It started in 2005. Hardy and Bill spun of the legendary Paint Creek Boys from Lake Orion (MI). Inviting Rick we formed a small jamming group, playing forgotten or rarely played fiddle tunes from the great Fiddlers like Kenny Baker, Johnny Gimble, Bobby Hicks, Aubrey Haynie and stuff from Bill Monroe.
When Hardy met Mike Francis at Paro school he was impressed by his skillfull fiddle playing. Instantanously the idea came up doing some good old twin-fiddling as we know it from the beginning of Bill Monroe.
With the ongoing visits of Bobby Hicks' fiddle seminars in NC Mike and Hardy keep perfecting harmony building and revival of the "Roots of Bluegrass".
Bill Schulert's in-depth knowledge and excellent playing of Monroe-Style Mandolin adds the perfect flavor to our music.
Rick's livelong experience of rhythm guitar playing and impeccable sense for timing combined with Joan's rocksolid, precise and powerful bass playing gives ROANOKE a strong and hard driving rhythm group.
ROANOKE's repertoir includes Bluegrass, Old-Time Fiddle Tunes, Waltzes and Western Swing.
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The name of the band is called after the legendary tune ROANOKE from Bill Monroe which is also our theme-tune.
Hardy Kefes
Instruments: Fiddle
Other Instruments: Mandolin, Guitar, Bass, Harmonica
Mike Francis
Instrument: Fiddle, Vocals
Other Instruments: Guitar, Mandolin, Cello
Joan Tyree
Instruments: Bass, Vocals
Other Instruments: Guitar, Piano, Organ, Autoharp, Mountain Dulcimer
Rick Bates
Instruments: Guitar, Vocals
Other Instruments: Bass, Banjo, Fiddle
Bill Schulert
Instruments: Mandolin, Vocals
Other Instruments: Guitar, Tin Whistle
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