Mollybloom Bluegrass Band: Bio
Ron Relaford - Mandolin
From day one, even as a child, I was fascinated by anything that made sound (musical and otherwise – even banjos). My family is Irish and my early exposure to music was mostly Irish and American folk music. Being music lovers, my parents refused to let me play bagpipes so, at 13, I bought my first guitar in England (where we lived at the time) for 5 Pounds sterling – about $14. That guitar ended up as a flower pot in my sister’s room but it started a long life of world-wide instrument acquisition that continues to this day. I have instruments from over 20 foreign countries, including the USA. I spent 8 years in college studying anthropology, math, literature, philosophy and music theory-composition. I also took a class in abnormal psychology which helps me to deal with my band-mates. At present, I support my musical habits by working my fingers to the bone as a massage therapist. Oh yeah, I’m hearing impaired – 60’s rock & roll – and nearly blind. Lucky for me I play bluegrass.
Randy White - Banjo
Growing up in Huntington Beach, CA I started playing guitar at the age of 9. My early influences included just about anything that had cool guitar in it, which at the time (late 60's early 70's) was just about anything on the radio. I started playing bluegrass banjo at age 13 and quickly formed my first bluegrass band "White Lightning" with my sister Marilyn Lamberson
Through the years my "musical curiousity" has lead me to take up some different instruments and styles. I also play Mandolin, Dobro, Pedal Steel and Bass. After spending many years playing bluegrass banjo I decided to get serious about playing guitar again. It was at this time I was offered some work playing pedal steel guitar with up and coming new-country star Sara Evans (who was not yet famous but was in the process of getting signed). I was able to really cut my teeth on the steel with that band and have been grateful since.
Nowadays I spend most of my time in my home studio recording and producing my own music, as well as other local artists in the Portland, Oregon area.
Bob Rindy - Fiddle and vocals
Bob Rindy, on fiddle, has played violin in symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles, and in several folk and rock bands in Salem and Eugene over the past 20 years. Classically trained on the violin since childhood, Bob performs a range of fiddle styles, including bluegrass, Celtic, folk and blues.
Clark Blanchard - Bass and vocals
My Musical Life in 500 Words or Less
Age 10: Organized 2 buddies to help create 3 part harmony arrangement of “Froggy Went a Courtin”. A HUGE lunch recess success.
Age 13: 1st chair trumpet career cut short trying to crash my girlfriend’s slumber party. Carelessly placed rakes on dark lawns have handles that split lips. Defaulted to learning the tunes of the early 60’s on my grandfather’s baby grand, singing a-cappella Beatles and Beach Boys; entertaining on the ski bus. Bonus--girls do appreciate singers.
Age 17: Playing in rock bands with names like The Pacifics, Little John and the Merry Men, The Heavy Company. Opened for national touring bands; Three Dog Night, Deep Purple, Vanilla Fudge. Back stage eye opening experiences!!!
Age 20: Bought a Yamaha guitar and freelanced -- weddings, parties, festivals, street corners. Ah, life as a ski bum.
Age 23: Play the clubs in Portland, OR. The bass player in a band called Freefall. First time to play with a banjo player. Money was good, hours were ROTTEN.
Age 26: Tired of smokey rooms with too many drunks. Decided to grow up and get a real job. Back to school for a degree in music education. Appreciate jazz, asymmetric rhythms, John Cage and John Hartford. Great fun composing music.
Age 30: Begin career as public school music educator. What a joy, turning kids on to music! After hours, member of jazz and then blues band.
Age 44: In between bands and an invite to play bass and sing in a bluegrass band named Mollybloom. What fun! Eleven years later, still the most satisfying group of all.
David Dahl - Rhythm Guitar & vocals
No one in my high school class in Great Falls, Montana would have bet I would become a musician. There were few extra curricular activities available in that part of Montana and my choice of Saturday night being all right for fightin’ didn’t point to a career, or come to think of it, even survival. After watching the movie Deliverance, I had taught myself to play the banjo, but as most banjo players know, families usually send beginning players to their rooms and ask them to close the door. So, it wasn’t really public knowledge. I started college in Missoula with no particular direction in mind. During freshman registration, I couldn’t get all the classes I wanted and on a whim took a music theory class. I LOVED IT. The professor suggested piano lessons to help apply the information. It was like a floodgate had opened. I practiced six to eight hours a day, just for the fun of it. The music department wasn’t exactly welcoming when I applied to become a music major. I hadn’t taken band. I hadn’t taken choir. I had virtually no previous experience. With my piano teacher as my mentor, they agreed to take me on as a project. After completing the suggested classes, I tested into the program. My first job was a year of teaching choir in public high school. Not the best fit. I found my niche as a music therapist in forensic settings.
Mollybloom come into being because a co-worker’s husband played fiddle. The first configuration was a four person band, Jeff Shippy on fiddle, Ron Relaford on mandolin, myself on banjo and Jeff’s soon to be ex-wife on vocals. Quick changes brought Clark Blanchard to the group on bass and then eventually frustrations with nerves and muscles moved me to rhythm guitar and added a fifth person on banjo. Unlike my band mates, Mollybloom has been my one and only band.
Quick & Condensed
Dave Dahl who spent his early years in Montana , is currently a practicing
Music Therapist. Dave has played banjo and guitar for more than 20 years. He is also a highly accomplished pianist. Dave is the bands main writer and arranger.
Bob Rindy, on fiddle, has played violin in symphony orchestras and chamber
ensembles, and in several folk and rock bands in Salem and Eugene over the
past 20 years. Classically trained on the violin since childhood, Bob
performs a range of fiddle styles, including bluegrass, Celtic, folk and
blues.
Ron Relaford, a massage therapist and music teacher, has played and taught
mandolin, banjo, and guitar for over 30 years. As a mandolin player, Ron has
performed with Celtic, Blues, and folk groups. His varied music background
even includes African drumming.
Clark Blanchard is a public school music teacher in Silverton, Oregon. He
has performed in local bands since 1963. Clark began his music career as a
piano and guitar player in the 1970’s. Clark then turned to playing electric
bass and singing while making a living playing Pop, Rock, and Jazz in the
Portland area. More recently, Clark has added acoustic bass to his musical
repertoire and continues to create the solid bass on which Mollybloom rises.
Randy White, the newest member of the group is returning to the bluegrass banjo after branching out into rock and country. He grew up in Huntington Beach, CA. He started playing the guitar at age 9 and the banjo at age 13. He records and produces music and produces web sites.