/CHēt ɡras/ noun: cheatgrass
1. a tough wild, invasive, noxious grass of open land, sometimes growing as a weed among cereal crops and in pasture.
2. An acoustic oldtimey, bluegrassy Band that plays at Senior Centers in the Boise ID area and in Mark's living room....
Joe Gobel - Guitar
A smalltown boy from the hills of PA, Joe was introduced to bluegrass music at Stompin’76, the largest bluegrass festival in history. He was inspired to try out the guitar. Being a lefty, he borrowed his sister’s righthanded guitar enough to learn a few chords and the “bad habit” of playing upside down and backwards. Then, life and family happened. After a several decade hiatus, he picked up the guitar again in his 50s with an interest toward songwriting and learning flatpicking technique. He’s played in a few bands including Friday Night Jam, Sugarbeats, and currently Cheatgrass.
Kathy Allyn - Clawhammer Banjo
Kathy grew up in rural southern Ohio in a family where "hillbilly" music was strictly forbidden. She eventually fled to the mountains of Idaho where, in her one and only act of rebellion, she took up the banjo. She is known to run with a pack of feral musicians.
Petra Schwarthoff - Fiddle
Petra is a classically trained violinist who was lured to the dark side in 2018 when she fell into the company of other stringed instrument players jamming Bluegrass and Old Time music in Boise. When she is not needed by her family, she can be found playing her fiddle anywhere she can.
Mark Stolpe - Bass
Mark discovered Bluegrass at the Minnesota State Fair on a trip back home. He bought an upright bass in the summer of 2015 and started attending a Bluegrass instructional jam. By the time he retired the next year, music became his primary avocation. Mark likes the way he feels as well as hears the low notes on the bass, and is working with Bluegrass, Oldtime, and Jazz ensembles.
Scott Miller - Mandolin
A long time noodler and frequent Bluegrass jammer. Enjoying retirement.
Drawing by Paul Hart