Frank Pawlik: Frank plays guitar in the band. He was born in Charlestown MA and remained in that area until he moved to New Hampshire soon after his daughter was born in 1985. Frank began playing bluegrass music in his late forties and in 2004 he and Dave Brown of Manchester teamed up to organize the monthly bluegrass jam at T.R. Brennan's Restaurant in Manchester. Frank also plays guitar for regional fiddler, Joanne Osgood, who competes in the events hosted by the Northeast Fiddlers Association. Frank provides a smooth steady rhythm on the guitar, plays lead breaks and lends a hand on vocals as well. Frank is also a producer for Manchester Community Television and is working on a documentary about Bluegrass music in New hampshire.
Warren Mannell: It was after
swapping coffeehouse sets with Frank Wakefield that Warren Mannell purchased his
first mandolin and, luckily for us, became interested in bluegrass music.
Warren was born in New Jersey "before tail fins appeared on
cars" and moved to New Hampshire in 1992.
He brings a host of music experience to the group including
classical guitar study and "too many bands and gigs to remember." While playing bass for The Crests during the eighties, Warren
not only performed throughout the New York, New Jersey and New England areas but
also in Europe and the Caribbean.
Patrick Payette: Born and raised in Burlington, Vermont, Pat's first exposure to bluegrass music was in 1978 at a nightclub called "The Opry" where he saw a Vermont favorite, Pine Island. The next day he went to a music store and bought a $75 long neck banjo and a book. Pat's first banjo teacher, Chris Clark from Colchester, Vermont ended up being his best friend and Best Man at his wedding in 1987. Pat was heavily influenced by Vermont bluegrass artists especially Gordon Stone and Dan Lindner. Pat lives in Dunbarton, New Hampshire with his wife Bonnie and two daughters.
Garry Gerossie, the
band's founder plays bass and banjo for the band. Garry was introduced to
bluegrass music fourteen years ago when he happened upon the Pemi Bluegrass Festival.
After buying a bluegrass album at that festival, Garry fell in
love with the music and began to make bluegrass festivals a part of his life.
Garry bought his first banjo in 1999 and it wasn't long until he added doghouse
bass to his repertoire. Garry
played bass for the regional band, Bow Junction, when he decided he wanted
to focus on bluegrass music and formed The Bean Hill Bluegrass Band with some of
his picking buddies. Garry proudly plays a Caouette Model K Banjo, hand crafted
in Petersham Mass by Bernie Caouette. He contributes
lead and harmony vocals to the mix and is the
gig getter in chief!!
Michael
Forney is a transplant to