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Silly Ridge is a Highlands based troupe that brings fun, energy, and toe-tapping mixture of classic bluegrass, and popular music, to any event throughout the Highlands - Cashiers plateau. Although the band is built around the three core members, they often expand, drawing upon a broad circle of professional-level, good friends. Silly Ridge is a strong dose of musical fun
Knight Martorell's banjo playing provides the syncopated drive, weaving between traditional Scruggs style and melodic improvisations to navigate the banjo’s voice to suit whatever direction the band goes. Since the age of 13, he has performed as a multi-instrumentalist with multiple bands. Since he grew up playing bluegrass during the summer months at Helen's Barn in Highlands, and rock and roll during the winters in Florida, he enjoys creatively blurring the boundaries between musical genres with the banjo, harmonica, and mandolin. Working with a diverse collection of talented, and like-minded musicians,
Silly Ridge provides Knight the opportunity to create new and unexpected music within the format of Appalachian instruments.
Mario Renes - Bass.
Rock-n-Roll Background, previously played bass for Madmen and Dreamers, ( theatrical, progressive rock). Bluegrass and Gospel ? Not a CLUE. Having a blast playing it !
Jim Yoder grew up in Ft. Wayne, IN singing a cappella with his three siblings and parents at home and in church. He started playing guitar in high school and played in acoustic bands in college. One of those bands played in Portugal, South Africa and the Middle East for two months. Moved to CO, taught himself mandolin and bass, played in several bands; toured the country full time with a band called Tanglefoot in the 1970's. Moved to Cashiers in 1981 and has played in many bands with musicians from Cashiers, Highlands, Salem SC, and Brevard for the past 40 years including local bands, Johnny and the Naturals, Cashiers Music Company, High 5, The 909 Bluegrass Band, and now Silly Ridge.
David Goodrow (guitar/vocals) escaped from a 32 year insurance career in Atlanta to the year-round mountain beauty of the Highlands Plateau in 2007. Bluegrass and old-time music was in the air and David grew into an appreciation of the rich variety in styles coming from Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs, the Seldom Scene, Old Crow Medicine Show and others. Today, in Silly Ridge, David enjoys playing a variety of material, from traditional standards to newgrass variations on Tom Petty, the Beatles and Bob Dylan.
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