ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
STEEL & WOOD is a Bluegrass band based in Petoskey MI, offering an upbeat and heart-felt traditional bluegrass repertoire spanning the styles of Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, and others, along with original selections.
BAND MEMBERS BIO'S
John A. Neiswander - Lead guitar, vocals. From Petoskey. John's mother was a native of Kentucky. John started performing on the guitar at age 8 and brings his extensive experience, having played in Bluegrass bands since 1978, as well as years of participation in country, rock. blues and folk music.
Irene Kazmers - Fiddle, guitar,
vocals. From Berkeley CA
originally and a resident of
Petoskey. Started playing the
violin at age 6 and guitar since
high school. Interest in Bluegrass
and fiddling was fostered while
residing in Lexington KY.
Paul Bachleda- Banjo, vocals.
From the Detroit Metro area
originally, Paul spent 10 years in
North Carolina. Since returning
to Michigan 20 years ago, he
finely honed his banjo skills
playing with fellow musicians in the Tri-Cities area. Based in Bay City, he enjoys spending time at his family cottage on Higgins Lake.
Dave Eggebrecht - Mandolin, fiddle. Originally from Saginaw, Dave is a seasoned and gifted mandolin player and fiddler with decades of experience in Bluegrass, folk and country genres. He resides in Eastport
John Belfy - Upright bass.
From Wolverine, John brings his vast experience and musical sensibility to Steel & Wood, having provided bass for numerous bands of various genres through the years
Kathy Tuinhoff - Upright bass.
A native of Greenville MI now living in Petoskey, Kathy started playing drums at age 10 and went on to become a classically trained percussionist. She is self-taught on bass, which she learned in order to participate in Bluegrass, which she has over many years in various bands
We are grateful for the talented musicians who have provided support for Steel & Wood, including:
Sandy Rhea - Upright bass and vocals Dale Rhea - Guitar and vocals
John Timko Guitar and vocals
Michael Markley - Upright Bass
http://bluegrasstoday.com/songs-of-steel-and-wood-steel-wood/
CONTACT US (231)-330-8288
Email: steelandwood1@gmail.com
STEEL & WOOD enjoyed a great 2023 Bluegrass season including return performances at Dunesville Music Festival, Manton Bluegrass Festival, Black Barn Farm Harvest Festival, Lavender Hill Farm "Local Ground", Music by the Bay in Saint Ignace, Music at Macknaw in Mackinaw City, Stroll the Streets in Boyne City, Street Musique and Harbor Springs and other venues (please refer to our EVENT page)
In 2022 we had the opportunity to present 22 performances in a variety of settings, as listed on our EVENT page
We performed outdoors amid the pandemic during Summers of 2021 and 2020 at venues such as Gabriel Farms and Winery, Farmfest in Johannesburg, Pond Hill Farm, Harbor Springs Street Musique, Stroll the Streets in Boyne City, Mackinaw Trails Winery, and Uncle Frank's Apple Town.
In 2019 we had the opportunity to play at venues including Blissfest Music Festival, Junegrass in Lowell (WMBMA), Farmfest, Dunesville in Lake Ann, Charlotte Ross - Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) Summer Music series in Petoskey, East Jordan Music in the Park, Stroll the Streets in Boyne City, Music In Mackinaw in Mackinaw City, Street Musique in Harbor Springs, the Buckley Old Engine Show, Resort Pike Cidery and Winery, Red Sky Stage in Bay Harbor, Rotary Club of Gaylord Hoedown at Otsego County Fairgrounds, and Kentuckians of Michigan in Romulus.
We have previously performed at venues such as Bidwell Plaza CTAC Summer music series in Petoskey, Lakeview Music in the Park, Cafe Sante in Boyne City, the "Water Is Life Festival" in Mackinaw City, the Old Boyne City Park Gazebo Summer music series, Creek Haven in Mason, MI, Northern Michigan Antique Flywheelers show, Cross Village General Store Customer Appreciation Day, and "Have a Heart" benefit for Brother Dan's Pantry at Emmet County Fairgrounds, and various private events..
Our CD, "Along the Track" was released in March 2018, comprised of 16 first take tracks recorded at Runyan Media in Bellaire MI.
"...So credit Steel & Wood with conveying these songs with the authenticity and awareness that make for essential elements in this rootsy regimen. "Along the Track" is a textbook lesson in both credence and conviction." - Lee Zimmerman, Bluegrass Today
Our most recent CD project, "Songs of Steel and Wood", consists of 2 discs with 22 tracks, including 5 original songs, that were corded by Runyan Media on October 12, 2022. This album dropped on streaming services in May 2023
Links to tracks: steelandwood.HearNow.com
Please email us at steelandwood1@gmail.com if you'd like to purchase physical CD's -
"Songs of Steel and Wood" and/or "Along the Track" - Thank you!