ROAD SCHOLARS

Road Scholars is an ever-developing bluegrass band devoted to "practice-at-all-costs". Despite occational long-distance traveling during sometimes adverse weather conditions and numerous individual personal commitments involving a combined total of more than ten (10) children, we meet faithfully every Monday evening to relax and enjoy picking and singing bluegrass tunes. We value layered harmonies and fair instrumental turns, and work hard at producing what we believe to be some enjoyable sounds. It is our sincere hope that along with the music that we perform, the fun and friendship that we have come to share together, is reflected on stage.

BAND MEMBER BIOS
Rick Rossi (banjo) formed Road Scholars several years ago, and even though his musical interests are founded in rock-and-roll guitar, in 1992 he began playing bluegrass on the banjo that he had acquired more than ten years earlier. Part of his musical career includes a gig in New York City with the band Three O'Clock Train, and he always helps keep the rest of the band members focused with his attention to detail and his constant innovative improvement on the banjo.

Garth Priest (guitar) has been playing guitar since 1962, and was a member of several very popular bluegrass bands in and around Edmonton, Alberta during the middle and late 1970's. Over the years, he has had occasion to appear with Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Valdi, and John Hyatt. Along with his sometimes-offbeat sense of humour, his experience with most styles of music and superb instrumental skills only begin to list his numerous contributions to the band.

Bill Welburn (mandolin), or Homey, as he is affectionately called, has played some guitar over the years, and the trombone with a traveling band in the 1960's. He enjoys rock-and-roll, country, and Dixieland music, but prefers bluegrass. Over the years he has shared the stage with Ginette Reno, Michel Louvain, and Robert de Montigny at the Paul Sauve Arena in Montreal. His experience and guidance go hand-in-hand with his taskmaster approach to weekly practices, and his increasingly tasteful use of the mandolin during instrumental breaks and backing up vocals is a significant part of the ever-improving sound of the band.

Cheryl Maude-Milot (guitar and mandolin) has been singing and playing guitar for various community and church functions since her teens. She enjoyed being part of a trio while her children were growing up, and has performed at many children's shows. Having sung alto in her church choir, she especially loves the challenges of multiple-part harmonies. It is the richness of the solo and harmony vocals in bluegrass that significantly hold her attraction, and her clear, unpretentious voice lends itself exceedingly well to them.

Perry Benedik (bass) has been playing music professionally since 1968. He played bass on the road with a traveling rock-and-roll band for about 2 years in the early 1970's, as well as almost 20 years with a very busy wedding band in Montreal. He plays bass for almost every style of music, including blues and Dixieland. Although a relative newcomer to bluegrass, he has been a welcome addition to the band, contributing baritone vocal harmony on some songs, as well as many of his own ideas for arrangements and new material.

This CD was digitally recorded by John Cameron and Maurice Singfield. It is a Singfield-Cameron Production. We hope you enjoy these bluegrass tunes which were arranged and performed by Road Scholars for your listening pleasure, here is the song list: 1) Down Yonder (L.Wolfe Gilbert) - 2) Greenville Trestle High (J.Jett) 3) Mama's Rocking Chair (Marie Summers, Ray Legere) 4) Think Of What You've Done (Carter Stanley) - 5) Endless Stream Of Tears (Dolly Parton) 6) Dreams And Pennies (Garth Priest) 7) Dear Someone (Gillian Welch, David Rawlings) 8) The Ice Song (Bill Welburn, Richard Rice) 9) Rabbit In The Log (Traditional) 10) Abilene (J.D.Loudermilk, L.Brown, Bob Gibson) - 11) Rocky Top (Bryant, Bryant) 12) Home, Come On Home (Jan Garrett) -

Upcoming Concert Schedule

Tuesday, April 25, 2006	Opening act for Carolina Road (Townships Bluegrass winter concert series 7:30 PM)
Saturday, June 10, 2006	Sand Road Sugar Camp Bluegrass Festival (time not yet finalized)
Monday, June 26, 2006	City of Dorval's summer outdoor concert series - Pine Beach bandstand on Lakeshore Drive, Dorval (7:30 PM)
Saturday, July 22, 2006	Lac Blanc Bluegrass Festival, Mulgrave and Derry, Que. (time not yet finalized)

Links and Friends
- The Townships Bluegrass & Old-Tyme Music Society : http://www.sunnymead.org/tbotms

Credits-Album
Production - CD artwork : Maurice Singfield
Sound engineering - Production : John Cameron
Photographer : Font cover photograhy - Bill and Valerie Welburn
Photographer : All other photography - Dave Anderson
This CD is distributed by SVR.