The Modern Hicks are: Kevin Russell, Layne Bowen, Gina Blaber, Craig Anderson, and Ted Dutcher. Kevin Russell Kevin, a Seattle native, is a founding member of Modern Hicks & a multi-instrumentalist. Kevin plays guitar, mandolin, 5-string banjo, resophonic guitar and sings lead and harmony. In addition to the Hicks, Kevin plays in the alt-country bands the Lucky Dawgs, Laughing Gravey, and with singer/songwriter Mark McLay & the Dustdevils. Kevin also hosts a bluegrass and western swing radio program on Sonoma County's PBS station, KRCB (91.1) and writes CD reviews for an on-line website www.freighttrainboogie.com In December 2002 Kevin released a solo CD on the Jackalope Label entitled, "You Don't Know Me". Kevin will release a second "solo" CD with musical hero's Jim Hurst & Missy Raines in the spring of 2005. Layne Bowen Layne, a founding member of Modern Hicks, plays mandolin and guitar. Originally from Emporia, Kansas, Layne cut his bluegrass teeth playing mandolin with the Skunk Valley Boys (which also included high school buddy and long-time Bluegrass Patriot dobro player Ranger Rick Bradstreet). In addition to his instrumental and songwriting contributions, Layne sings harmony and lead parts for the band. Layne is also a session musician and a member of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers & plays with the Alt-country/Americanna band the Lucky Dawgs. Gina Blaber Gina sings both lead and harmony parts for the Modern Hicks. She moved to Sonoma County from her native New England where she was a member of Libana, a women's chorus, singing music from Eastern Europe. Among the musical influences Gina readily acknowledges are jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln and the soulful country duet work of the Louvin Brothers. Craig Anderson Craig, on dobro and 5-string banjo, hails from Southern California. There he played with various sidewalk bands such as the Chubascos and the Three Stooges Cooking School. Craig enjoys pushing the envelope by playing the music of the Clash and the Talking Heads with the vehicle of traditional bluegrass. Ted Dutcher Ted plays the bass for the Modern Hicks. A veteran of several Sonoma County bluegrass, he is perhaps best known for his work with the critically acclaimed Sonoma County band, HiJinks. Ted brings a rock-solid rhythm, a keen sense of harmony & a fine sense of arrangements to the band. He also plays in a duet with partner Ellen Silver, & for the eclectic folk-rock band Too Many Cooks.