Saturday 2:00pm
Rick Russell: Mandolin, Dobro, Banjo, Guitar, Keyboards, Harmonica, Vocal
Rick comes from a musical family (“All five of us played something, my folks saw to it, even though they didn’t play themselves”) He began taking piano lessons at an early age. Growing up in Western N.Y. Rick quickly was drawn to the popular rock music that was burgeoning in the late 60’s & early 70’s. His musical path reached a crossroads when he was exposed to a “magical” treasure of old recordings that his older brother had collected. “Old stuff, field & chain gang hollers, recorded on 78s. He had old Leadbelly, Josh White, Lightning Hopkins, Robert Johnson, & Woody Guthrie vinyl's and I just thought that was the realist stuff I’d ever heard. It opened another window for me to view the world of music”
In springtime of 2009 Rick & Danette were married and they put the finishing touches on Electric Loom Studio. It was then the concept of Stringtown was born and in the summer of 2010 they debuted to packed houses. In May 2011 they released “Stringtown” their first CD, recorded at their beloved homestead. On occasion Rick plays keyboards & harp with the local blues powerhouse “The Juice”.
Danette Russell: Upright & Electric Bass, Mandolin, Flute, Vocals
Danette studied classical flute privately in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a first chair soloist in high school orchestras and on to solo events & ceremonies. Growing up in Southern Ohio, "as far as you could get out of Kentucky on a quarter tank of gas”, as she affectionately puts it, Danette soaked up the music from that region. A rich combination of bluegrass, and the gritty music born in mining communities along with spirituals she learned in church, combined with rock, blues, & country that came through Cincinnati on a regular basis- all shaped her musical spirit. Along the way Danette learned some guitar and eventually found mandolin and settled on bass, both electric and upright as her primary instruments in the band. Danette has incorporated her roots, feel, and openness to all genres of music into the solid foundation of the Stringtown sound. Danette is also co-founder of the duo “Jezebelz” formed in October 2011 with Jane Buonomo.
Jeff Jodice: Drums, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Jeff graduated from the reknowned Berklee Music College. While developing his own style he was influenced greatly by James Jamerson of Motown fame as well as funk masters like Rocco Prestia. He also kept a keen ear open to the great rock bassists like Mel Schacher, Jack Bruce & John Entwistle. He played in many of the top show bands, concerts, & big bands in the Boston area before moving to SW Florida 20 years ago. Since then he has performed with many of the areas most high profile bands. A “musicians musician” Jeff is equally adept on many instruments. He has played bass, keyboards, & drums with the Catman Doodz, and with Jazz composer/pianist John Chapman. Jeff & Rick Russell first met back in 2005 playing gigs on Sanibel and hit it off. When the band needed a full time drummer Jeff answered the call and has added his bass, and soulful keyboard playing to the Stringtown sound as well. Jeff is also an established & accomplished commercial photographer.
Mike Carrington: Guitar, Drums, Bass, Vocals
Mike like many kids first played in his school band. His first instrument was the trombone. “I was always hanging around an uncle who had played the honkytonks and claimed Tex Ritter showed him guitar licks”. By the early 60s Mike’s musical tastes were rooted in the world of the folk music revival of the time, & and an old flattop guitar was his instrument. That all changed with the onset of the British Invasion. It was a huge influence & it wasn’t long after he got his first electric. He studied guitar with Jim Dale who was musical director for CBS variety shows in the 70’s like Sonny & Cher. Over the years Mike has played lead & rhythm guitar, bass guitar & drums, and worked private events and casinos in Las Vegas. He shared stages with a wide variety of headliners from all ends of the musical spectrum. (Rick Derringer & The Village People among them) Locally Mike has stayed busy playing with several prominent bands. A chance meeting led to him sitting in with Stringtown. He is also equally adept on bass & drums. The combination of roots music and blues influence affords Mike the perfect setting to apply his tasteful playing.
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