Tom Feller and Chris Hill have announced the members of their touring band, Feller & Hill and the Bluegrass Buckaroos. The band name comes from the special fondness they have for the music of Buck Owens, a style that is clearly evident in the Bluegrass Buckaroos’ sound.
They have released a debut, self-titled album on Blue Circle Records, recorded over the past few years with a number of top studio players. Now that the new duo is touring, supporting musicians are required.
Hill will be on banjo, and Feller on mandolin, with Mark Poe on guitar, and Glen ‘Cookie’ Inman on bass. Both had been performing of late with the All American Bluegrass Band, and agreed to join forces after multiple discussions with Chris while he was filling in with them.
Fiddler Steve Day will also join them on selected dates as his schedule with Ronnie Reno allows.
Tom says that they are delighted with their new members, and that the search has been a tough one.
“Finding the right band members for our road show has proven to be quite a challenge. Most bluegrass musicians are not willing to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, so to speak. Most seem to want a list of secure dates and a dollar amount they can expect. In this day and age, those are tough questions in any business, much less a brand-new bluegrass band—starting from scratch.
We have talked to and auditioned dozens of great pickers and singers over the past 3 years, while recording our project. Many do not wish to put the necessary time in rehearsing. We firmly believe in working until it sounds right.
Having such a broad library of music, it’s been no easy task finding musicians who appreciate the style we’ll be performing.”
At the same time as they announce their band lineup, Feller & Hill are opening their own Buckaroo Studios, where they will begin work shortly on three new recordings.
“That may sound like a lot, but we have so many ideas and requests between the two of us that it will be just as easy to start on all 3 at the same time.”
You can follow the Bluegrass Buckaroos online. We’ll have a review of their album in short order.
