With hot picking and high-lonesome harmonies; barn-burning dance tunes and the "odd" cover, the Stoney Mountain Ramblers inevitably get the crowd hootin' and hollerin' from the start!  The Ramblers are influenced by the traditions of Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, the Osbornes and the Stanleys, plus amazing bands like Hot Rize, The Grateful Dead, Strength In Numbers, David Grisman, Yonder and StrungOver! We typically steal these great artists' songs and extend them into original arrangements and "grassified" renditions of non-bluegrass classics.

The group formed in 2001, in the Stoney Mountain district of Menlo Park. Mainstays of the peninsula pre-school circuit, the band has also performed at a variety of historic Bay Area bluegrass venues, including the Pioneer Saloon, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, the Brookdale Lodge, and the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival in Hollister, CA.

The Stoney Mountain Ramblers love to play just about anywhere, anytime, and are available for weddings, parties, festivals and corporate events. 

The Stoney Mountain Ramblers are:

Robert Zeien (guitar, vocals) started in Montana and took a long detour through Texas on his way to the Bay Area.  Along the way, he traded his electric guitar and rock 'n' roll ways for the simplicity of a D-28 and some flatpickin' fun. When not strapped to his Martin he wages cyberwar against hackers and waits dutifully on his wife, two kids and dog.

Steve Joynes (fiddle, vocals) hails from a backwoods holler in Virginia.  He's played fiddle in several Bay Area bluegrass bands including Down Home, Luck of the Draw, Smokin' Hams, and Wires And Wood. Steve picks more than anybody we know and is always looking for a new jam.
 

Scott Dailey (banjo, vocals) is also the band's booking agent, webmaster, and sound engineer.  His studio doubles as the band's worldwide headquarters. Recently freed from the Evil Grasp of Corporate America, Scott does management consulting and recording projects in his studio.

 

John "Woodie" Woodell (mandolin, vocals)  is the largest and most powerful member of the band. Originally a guitarist/bassist/DJ, Woodie took up mandolin in April and has been blowing audiences away ever since. He's currently learning fiddle - watch out!  Woodie doesn't eat anything with feet, and he has a 1200W PA for sale. 

Bill Hamburgen (bass, vocals) played string bass in symphony orchestras throughout his school years in Minnesota.  After suffering a head injury, he joined La Honda's legendary acid-bluegrass garage band, the Buffalo Chips. A whiff of real bluegrass became a 7-year stint with the Grass Menagerie. Bill is "considered something of an expert by leading authorities."

Gary Anwyl (dobro) is a long time electric and slide guitarist who took up dobro two years ago.  The Stoney Mountain Ramblers is Gary's first bluegrass project. In anticipation of a lucrative bluegrass career Gary has already quit his day job.