The Virginia Ramblers
The Virginia Ramblers are a traditional bluegrass band from Albemarle County, Virginia. Three of us (Charles Frazier, guitar and lead singer, Donnie Shifflett, bass, and Jeff Vogelgesang, mandolin) were members for many years of another traditional band, the Virginia Cutups.
About the musicians:
Charles Frazier (lead singer and guitar). Charles' early bluegrass idol was Jimmy Martin. Charles began with the band Skyline Express, and has toured on mandolin and tenor with the Country Gentlemen. Charles was a Virginia Cutup for 27 years.
Donnie Shifflett, upright bass and lead/baritone vocals, was a Virginia Cutup for 14 years. Donnie comes from Greene County, Virginia, outside the town of Dyke, where he raises Tennessee walkers.
Jeff Vogelgesang, mandolin and tenor, began Back in Ohio. Jeff was taught to chord a guitar by his mother, who had learned to play second guitar behind her grandfather, fiddler Ed Riley, along with other assorted family members who played and sang.
Jeff and his mother have combined to write several of the tunes that the band performs. Jeff currently lives in Heards, Virginia, an old apple orchard company town in the mountains 20 miles southwest of Charlottesville, near the Nelson County line. Jeff's bluegrass career began in 1985 in Columbus, Ohio in the house band at the Bluegrass Palace on Parsons Avenue. Jeff later joined the band Northwest Territory, along with Mike Gorrell, and legendary bass man Ed Ferris. Jeff was a member of the Virginia Cutup for 13 years, and also performs with Charlottesville songwriter Jan Smith (honeybirdmusic.com).
Zack Deming, a Michigan native, brings a driving Scruggs-style sound to the band. Zack played in the Santa Cruz, Ca area while building guitars at the Santa Cruz Guitar company, and came to Virginia three years ago to build Stelling banjos. In Virginia, Zack's fire and traditional leanings have led to stints with several bands, most notably King Wilkie.