Potluck Home Page

We are the

Potluck Ramblers

(Bluegrass & More)

_{^{BOB JIM KYLE BARB}}

If you're looking for us,

You found us!

If not..

Please stick around a bit & listen to the story of......

Ramblin' Bob,

Sung by Jim, accompanied by Potluck

Click below and sing & yodel along with Jim!

In The Jailhouse Now.mp3

Written By: Jimmy Rodgers, the singin' brakeman

(Featured in the film, "Oh Brother Where Art Thou")

Words & Chords posted here

And then, there's this......

Get your dancin' shoes on for this one!

Kyle, our banjo player

& the rest of the Ramblers playing;

Pony Express.mp3 Traditional

Pick up your banjo and play along! Key of A - if you don't play banjo, bless you my child!

Woo-hoo!

Picture courtesy Rick Vincent - Upper Highlands Festival 2010

Be sure to see the video from this recent gig by clicking here

If you like our version of these songs, you can let us know if you

And if you do, we'll gladly put you on our e-mail list to let you know about future live performances

Keep looking around;

There's recorded music on most every one of our pages!

Please note:

These and other songs on the Potluck website are from a recorded practice (or other home recordings);

This live session recording has not been mastered and therefore is not high quality,

but "Potluck" hopes you can get the flavor of our music.

Meanwhile, here's a little information about the

POTLUCK RAMBLERS

"Our band name is a great reference for playing a musical banquet, with something on the menu for everyone!"

For Parties, Anniversaries, Wedding Receptions & Much More

BARB FRIEDLAND JIM COWLES KYLE ELLISON BOB BUSH

Potluck is based in Louisville, Ky.

Performances are with, or without audio

Rates are increased nominally when band brings audio equipment

BARB

is both a visual and a graphic artist; she plays mandolin with Potluck and adds great vocals and harmony (you can hear a few of her contributions right here on this website - click on her picture or on "Listen to Potluck)." Barb has played guitar for years, but when the band asked her to pick up the mandolin, she jumped at the opportunity. And it didn't take her long to become super proficient at it. She still plays guitar now and then, mostly finger-picking, but she has fallen in love with the mandolin; Jim sometimes hands over his Larivee (so she can keep her hand in) and lets her get rollin' on it. You oughta hear her play and sing "Some of Shelly's Blues." Click on Barb's picture to hear her doing "Fever"

Barb at the Zeppelin Cafe

JIM

was once a *“Riverfront Rambler,” a Louisville and New Albany based folk group, known for doing mostly sixties folk; he played both "6" & "12" string acoustic guitar with them. He credits them with getting him on-stage. Jim was a cornet player in high school and sat first chair in the Male High Band. While he loved playing his horn, singing has always been his passion. His tenor voice and overall range give him a unique style, allowing him to sing bluegrass, folk, Irish and even some old time rock & roll. He is a retired Insurance Exec, and CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), finally doing the thing he loves most; singing and playing! He says he admires those who make music a full time gig, but the security of a day job was best for him. Click on Jim's picture to hear John Hartfords, "Gentle on my Mind."

*Riverfront Ramblers

Left to right, Jim (red pants), Ronnie Dee, Ed adams & Kenny Pyle (co-owner of The Rudyard Kipling Rest.) - Circa 1985 (The "goodul days")

KYLE

plays with several bands, but is mostly a Potlucker; he is an accomplished banjo player, practicing several hours each day (and playing at jams several nights a week). His finger-pickin' style quickly makes him a crowd favorite, but he can "frail" with the best of 'em as well. Don't ask him about his banjo unless you have a few hours to spare. He knows the instrument well and is quite willing to give pointers. Kyle is also owner and operator of "Kentucky Spring," where he produces several unique products, all manufactured from various hardwoods. Perhaps his most famous product is his folding salad tongs (below), which you are likely to find in many fine retail stores and gift shops across the country, or around the world. You can check out his website at

www.kentuckyspring.net

Click on Kyle's picture (above) and hear him playing "Breakin' it down"

Kyle's famous folding Salad Tongs: Kyle at the Zeppelin Cafe, St. Patrick's Day 2010

BOB

an outstanding musician with a keen musical ear, plays several instruments, but his job with Potluck is to keep the rest of the band in time and in line with his bass beat (and if you need music transposed, you need Bob). The picture above is of him playing a hollow electric bass, but he also plays stand-up (note below, right). He’s a semi-retired draftsman by profession and you can add to Bob's talent the art of woodworking - he is a fine craftsman, making cabinets and other beautiful wood products for the home. He's also an "old" Mercedes buff; he has a 1958 model in his garage (see picture below). OK, add one more talent; the art of converting cooking oils to diesel fuel. Bob supplies his diesel Mercedes station-wagon with all the fuel it needs. This guy is multi-talented!