Red Star Express
The Red Star Express has its roots firmly
entrenched in Eastern Wisconsin farming country.
Beginning in 1993, members of the earliest roots of the band began to take shape
as a few musicians began an informal weekly jam session in Gerry Jost's barn in
rural Newton. Today, with as many as eight members, the band has taken its
circle of music on the road performing for local historical events, picnics,
parties, barn dances, cultural fairs and stage concerts.
Musical arrangements feature harmony singing along with standard bluegrass
instruments----guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, upright bass, dobro and blues
harp.
Songs include bluegrass and old-time standards along with original songs written
and arranged by band members.
Annually the band hosts the Jumpin' Jambalaya Jamfest, a one-day, indoor
bluegrass festival and acoustic jam at Kiel, Wisconsin (Cedar Lake Resort).
First Saturday in April.
Contact information: Mike Mathes 920-894-2828; email:
mike@deltapublications.com
Discography:
CD: Fresh Out Of the Barn - January 2003 planned release date. Watch for
availability.
Band members
Gerry Jost: Mandolin, harmonica, fiddle
Eldon Klein: guitar, vocals
Chris Jost: lead guitar
Kate Pearce: Bass, vocals
Mike Mathes: Guitar, dobro, vocals, percussion
John Losiniecki: Fiddle, bass
Chuck Wernecke: Banjo
Mike Bittner: Songwriter, vocals
Website: http://www.redstarexpress.com