Bio's

Rich Hamilton

Rich has been fiddling and singing with a number of bands since 1979, most recently with Gopher Broke. He's also appeared with Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show from TX, Big Country Bluegrass of Va and others. A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, he also spends alot of time on the clawhammer banjo and guitar.

Bob Dean

Bob's been playing bluegrass guitar since 1990. He's appeared with Gopher Broke from Vermont and a couple of local bluegrass bands in the southern NH area before forming the Stillhouse Jammers with Rich. A soulful singer of ballads and drivin grass standards, he also contributes original tunes to the bands playlist.

Al Stapleford

We are quite pleased to have Al join the Jammers on banjo. Al, a self-taught banjo picker, has been playing 40 years and we love the energy he brings to the band. He has performed with many New England bands such as Herb Applin & Berkshire Mtn. Boys, Pine Hill Rambers, Lost River Ramblers and Monadnock. Al has many original banjo numbers which set the grass afire.

Ben Weiss, Cambridge, MA ~ mandolin

It's hard to believe Ben's been playing mandolin for only four years now. He grew up in suburban Boston, far from any freight trains and lonesome whistles, and there weren't any girls named Liza Jane or Sally Ann at his high school. However, sometime after college Ben started listening to alot Bill Monroe and Frank Wakefield. He really loves that old-time style, says that it's gets his adrenaline going! Ben majored in journalism at Hampshire College and is currently employed at a social work agency. This is Ben's first band and he says he is honored to be starting off playing music with such accomplished & soulful players and songwriters! .... and we are quite happy to have him with the Jammers!

Tom Fitzgerald, Arlington, MA ~ bass

Tom has been involved with bluegrass for sometime now; he has played guitar & sang with several bands such as Wachusett Mountain Boys, Groundspeed, & Soginese Creek. He also plays bass fiddle and guitar with Crop Circles band of NH Lakes region. Tom works in downtown Boston & tries to spend most of his spare time pickin with other musicians. His solid sense of timing is a welcome addition to the Jammers.