SHARON MITCHELL (hammered dulcimer, lead and harmony vocals)- Sharon is the Leader/Manager of the band and has played hammered dulcimer since 1989. In addition to Red Desert Ramblers, she also plays with the Public Domain String Band and The American Irish Duo. Past bands include "Last Night’s Fun" (Irish), "Around the Bend" and "Lonesome Ridge" (bluegrass). Sharon runs the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association (IAMA) Local Concert Series. She is the "roots and branches" of the band adding both an old time flavor, and a unique progressive twist to the band.
STEVE HEWSON- (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin). Best known as the host of the Rockport Dam Jam, and former manager of Rockport State Park, he hails from Huntington Beach CA proving that country twang can come from the land of sand and surf. After going electric with the country band "Desert Skies", Steve returns to his first love of acoustic music with the Red Desert Ramblers. He also plays with Detour Utah.
RICK MARTINEZ- (5-string banjo)- Rick’s style is 30 years steeped in traditional and progressive bluegrass music. His diverse influences range from Earl Scruggs to Tony Trishka. . His clean, precise and dynamic playing reinforces the authentic sound of the band. Rick has played with the "Rick Martinez Band," " Holdin’ Out," and the "Prairie Dogs". Rick has been known to cross styles, and is not opposed to musical risks. We are proud to call Rick one of our own.
DAVE BATES- (upright bass). Dave has been a mainstay in the SLC/Summit county communities for many years. He has been a pilot and a bus driver. When he is not flying he is a farmer in Wanship. His attention is also focused on mentoring teenagers and youth so they become proficient musicians. (Dave is camera shy so we are waiting to grab a picture of him when he's not looking!)
JOE FARMER- (lead/harmony vocals, mandolin, guitar, bass). Joe became a convert to bluegrass back in ‘73 when he heard Norman Blake, Doc Watson, and Dan Crary at the "Horsepens 40" bluegrass festival in Alabama. He’s been flatpicking and playing bluegrass ever since. Joe is a Utah legend, having played with "Done Gone", "Around the Bend" "Three on a String" and the "Mike Iverson Band". Now that the price of gas has gone back up, he's going broke driving 90 miles one way to practice! Joe is also playing with a new Folk Trio in Logan, Ut.
STEVE HEWSON- (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin). Best known as the host of the Rockport Dam Jam, and former manager of Rockport State Park, he hails from Huntington Beach CA proving that country twang can come from the land of sand and surf. After going electric with the country band "Desert Skies", Steve returns to his first love of acoustic music with the Red Desert Ramblers. He also plays with Detour Utah.
RICK MARTINEZ- (5-string banjo)- Rick’s style is 30 years steeped in traditional and progressive bluegrass music. His diverse influences range from Earl Scruggs to Tony Trishka. . His clean, precise and dynamic playing reinforces the authentic sound of the band. Rick has played with the "Rick Martinez Band," " Holdin’ Out," and the "Prairie Dogs". Rick has been known to cross styles, and is not opposed to musical risks. We are proud to call Rick one of our own.
DAVE BATES- (upright bass). Dave has been a mainstay in the SLC/Summit county communities for many years. He has been a pilot and a bus driver. When he is not flying he is a farmer in Wanship. His attention is also focused on mentoring teenagers and youth so they become proficient musicians. (Dave is camera shy so we are waiting to grab a picture of him when he's not looking!)
JOE FARMER- (lead/harmony vocals, mandolin, guitar, bass). Joe became a convert to bluegrass back in ‘73 when he heard Norman Blake, Doc Watson, and Dan Crary at the "Horsepens 40" bluegrass festival in Alabama. He’s been flatpicking and playing bluegrass ever since. Joe is a Utah legend, having played with "Done Gone", "Around the Bend" "Three on a String" and the "Mike Iverson Band". Now that the price of gas has gone back up, he's going broke driving 90 miles one way to practice! Joe is also playing with a new Folk Trio in Logan, Ut.
