

Music Style Original acoustic stringband/blues/newgrass...renegade folk

Musical Influences willie dixon, steve earle, john hartford, old & in the way, beatles, pink floyd, otis redding, van morrison, bob dylan, nonage, syd barrett, vivaldi, rob woerther, wilco, grateful dead, mingus, blind blake, screaming trees, bob marley, charlie parker, jimmie rodgers, mississippi john hurt, bill monroe, doc watson, norman blake, jesse fuller, cannon's jug stompers, memphis jug band, john lee hooker, beck, rimbaud, blues brothers

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Artist History The River City Buskers began around the winter of 1990 when three high school students decided to get together and make some noise in the basement. Emulating the sounds of their favorite classic rock bands on electric instruments soon gave way to a more intricate form of expression when the boys discovered a more traditional, acoustic influence behind their favorite bands' music. Enthusiastic research led them to recover hundreds of old (forgotten?) blues, bluegrass, folk and old-timely recordings. The next three to four years were spent seeking out jam sessions, knowledgeable instrumentalists, vintage instruments and fiddle tunes. In late '92 they began playing coffeehouses and festivals in the bi-state region. The personnel revolved considerably over the next couple of years as members traveled the country and new friends worked their way into the family. Players of dulcimer, washtub bass, banjo, kazoo, fiddle, mandolin, jug and more have helped the Busker sound throughout the years. The free spirit and openness inherent in the band and the music has laid the groundwork for the ever-transforming, always-performing stringband we like to call the River City Buskers.

Group Members Ian Wallace (a.k.a. Buck Holler) One of the original members, Ian began as a drummer but soon turned to the more melodic endeavors of playing the washtub bass, guitar, and clawhammer banjo. Ian is now primarily the upright bass and banjo player for the Buskers.Bryan Peske (a.k.a. Flapjack Pickens) Peske is a high school alumni with Ian & Ryan. When the boys parted ways after graduation, Peske had been on a straight path through the world of cartooning and film-making. A few years later, the Buskers "rediscovered" him in their old hometown sporting a guitar and kazoo and hosting open mic nights at a couple of local clubs. His strong vocal and writing skills made him a perfect candidate for the band. Peske handles a good portion of the guitar, vocal, kazoo, and songwriting.Ryan Spearman (a.k.a. Tater Jenkins) The other original Busker, Ryan picked up the banjo in the early years when two guitars began to sound tiresome. Later he drifted to the mandolin and the fiddle which are his main focus with the band. He also covers some of the vocal and songwriting duties.Chad Pennington (a.k.a. Mojo Yokem) Chad met Ryan in college and moved to St. Louis in '93. He immediately began playing percussion in a variety of local bands encompassing many styles. Chad is the most recent official inductee; although he has been involved with the band as a soundman, jamming partner, and friend since his arrival in St. Louis. His impressive musical background includes: experience in audio production, classical guitar and flamenco guitar. Not to mention a stint abroad in which he studied roots, acoustic and Celtic music in Finland. Chad covers the percussion duties along with vocals and various string accompaniments.

Instruments Bryan Peske: Guitar, kazoo, & harmonica Chad Pennington: drums, guitar,vocals & other percusion Ian Wallace: upright bass, banjo, & vocals Ryan Spearman: mandolin, fiddle, gutiar, & vocals

Albums Pleadin' the Fifth

Location St. Louis, missouri - USA

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