As many of you know by now, the past 6 months have brought some changes to the Double Down Daredevils. Davids departure, even on the best of terms left us in the tall grass for a little while but we figured it out and we’re coming back stronger than ever! The Daredevils are now a 6 piece group! With the addition of Mary Ellen Fox and Zach Tauer
Mary Ellen Marks Fox: (Offsite bio) Mary Ellen came to our concert at the Hastings Arts Center a while back and, after the show, she said “I’d like to play with you guys” We said “Okay” Mary Ellens background is classical violin and viola. When she is not busy with her job as head nurse for the Hastings School System, She teaches violin in her own studio, conducts the Hastings Middle School Honors Orchestra, and plays with a contemporary band at Church and also plays in the recently formed Ponticelli String Chamber Ensemble. You might notice that nothing here really says “Bluegrass” but she wanted to add bluegrass fiddle to her toolbox and as you get to know Mary Ellen one thing becomes quite clear- Underestimating her is a mistake. She has the desire and the work ethic – proven through months of intense practice. She will be one to watch on the bluegrass scene!
Zach Tauer: Zach received a banjo for Christmas in 2014. In the spring of 2015 he started the band Compost Sleeping Bag. As a self-taught banjo player, he has been able to excel by playing with other musicians since he started learning the banjo. He enjoys bluegrass jams, whiskey infused late night jams, sit-ins, and gigging around Minneapolis. Zach also has been playing banjo with the progressive bluegrass group, The Common Ground Company since the fall of 2016. He is excited to starting playing with the Double Down Dare Devils. Zach plays 3-finger style banjo. He combines Scruggs, melodic, and single-string techniques. His banjo role models include Scott Vestal, Chris Pandolfi, and JD Crowe. He plays a Recording King RK-35R. Zach is approximately half the average age of the rest of us and we try to give him the requisite amount of grief over that. He's a quick study and a free spirit and we are glad to have him in the Daredevils!
Come and meet the new Daredevils this Saturday (November 11) at Hobgoblin Music Loft in Red Wing! It's gonna be a great show!