Linda Thorburn

Banjo

Linda describes herself as a bluegrass veteran, as she has played for 43  years. She was attracted to the Scruggs style banjo at age 11.  In 1980 she bought a banjo and began her musical journey.  

She has played in several noteworthy  bluegrass bands, including:  

* Better Times (Port Alberni) 

* Island Blue Rose (Qualicum Beach) 

* Grassmates (Port Alberni)

* Raisin' Cain (Qualicum Beach)

* Crazy Hearts (Kelowna), and

* The Dilly RoseBuds.

*BackPorch Banjo  to present

She has an additional recording with Grassmates. 

Major influences include Earl Scruggs, J D Crowe, Ralph Stanley, Pete Wernick, Chris Stevens &  Jeff Scroggins.

Ramona Ruf

Rhythm Guitar & Vocals

Ramona grew up in a musical family and has played guitar & sang  for most of her life.  She was attracted to bluegrass music a few  years ago and has learned many new songs & tunes in a very short time.  Ramona is the driving force behind the band with her loud guitar & rhythmic chops, and is also the main lead singer.  Mo makes her home in Qualicum Beach, her major influences are Brian Sutton & Tony Rice.

Claire Fadul

Fiddle, Claw Hammer Banjo & Harmonies

Growing up in Denver, CO, Claire started playing classical violin at a very young age, but grew up but listening to her father Steve’s Bluegrass and Old Time albums not knowing what this music was all about. After he failed to convince her to take banjo lessons (it was too dorky), years later in her 20’s Claire would come into Fiddle and clawhammer style Banjo on her own after a stint living in Asheville, North Carolina attending the Old Time Jams there. She was hooked.

Claire has been obsessed with playing Old Time and Bluegrass fiddle ever since and was involved in the Pacific Bluegrass and Old Time Society in Vancouver for years, enjoying jams at the Anza Club and various gatherings along the West Coast. After a recent move to Port Alberni, Claire enjoys playing with Back Porch Banjo, The Black Rabbit Rounders of Port Alberni, and Western Family Stringband out of Cumberland, BC, and performing at the Filberg Festival, Woodstove Music and Arts Festival and the Cowichan Bluegrass Festival. She hopes her playing will inspire others to delve into the fantastic world of Bluegrass and Old Time music.

 Dave Haggblad

 Upright Bass, Lead & Harmonies

Dave came to Bluegrass Music later in his life, and to the upright bass even later than that. This has definitely not kept him from enjoying the bluegrass community and all it has to offer. He loves to participate in the various jams that pop up around town and enjoys holding down the 'bottom end’ of things in the band while singing lead and harmony parts. 

His  influences include Chris Stapleton, both from his SteelDrivers days and today’s solo efforts, and  Alison Kraus w/Union Station, listening for long time member Barry Bales on the standup bass. And since he was late in his life figuring out bluegrass was the way to go he often discovers ‘classics’ that are new to him....so basically anything old is new to him!  

Miriam "Mimi"  Shell

Fiddle & Harmonies

Mimi loves the drive & energy of bluegrass music with its multiple roles for the fiddle player from rhythm to chords to melody.  Having played violin since she was twelve, bluegrass offers a new musical direction to explore.

She also enjoys playing old time, Celtic, swing & blues. Singing in harmony with others is another special way to have fun. Mimi likes the fact that music can be shared across cultures and soothes the soul.