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ABOUT

A Mountains Worth of Tasty Acoustic Musicd

The members of Glacial Drifters have come together from their varied backgrounds in rock, bluegrass, cajun, jazz, classical and blues to create a blend of styles that defies any easy definition. Upbeat with just a little twang, the Glacial Drifters plays some crowd pleasing music that some critics have labeled “Not Bad” join the Glacial Drifters for some good time music and a few laughs along the way.

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BAND MEMBERS

We're the Glacial Drifters

CHRIS BARNES

Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Slide Guitar

Chris grew up in Lower Michigan and started playing tenor banjo as a young teenager accompanying his piano playing mother at VFW and Elks club dances. He quickly switched to 5 string banjo after hearing “Dueling Banjos” on the radio. After being exposed to mid-70’s rock and roll, Chris spent his remaining college time playing full throttle rock and roll with several bands. His interest in acoustic music brought him back full circle to the banjo and acoustic Americana music.

JOE HARDIN

Guitar, Harmonica

Joe cut his teeth on 70’s rock and roll as well as new grass artists such as Tony Rice and Bela Fleck. Joe was raised in a small town in southeastern Minnesota. He picked up the guitar when he was 8, played his first gig at 10, and played bass in various rock bands through his teenage years. After a stint in the U.S. Navy Joe remained in San Diego where he performed solo gigs and expanded his repertoire to include jazz and bluegrass.
In the Madison area he was a member of Live Oak Treeo before cofounding The Glacial Drifters.

STEVEN NEVILLE

Bass, Cello

Stephen Neville grew up in Rochester, New York on a steady diet of 70s rock. Trained as a classical cellist and jazz bassist, Steven began his musical career in his teens, playing the many small clubs that were part of the Rochester jazz scene. He fell in love (again) with American music while teaching himself fingerstyle ragtime and blues guitar. Steven's influences include Paul Chambers, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Blanton and Charlie Haden.

KATIE PING WOODS

Fiddle

Katie Ping has played violin since the age of five, learning by ear through the Suzuki method, and for 10 years played with the Madison Youth Symphony Orchestra. She subsequently played first violin for five years with the Edgewood College Chamber Orchestra. Bitten by the Cajun bug, she switched her primary interest from classical violin to Cajun fiddle. She has studied with and played with some of the most renowned Cajun fiddlers, including David Greeley at the annually held Balfa camp.

JACK THE DOG

Mascot

Jack is truly a shining star. People always love seeing him in full performance mode, and the band couldn’t be happier to have such an incredible dog as our mascot. Jack makes sure the Drifters vibe is always real! His interests include playing gently with children, receiving tummy rubs, listening to Americana music and eating dinner.

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