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Stanleytones Band Biography

The Stanleytones Bluegrass Band was formed in 1999, when the original members met while attending local jam sessions in the Boulder area. The band was named after the Stanley Brothers, Ralph and Carter, who played throughout the 50’s until Carter’s death in 1964. Having recently finished recording a new album, The Stanleytones’ passion for traditional bluegrass is evident in the their sound, and has made them into what they are today---a classic bluegrass band reminiscent of those early bands of the 50’s and 60’s, with an added repertoire of original compositions comprised of melodic instrumentals and skillful vocal harmonies.

Individual Bios

Jim Bertolin has been playing bluegrass since the 1970's when he played with Windy Ridge Ramblers andn Prairie Union Bluegrass Band, touring the midwest. He plays a variety of styles, from classic Scruggs to melodic fiddle tunes, and old-time frailing. His musical influences for traditional banjo playing are Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, J.D. Crowe, but for his melodic influence he credits Bob Black and Jack Hicks. His favorite new banjo player is Robbie McCoury. His main dobro influence (did we mention that Jim also is their dobro player?) is Josh Graves.

Darrell Cox PhotoDarrell Cox was born in Fort Collins, Colo. He grew up a few hundred miles from there on a ranch in western Kansas where his family raised cattle and quarter horses which they raced all over Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico.  Darrell was raised on old country music and his family’s musical talent.  His mother played the mandolin and his uncle the guitar and banjo.  He became interested in playing the mandolin once out of high school.  As he moved around the country and even to Germany the mandolin opened many doors to friendships that remain strong. He played with several bands in Wisconsin Blue Eagle, The Lawrence Family, Blue Sky String Band and Pickin up Speed.  He also played with Brush Arbor south of Memphis Tenn. Darrell’s musical influences were John Moore & Bluegrass ETC, Blue Highway and Ricky Skaggs.  Through the years Darrell has developed his own hard driving style of playing those cherished fiddle tunes of Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley.  He currently plays a Collins MF 5.

Jamie Davis PhotoJamie Davis

Jamie Davis hails from State College, Pennsylvania. He is an exceptional flat picker and a top bluegrass rhythm player as driving  as Jimmy Martin. He sings both lead and tenor with the band. His main influence is Clarence White for guitar, with the Kentucky Colonels as one of his favorite bands. Other influences include the Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, the Johnson Mountain Boys, Dreadful Snakes, Emmy Lou Harris and Buck Owens, and James Burton to name a few.

Luke Eisenhauer photo'Luke Eisenhauer began his music career at age 14 playing electric bass for Pittsburgh, PA alternative rock and blues/funk bands. Luke studied jazz guitar and began writing songs at Oberlin College in Ohio where he managed to sneak into the Conservatory of Music's instrument storage room and play an upright bass for the first time. He got hooked on the standup bass, but it wasn't until he moved to Lyons, Colorado in 2003 that he began playing in earnest. Since moving west, Luke helped form the Redstone Bluegrass Band and plays with the Rock City Barnburners, a local americana/bluegrass group. Luke's main bluegrass influences are Blue Highway, the Del McCoury Band and Open Road. In the words of the man: "I'm excited to join forces with the Stanleytones; these guys pen some great original material and really get after it when they're on stage. Come say hello at our next gig!"