Doug Baron
The creative genius behind the comic “Sugar Ray Finhead,” Baron can be found selling his wares at conventions around the USA . When he’s not drawing, or teaching, he unleashes a mean dobro on the world. He plays in a progressive bluegrass style that lends itself to folk, rock, country and, of course, a Stanley Brothers song. Baron can be heard on “Unfinished Business” and has played with Dill often since.

Steve Brown Steve has been banging stuff since he could remember. In the 80s he played on the Jersey Shore with The Bouncing Balls, and then became the percussionist for the Whirling Dervishes after their radio hit of You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Steve has played and sung on Frank’s album and both of Rick’s, as well as with Ron Kraemer and the Hurricanes. He continues to hone his chops up and down the Jersey coast, playing with many blues artists.

Vic D’Amico A savage mandolin player who’s been working the bluegrass circuit in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States for years. Vic has been with D.W. since they were kids. He jumped in on She’s Back and the two friends can be heard playing together for the first time in 30 years. He won’t play live, though. “You guys are too loud for me.”

Mark DiSciullo A creative force on many levels, he likes to get involved in many aspects of music: playing, recording, and graphic design. On the first album, he and his wife, Meghan, took all the photographs and came up with the concept for the CD cover. On the second CD, Mark can be heard playing keyboards on two tracks. He also likes to play his hollow body G-35 Gibson.

Michael Gribbroek The Horn. Michael took a daunting task—finding a horn part on Those Leaves are Flying—and made an enduring sound that will haunt listeners for years to come. Michael teaches music at Monmouth University as well as playing in bands and studio sessions in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. He also donates his time to many of the same charities as Maureen, which is a good thing, because they’re married.

D.W. Griffiths Dave grew up playing in bars before he was old enough to legally drink. He started his first band, Southern Conspiracy, in the 60s, and they were a full traveling caravan by the time he got out of high school. His band was often on the same bill as Steel Mill, the band featuring Bruce Springsteen, and rumor has it that D.W. is the “hazy Davey” referred to by Springsteen in the song Spirit in the Night. In the 70s he found bluegrass music, and he quickly became one of the best banjo players in the area, then the state, then the East, and finally the country. Ultimately, he played Lincoln Center, and his name was tossed around with Bela Fleck when people talked about banjo players. He made three albums of his original songs, distributed by Rounder Records, playing on one with the mandolin master Andy Statman. Eventually Dave scaled back to focus on his family, where Rick Dill met him. He sang and played on both of Rick’s albums, banjo on the first, and guitar on the second.

Bill Hearth The guy’s a lawyer for God’s sake, and he blows that sweet harp on Starting Over Everyday. Go figure.

Dave Laurance A superb violin player, among other instruments, he was the mastermind behind all the string parts on “Unfinished Business.” He loves to improvise and is comfortable playing everything from classical music to Appalachian reels.

Dave McCarthy Somebody said he was a great keyboard player, and he is. After he laid down tracks on Hammond B3 for Michaela and Storm Lovin’ Man, he was told the last song was in B-flat. “Oh really, that’s the only chord I can’t play.”

Maureen McCrink Now we’re getting serious. She brings that wonderful harmony/dual lead voice onto Lonesome Desert Skies from the first album, and Rick is trying to get her back. Such a beautiful thing to experience, Maureen lends her talents to many musical adventures, including The Shirleys, her own original gigs, and Holiday Express, a charity band made of local legends that raises money during the Christmas holidays.

Andy McDonough When Rick was looking for a keyboard player on the second album, Andy was recommended for obvious reasons: he is the man. Local music avatar and impresario, he’s involved in many causes that invariably help people through music. Whether it’s at fundraisers, benefits, the nationally-known Holiday Express Band, www.songwritersblock.com, the Average Tom White Band, ART, or your local eatery, Andy is there, playing in a positive way. He contributed piano and organ to several tracks on “Long Way Back,” including Dream Book and the title song.

Frank Patrouch Frank has been playing since before high school in bands both big and small. His first instrument was the drums, then a horn, and now he’s exploded into guitar, bass, keyboards and accordion. His path took him into the coffeehouses of America where he played songs from his first album, “Barks, Bites and Hairy Tales” (RBDmusic/Ride the Moon Records). At one time he was produced by bass player Gary Talent in Nashville, TN. Fate brought Frank and Rick Dill together at a fundraiser about 10 years ago, and they’ve been making music together ever since.

Joe “Bluesy” Savio Joe sat in on I Forget from the first album, and not long after that he retired from Ford Motors, pulled up stakes and moved to Florida with his wife, Barbara, and his Harley. Bluesy was the bass player for the Tonemasters for years, and he helped out Frank on a couple songs from Frank’s album, “Barks, Bites, and Hairy Tales.”

Rich Scott One of those guys who instinctively played everything with soul, Rich grew up doing blues, folk, rock, country and soul in bands all over the country. He toured with Greg Trooper years ago, and then switched to bass with a band called The Fins, and toured the East with them. Rich grew up in the same town as Dill and Trooper, and he still plays a mean Taj Mahal. By the way, he was born a poor black child.

Bruce Wacker Lead guitar player and songwriter for the Bruce Wacker Band, Bruce contributes two smoking Strat parts on Storm Lovin’ Man, and Michaela from the second album. His playing history dates back more than 20 years and has taken him all over the world. Rick particularly remembers many nights listening to Bruce’s former band, The Stylers.