County Line Bluegrass

Terry McGill is one of the most well known banjo players in the Northeast and has released two recordings for Cabinwood Music. He has been highlighted in Banjo Newsletter and has authored a book of banjo tunes played in alternate tunings for Mel Bay Publications. Terry’s 2001 solo recording “Straight Drive” has received airplay nationwide.

David Chernack is a lifelong multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Hyde Park, New York. He grew up primarily playing classical violin and viola, David now primarily plays bluegrass fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. While he is not a professional musician, David has won several awards—including at Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Lowell Fiddle and Banjo Contest—for his instrumental skill. He also performs in several Hudson Valley- and NYC-based bluegrass acts. David is also the president of the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association and is committed to expanding the reach of bluegrass to reach as many ears as possible in the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Dick Bowden is one of the leading traditional bluegrass banjo pickers in New England. Starting in 1966 with The Bowden Family and The Fort Knox Volunteers, Dick helped establish bluegrass in his home state of Maine. He was a bench member of Joe Val’s New England Bluegrass Boys, and played five years with Herb Applin’s Berkshire Mountain Boys. Moving to New York in 1989, Dick played guitar with The Case Brothers – Martin & Gibson (two recordings) for 10 years, and played banjo on fiddler Joe Meadows’ final CD in 2001. With his encyclopedic knowledge of bluegrass styles and lyrics, Dick is the go-to guy to lead high-level bluegrass jam sessions or emcee concerts and festivals. He’s a frequent contributor to online and print publications and currently serves as Ringmaster of Dick Bowden’s Flying Circus, a high-energy revue of seriousness and silliness.

David Gandin (bass) was a fixture of the New York City bluegrass and honkytonk scene before relocating to the Hudson Valley. He plays with a solid, yet simple style influenced by the classic sounds of 1950's country, rockabilly and swing recordings. His love of bluegrass is evident in his playing and has led him to perform with the likes of Marty Stuart, Leigh Gibson, Tony Trishka, Greg Garing, the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band, the Demolition String Band, Straight Drive, Big Appalchia, Reckin So and other bands too numerous to mention. He currently performs and teaches bass and guitar in the Hudson Valley where he lives with his wife and four children.

Mandolinist Ben Fraker hails from the rolling hills of western Massachusetts, where he grew up in a family of bluegrass musicians. He honed his Monroe style playing in the Brooklyn scene, then joined regional favorites Straight Drive and Big Appalachia, performing at festivals and clubs throughout the Northeast. He has played alongside legends such as Charlie Louvin, John Herald, and Andy Statman, and is now excited to be joining with the other talented members of County Line to bring more hard driving traditional bluegrass to the public.