Bill Davies’ Mountain Fire Band brings a fresh, raw edge to traditional bluegrass, original tunes and honky tonk harmonies putting a smile on the face of all who hear them play. Mountain Fire Band’s message is a simple one: Get the dogs to bark and howl---OHWOOOO!
Bill Davies - guitar and vocals
A 4th generation native of California, Bill Davies has always been a student of that “high lonesome sound”. Drawn to classic country and bluegrass genres of the early 1940’s and 50’s, Bill started playing guitar, singing and writing his own songs and poems at an early age. Bill’s rich life experiences have inspired his song writing and poetry, crafted in authentic roots, old timey and cowboy stylings. As a youth Bill travelled to Montana, guitar in hand, to work his uncle’s wheat and cattle ranch during the summer harvests. Click to Read More.....
Bob Blanchard - mandolin and vocals
Bob Blanshard started playing piano at the age of 6 years old. He was well known in the California bluegrass community for his mandolin work. Although Bob's first love was bluegrass mandolin, he was also a sought- after classical bassist who played in three Bay Area orchestras. Bill and Bob started playing as a duo in 1990 when they first met in Weiser, Idaho.
Alec Oyung - guitar, banjo, dobro
Oakland native Alec Oyung was exposed to bluegrass and americana music early on, listening to Norman Blake and Flatt and Scruggs on the family turntable. He began taking Bluegrass banjo lesson at 11 years old. Alec later picked up the guitar while attending UCSanta Cruz. He might also be seen occasionally pickin’ on a mandolin or dobro. When not playing music, Alec works as a video producer and editor, and has combined his love of music and video, producing videos for Artistworks online music lessons, Joe Craven and Strawberry Music Festival.
Matt Crimp - fiddle
Born and raised in Anchorage Alaska, Matt's first exposure to the fiddle was through Anchorage's thriving folk music scene. Playing through the long hours of winter nights, Matt developed a love for Bluegrass, Jazz and Dawg music. He has played locally in California with American Nomad and the Spare Strings. Between his seasonal business in the Alaska Salmon fisheries and his work as an accomplished fiddle player, Matt finds time to sit in with the Mountain Fire Band when he is down in the lower 48. http://www.mattcrimpmusic.com/
Tom Davies - bass and vocals
Solidly grounding the Mountain Fire experience on bass is Bill's son Tom Davies. Tom grew up on Donner Summit and was influenced by his rural surroundings, a musical family and his affiliation with the California Bluegrass Association. Tom has toured the western United States, playing guitar with the award winning Donner Mountain Bluegrass Band. The Band has opened for the great blues musician Buddy Guy, Los Lobos and other grammy nominated luminaries. Tom has played many festivals including Warren Hellman's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco.
Special Guest Artist Jeremy Cohen
Jeremy Cohen - fiddle
Long time friend and frequent guest of the band, Jeremy's electrifying violin performances have earned him nationwide accolades. Among his many credits, Jeremy appeared on Carlos Santana’s Grammy-winning CD “Supernatural” and has toured and recorded with the 2006 Grammy winners, the Turtle Island String Quartet. Visit Jeremy's website at www.jeremycohen.com
