HGMN Welcomes the Rumpke Mountain Boys

Foot-stompin' whiskey-spillin' old-timey psychedelic folk music.

For over ten years, Ohio's #1 bluegrass band, the Rumpke Mountain Boys, have been amassing devoted fans with their signature blend of jamgrass, aptly named "Trashgrass." Phenomenal songwriting framed by fiery-fast mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar and upright bass, creates a sound that has been described as foot-stompin' whiskey-spillin' old-timey psychedelic folk music!

Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, the Rumpke Mountain Boys have made a name for themselves with their high-energy improvisational shows that showcase some of the fastest picking in the game. Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon sums it up well, stating, "The Rumpke Mountain Boys - Hot licks, cool tunes. A party waiting to happen." 2012 was a banner year for this talented quartet, highlighted by the release of their album “Trashgrass,” and an epic performance at the All Good Music Festival in a 10:30am time slot. Normally, this would be prime sleeping time for most festival go-ers, but the Rumpke boys brought the throngs out early. 2012 also marked the return of their own Festival, Snugglefest. They appeared at Appalachian Uprising, Dark Star Jubilee and Terrapin Hill Music Festival, just to name a few. Named Cincinnati's best bluegrass band for seven years running, they have shared the stage with iconic artists such as Leftover Salmon, Tim O’Brien, Ralph Stanley, Keller Williams, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Del McCoury.

Despite all these accolades, the Rumpke Mountain Boys are known as one of the most fan-friendly groups in the music world today. This is due to their "campfire tours," where they migrate from campsite to campsite, many times picking until dawn with a hoard of faithful followers in tow. Their drive, dedication, and desire to play good music together shines through in their performances. Many music fans who dismiss bluegrass as "country" or "old people" music have walked away from their set with a newfound respect for this style. The Rumpke Mountain Boys are not your Grandfather's bluegrass band. With influences ranging from Jimmy Cliff, The Grateful Dead and Tom Waits to the more traditional Osborne Brothers and Stanley Brothers, the Rumpke Mountain Boys take old time music to a new level with an original approach, leaving no genre of music untouched.

Each member is a talented songwriter - Ben Gourley on mandolin, Adam Copeland on acoustic guitar, and Jason "Wolfie" Wolf on banjo are joined by Memphis-bred upright bass player J.D. Westmoreland to form a team that has taken the region by storm. The boys can be found honing their chops at a weekly Tuesday residency at Stanley’s Pub in Cincinnati. Their marathon live shows are now legendary, making them one of the most sought after festival acts in the east. 2013 is destined to be a pivotal year for the Rumpke Mountain Boys, kicking off the year with a New Year’s show in Cleveland, OH and a trip to the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis to begin working on the next album.

PURCHASE ALBUM HERE

Recorded live at a private party at StoneBarry Hill, then carefully mixed at Soap Floats recording studio in Cincinnati (a la "Live Dead"), Trashgrass is the Rumpke Mountain Boy’s first release since the addition of Memphis-bred bassist JD Westmoreland. Consisting of accomplished mandolin player Ben Gourley, Adam Copeland on acoustic guitar, Jason "Wolfie" Wolf on banjo, and Westmoreland on upright bass, Rumpke’s sound is refreshingly unique, drawing on influences such as the Grateful Dead, Ralph Stanley, Tom Waits, and Jimmy Cliff. The Rumpke Mountain Boys are known for their fun-filled live shows, the new release captures the Rumpke magic well, oozing with fiery banjo picking, amazing vocal harmonies, and impressive songwriting done by all four members. Trashgrass is organic, balanced, and most of all, FUN and their energy shines through on this release. According to Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, The Rumpke Mountain Boys are "high energy, hot licks, cool tunes – A party waiting to happen."

Upcoming Tour Dates

Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - Stanley's Pub - Cincinnati, OH
Friday, April 19, 2013 - Terrapin Hill Farm - Harrodsburg, KY
Saturday, April 20, 2013 - Stanley's Pub - Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - Stanley's Pub - Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - Stanley's Pub - Cincinnati, OH
Friday, May 3, 2013 - w/ Ekoostik Hookah @ CH Changes - New Castle, PA
Saturday, May 4, 2013 - Spring Pickin' Bluegrass Festival @ Blain Picnic Grounds - Blain, PA
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Stanley's Pub - Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - Stanley's Pub - Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - w/ David Gans - Stanley's Pub - Cincinnati, OH
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - w/ David Gans - The Mousetrap - Indianapolis, IN
Thursday, May 23, 2013 - w/ David Gans - Cosmic Charlie's - Lexington, KY
Friday, May 24, 2013 - w/ David Gans - Diamond Pub Concert Hall - Louisville, KY
Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 2nd Annual Dark Star Jubilee Music Festival & Campout - Legend Valley- Thornville, OH