Josh Brough

Josh Brough Banjo Player, Vocals, Organ SagittariusGather round the campfire and chill out with this man.

Josh grew up in Mill Valley, back in the day when the Depot was full of hippies, not dogs waiting to have their teeth cleaned.  (He can’t afford to live there these days.)  He spent a good portion of his childhood playing the piano, and picked up the guitar in Isla Vista during those U-Can-Study-Buzzed college years.  He spent a year in Spain studying flamenco guitar where he almost ran away with the gypsies.Instead he joined the Peace Corps El Salvador, where he swatted flies, surfed, built latrines, drank moonshine with the farmers and picked up the banjo.  He hasn’t been the same since.In 2004 Josh released a solo CD titled ‘The American Dream’, which you can buy at most PMW shows or on CD baby. More information about his solo project is available at his website, JoshBrough.comVisit Josue Torpe on Myspace

Jason Beard

Jason Beard Mandolin Player CapricornJason says: “Hello, Penticton!”

Jason began his musical Journey as a guitarist with roots in Folk Music and psychedelic Jam Band Rock.  For kicks he picked up the Mandolin and co-founded Poor Man’s Whiskey with Josh Brough.  As a songwriter Jason tries to bring his psychedelic jam mentality to the bluegrass genre, helping to give PMW a core part of their unique sound.  In 2003 Jason released his first solo album, “ScrapBook Melodies”.

When not playing in Poor Man’s Whiskey you can see him in his side project, JED.

To order his CD, inquire about hiring him for session work, or more information, please contact him directly via his website at:
Jason Beard Music

Or you can go to CD Baby directly to buy Jason’s most recent release,‘Leaving Home’

Aspen Stevenson

Aspen Stevenson Doghouse and Electric Bass, Vocals Libra”Don’t even talk to me about a groove that isn’t thick!”

Aspen’s first musical instincts were clearly misguided, as a DJ at a roller rink.  Soon he came to his senses and began playing the guitar.  After making a small name for himself playing classical and new age “music to chew by” in Sonoma County restaurants and cafes, he decided he needed something that he could shake his ass to.

The guys at the rental shop were embarrased to rent him his first upright bass, it was so beat up.  They found it gathering dust up on some shelf in the back somewhere.  But that was the way he liked it, and he beat it up some more.  He soon was holding it down in the Speakeasy Jug Band, the east coast jamjug phenomenon.  Before long, he was back on the left coast, playing Django-inspired swing with the 5 Tons of Rhythm.  After a long stint with the foot-stomping americana rock band Howdy!, he is now rambling and roving across the countryside with the PMW crew, drinking whiskey, causing trouble, and making sure that no burrito joint goes without its fair share of bluegrass.

George Smeltz

George Smeltz Drums -ZulooA wop bop a loo bop, a bim bam Boom!

George grew up on the dirt roads of a small but devastated area in the Congo. At an early age, the local medicine man took notice that George had the ‘shine’.  Taken under the wing of the tribal sage, these talents were honed to perfection. Some say it is the secret behind George’s amazing sense of time (we think it is because he wears a Rolex).

Due to the strict Catholic upbringing George experienced in this remote village, he was not able to assuage his need for rapid wrist movements in the convention teenage fashion. In order to find ‘relief’ from the urges, he turned to another great African tradition, drums. George spent hours a day beating to his own drummer on anything near him.  This, of course, got him into lots of trouble with neighboring tribes, causing him to take refuge in the mountains.

It was there he was befriended by a group of mountain gorillas. The alpha silverback of the tribe, BonBonham, helped George take his drumming to the next level.  George spent several years under the tutelage of this great master, perfecting the drumming style he is now known for.   Upon seeing the plight of his native Mountain gorilla friends during his drumming tenor in the canopies of the Congo, he vowed to become a voice for the oppressed primates.  He arrived on the shores of America exhausted from the long swim, but invigorated none the less. George eventually made it to California , and there found the musical voice he had been searching for in Poor Man’s Whiskey.

Side notes: George likes a firm hand shake and doesn’t take the opposable thumb for granted.

 

Chris Haugen

Chris Haugen Guitar

Guitarist and slide player Chris Haugen is well known throughout the industry for his innovative, roots guitar playing, intuitive feel, and solid professionalism. Chris has collaborated with a host of influential artists including Ken Kesey, Ted Templeman, and Sean Penn.

Chris co-founded and toured with Jambay, and has played lead guitar with Theresa Andersson, and Melvin Seals, among others. His original music has received critical acclaim. More about Chris www.chrishaugen.net.