| Introduction
to the Band
Every once in a while, a group of
musicians are drawn together by their common artistic vision and a strong need to perform
it. The Chicago Bluegrass Band is such a group, and the result is a highly charged
ensemble that produces an absolutely irresistible sound that leaves listeners humming and
tapping hours after the performance is over. Each member of the Chicago Bluegrass Band has
been a vital part of the acoustic music scene for many years and brings with him a wealth
of experience, assuring a great performance every time. Stellar picking and powerful vocal
arrangements are a regular feature of the band's stage shows. Audiences of all ages can
also expect a few laughs brought to you courtesy of the groups highly infectious sense of
humor.
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Musician Profiles
Keith Baumann (Banjo, Resophonic Guitar)
is a uniquely gifted musician who has gained wide recognition for his powerful
multi-instrumental abilities by consistently amazing listeners with his impeccable tone,
taste, and timing. Born and raised in New York, Keith was inspired at an early age bythe
powerful recordings of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. He later studied banjo with the
world-renowned Tony Trischka. After cutting his teeth on traditional bluegrass
instruments, Keith has gone on to develop a solid and distinctive musical style all his
own, encompassing many styles including swing, jazz, country and bluegrass. After
relocating to Northern California in the 1980's, he had the opportunity to study mandolin
with western swing legend Tiny Moore and master instrumentalist Mike Marshall. Keith also
studied and performed with steel guitar giants Vance Terry and Bobby Black. With over
twenty years of professional performing experience, Keith has played with numerous
well-known artists including Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis, Maria Muldaur, Alison Brown, Tony
Furtado, Slavek Hanslik, Bob Wills Former Texas Playboys, and the highly acclaimed Special
Consensus band. He now resides in Elmhurst, IL and in addition to performing with the
Chicago Bluegrass Band, Keith can be seen working with several of Chicago's finest acts
including Alan Gresik's Swing Shift Orchestra, The Susan Smentek Band, Barb Silverman and
Swing Gitan.
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Chip Covington (Bass) began his musical career in 1965 with a Sears Silvertone banjo and has
gone on to master the upright bass and acoustic guitar. Bluegrass has always been his
passion, and The Chicago Bluegrass Band is the perfect vehicle for his talents. In the
70's, he joined Dix Bruce and the Shangai Rangers, played for Mr. Bill Monroe, and shared
stages with the New Riders of the Purple Sage. In the 1980's, he co-founded the annual
Ruotsinpyhtaa Bluegrass Festival in Finland which featured both European and American
bluegrass groups, including Hot Rize, Dudley Connell, Tony Trishka, Rhonda Vincent,
Special Concensus, and the James King Band. In addition, he has produced and promoted
domestic and international concerts with such blues & rock luminaries as Albert King,
Buddy Guy & Jr. Wells, Otis Rush, John Lee Hooker, Professor Longhair, Koko Taylor,
Magic Slim, Albert Collins, Otis Clay, Little Milton, Carl Perkins, Sleepy LaBeef, Lowell
Fulson, Willie Dixon, Luther Allison, Burning Spear, and Gatemouth Brown. Chip has also
performed in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, England, and as a special
guest of the former Soviet Union. He has received sponsorships and grants from Chicago
Artists Abroad, American
Airlines, Finnair, and numerous companies abroad. He is a 'fantabulous' performer,
promoter, picker, grinner, and a proud member of the Chicago Bluegrass Band.
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Pete Nye (Guitar) is a veteran
performer with over twenty years on the Midwest music scene. He delivers a powerful vocal
performance complimented by his sizzling flat-picked leads and rock-solid rhythm work.
Peter began cultivating his musical skills at the age of 13 playing the local Honky Tonks
around Chicago. During the summers, he hit the road, performing at Music Festivals and
Colleges throughout the country. The 1980's brought Peter to Tulsa, OK were he worked the
stages in hard-core country bands and performed regularly at the legendary Cains Ballroom
(The original home of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys). Peter has shared stages with
Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, Emmy Lou Harris, Bill Monroe, Ray Price, Doc
Watson, Norman Blake, Jethro Burns, Dan Crary, David Grisman and Tony Rice, In the studios
he has hosted live bluegrass radio shows in Chicago and Oklahoma and performed for TV
documentary soundtracks. Whether he is belting out a bluegrass classic or drawing the
audience to the edge of their seats with one of his haunting original songs, Peter's
performances come straight from the heart. Along with his superb musicianship, Peter's
comedic timing and dry wit are a highlight of every Chicago Bluegrass Band show.
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Red Ratliff (Mandolin) was born and
raised in Pikeville, Kentucky where he made his musical debut at age 13 on the "Big
Sandy Hayride" radio program. By age 15 he was playing mandolin professionally in
Virginia with the Lonesome Pine Boys on WCYB's "Farm and Fun Time", one of the
premiere bluegrass radio programs of the 1950's. During that time, Red and the Lonesome
Pine Boys shared the stage with many legendary bluegrass greats including the Stanely
Brothers, Jim and Jesse, and Carl Story. Red later toured with Hobo Jack and performed
with top fiddler Kenny Baker. He has recorded on several major bluegrass record labels
such as Starday, Rich-r-Tone and Adco. One of the Rich-r-Tone sessions was later reissued
by Rounder Records as part of a historic bluegrass collection. In the 1980's Red performed
with the Florida-based Breakwater Bluegrass Band and also worked withChicago's Prairie
Union Band. In 1986 he won first place in the Florida State Mandolin Competion.
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Performance
Schedules
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