Mount St. Helens Bluegrass Festival, Toledo Washington
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Small Towne Bluegrass Band ...Friday Show Only

About The Small Towne Bluegrass & Gospel Band

Small Towne hails from the bluegrass corridor between Seattle, Washington and Astoria, Oregon. Small Towne is new band just recently formed in 2007. The band is composed of four unique musicians that come from a variety of musical backgrounds. The members of the band include Jim Wade on bass, Ethan Lawton on mandolin, Brad Griswold on banjo, and Randy Weese on guitar. Each individual brings a refreshing and diverse musical contribution to Small Towne. Small Towne's musical focus arrives at traditional, contemporary, gospel and original bluegrass music.

Jim Wade

On acoustic Bass and vocals is Jim Wade. Jim has played in many different musical genres' in his life as a vocalist, musician and songwriter. Jim has an outstanding tenor voice that adds richness to the vocal blend of Small Towne. Jim completes the rhythm section and brings his multi-talents as a song writer/musician to the group. Jim lives in the little country town of Oakley, California.


On mandolin and vocals is Ethan Lawton. Ethan is a devotee of Bill Monroe's mandolin playing and Stanley Brothers singing styles. Ethan has been featured in a number of bands including Southern Sounds and No Parta Nothin. Ethan hails from Seattle, Washington. We are fortunate to have Ethan as a Northwest musician and band member.

Brad Griswold

Burning up the banjo, and adding his unique vocal style to Small Towne is Brad Griswold. Brad hails from Tumwater, Washington. Brad's solid banjo style is heavily influenced by such greats as Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe and Sammy Shelor with just enough melodic and single string influence to make him a complete banjo player. Brad has performed in numerous bluegrass groups around the northwest, including, The Snake Oil Medicine Show, Scatter Creek, Stoney Point and as part of Chinook Wind with Roger and Janice Maddy.


 Randy Weese

On guitar and vocals is Randy Weese. Randy draws on both traditional and contemporary bluegrass music. Randy's driving rhythm and lead guitar style is a result of influences of such legends as Larry Sparks, Clarence White, Roy Nicholls and James Burton. Randy has played in both country and bluegrass bands in his musical career. Randy lives in the coastal community of Astoria, Oregon.



Sound by OMB ( Rob Folsom)

Master of Ceremonies:
Jim Delfel, Friday; Sharon Bennett and Sharon Sandgren, Saturday; Ruth Ann Hocking, Sunday.


© 2007, 2008 Washington Bluegrass Association
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