Buddy Merriam formed Back Roads in 1980 out of his love and respect for traditional bluegrass music. He learned from the Father of Bluegrass Music Bill Monroe & is dedicated to seeing his music live on & grow. The band has played throughout the North East, Nashville TN (The Grand Ole Opry), IBMA World of Bluegrass shows in Owensboro & Louisville KY and 2 tours of Ireland, Scotland & England and most of the large bluegrass festivals in the North East. Buddy Merriam & Back Roads have recorded 7 CD's including Back Roads Mandolin, all original mandolin music composed by Buddy released in 2010 and Buddy's 2 books of original mandolin compositions Back Roads Mandolin Vol. 1 & 2. The current line up of the group consists of Buddy Merriam-mandolin, Matt Riley-guitar & vocals, Brian Chabza-5 string fiddle, Ward Cloughen-string bass & vocals and Bob Sehy-5 string banjo. The band presents professional bluegrass entertainment with drive, tone & taste. "The Farm" features 5 new compositions by Buddy, Matt's title track along with his powerful "Live Free or Die" and two great Bill Monroe songs. Kathy DeVine guests singing a wonderful Susan Bach song "In These Hills". www.BuddyMerriam.com and also at www.facebook.com/buddymerriam and www.facebook.com/buddymerriamandbackroads