The Cache Valley Drifters (CVD) have been a band since 1972. The group has traveled and played throughout the U.S. and Europe developing a reputation as one of the premier bluegrass bands in the world. In the '70s and early '80s, the band toured and recorded with singer-songwriter Kate Wolf. CVD have also released seven acclaimed albums over the years.

Bill Griffin (mandolin, guitar & vocals) joined CVD in 1973, shortly after the group's formation. He has performed on all of the group's albums. He also worked closely as a sideman and record producer with California songwriter and folk legend Kate Wolf, until her untimely passing in 1985. One of the albums he produced for Kate, "Poet's Heart", was voted "Best Folk Album of the Year" by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors and Manufacturers (NAIRD) in 1986. Bill's playing can also be heard on albums by artists such as Earl Robinson (writer of "Ballad of Joe Hill"), Pete Seeger and Odetta. He also recorded a series of national radio spots with Burl Ives for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Wally Barnick (Acoustic and Fender bass & vocals)has been playing music professionally since 1971. He first joined CVD in 1975, leaving the group temporarily in 1979. Maintaining his friendship and musical ties to the band, his involvement in the reformation of CVD in 1993 seemed inevitable. As part of Kate Wolf's long list of sidemen, he played bass for tracks on her second album Lines On The Paper, released in 1977. Wally toured internationally for two years with Dennis Caplinger and John Moore in the trio known as Bluegrass Etc. and provided vocal tracks for their 1999 release "Home Is Where The Heart Is", released on Tricopolis Records.

Mike Mullins (guitar, mandolin & vocals) took up guitar at age 10, mandolin at age 20 and has been an active participant on the international acoustic music scene for over two decades. In the 1980s Mike was the guitarist for the Phil Salazar Band, appearing on two of the group's recordings and in 1990 co-founded the Acousticats with CVD alumnus Cyrus Clarke, releasing "Down At Evangelina's" on Flying Fish Records in 1992. In this setting, Mike established himself as a skilled songwriter as well as a highly praised musician and in 1993 joined the newly reformed Cache Valley Drifters, with whom he had maintained close musical ties since the early '70's. In addition to appearing on CVD's 1995 release "White Room" and 1998's critically acclaimed "mightyfine.net", the coming year will find Mike working on his own solo project. To date he has appeared on over 30 other recordings, including banjo wizard John McEuen's release "Acoustic Traveller." Mike has also been seen at Russ & Julie's House Concerts in previous years backing Penny Nichols, CVD alumnus David West, and our December 2000 Holiday Concert with Severin, Penny, Freebo and Deborah McColl.

More information on the CVD can be found at: www.cachevalleydrifters.com

This incredible concert (and it really was!) was generously sponsored by: Rick Hermelin, an Independent Associate and Group Benefits Specialist with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Call Rick at 805-494-8481 or check out Rick's website for information. Rick is one of our regulars, attending a majority of our house concerts. Thank you Rick for your ongoing support!