Bluegrass band lends support to science center

Event also features Rob Quist and Great Northern

California bluegrass favorite The David Thom Band and local band Rob Quist and Great Northern will be Rockin' for Ravenwood at the fourth annual fundraiser at the Rocky Mountain Roadhouse on July 15.

The event celebrates four years of Ravenwood's natural history and wilderness education programs. Doors open at 4 p.m.

The David Thom Band is a traditional bluegrass band from the San Francisco Bay area.The band plays bluegrass the old-fashioned way - no instrument amps or monitors. Band members sing into a single microphone resulting in a tight, classic sound at every performance.

Their second album, "The Thief," released in 2004, received national airplay and praise, and includes performances by David Grisman, Jim Nunally and other notables from the bluegrass world.

Leading the band for 10 years is David Thom, a solid lead vocalist, songwriter, and experienced showman. Guitarist and singer for the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience from 2002 to 2004, Thom's style of singing is powerful and soulful.

Andy Shaw's driving 5-string banjo style gets to the heart of the music. Influenced mainly by Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe, Shaw's straight-ahead tenor vocals blend seamlessly with Thom's. Upright bassist Mary Shaw anchors the band with her rock-solid rhythm and great contralto singing.

Ed Neff is known to all Northern California bluegrass fans as the premier fiddler and mandolin stylist in the traditional vein. He has been a fixture in the Bay Area bluegrass scene for over 30 years, playing with such stalwarts as High Country and the Vern Williams Band, with whom he spent 15 years.

Neff plays with a warm, traditional feel that incorporates the edginess of the original masters. He also handles most of the baritone vocals and some leads with his classic bluegrass voice.

Fiddler Paul Shelasky is the band's newest addition and is a perfect fit with his traditional style and devilish good looks. He has been featured on over 40 recordings since 1973 and played for 12 years with the influential Good Ol' Persons, making five albums. Shelasky was the California State Fiddle Champion in 1975 and 1981.

In addition to the great music, local businesses and artists have contributed to offer a superb list of items for door prizes and the lively Ravenwood silent auction. Attendees will be served locally produced salad greens, burgers, and desserts, accompanied by 16-ounce microbrews from one of the Flathead's fine breweries. Raspberry ginger lemonade and wine will be served as well.

Last year's event generated nearly $4,000 to expand education programs for youth and adults.

Minimum donation is $10 at the door. Children age 6 and under are free. Call 837-7279 or www.ravenwoodnsc.org for event information. Ravenwood Natural Science Center is a non-profit educational organization. All donations are tax deductible.

The Rocky Mountain Roadhouse is located 5 miles east of Bigfork on Montana 209.