Bio

Old Wood is an acoustic Americana trio based in Bozeman Montana consisting of Stewart Joseph (a.k.a. Rowdy), Robert Banfill (a.k.a. Howdy), and Mary Rose. These three have been playing music together since 1976-ish. The exact date is lost to time. After spending 30 or so years raising families and running off to Alaska they are now finding the time to return to the music that so inspired them in the beginning. Nights around a campfire in the wilds of Southern Utah listening to Robby Anslow perform with an authenticity and energy that is rarely seen even today was the inspiration for them to learn to play themselves.

In those early days, there was no Internet, no social media, no smart phones. They had a lot of time and they used that time to entertain themselves, friends and family, and anyone who happened to stop by. This consisted primarily of drinking whiskey (and tequila) and playing songs into the wee hours on a regular basis. They discovered the joy that music brings when shared openly and authentically. The community of people that resulted showed them that the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts. This was their inspiration and those experiences in turn inspired many of the next generation to pursue music in their lives. During this time, they were fortunate to share the song circle with many other great musicians, each leaving their mark upon the others.

Then life intervened. Into the 90’s they were busy raising children, teaching, working, and found less and less time for music. Robert moved away, Mary Rose headed to Alaska, Stewart and others went on to form Across the Waters, a local favorite, performing throughout the desert Southwest. Now many years and many miles later, Old Wood find themselves in the same town, rekindling the fires that were there in the beginning and have never gone out.

So if good old songs performed by a couple of old guys (and one ornery gal) from the sticks are your kind of thing, you’re invited to pull up a chair, grab yourself some pandowdy and an adult beverage, and enjoy.

Cheers!

P.S. If you do take any wooden nickels, please forward them on to Rowdy over at http://woodennickelfetish.com.

P.P.S. Picasso said, “The chief enemy of creativity is good taste.”