Bruce Rupert (mandolin, vocals)

Growing up in eastern Pennsylvania, Bruce Rupert comes from a musical family.  His mother studied opera, his father was an accomplished cornet player, and his great grandfather was an old- time fiddler.  On any given Sunday afternoon, one might hear anything from Johnny Cash, Peter Paul and Mary, Sousa march tunes or Handel’s Messiah coming from the family stereo.  At an early age, Bruce discovered songwriters like Bob Dylan and Harry Chapin, and was later influenced by songwriters like Robin & Linda Williams and Andy M Stewart. He first heard

Bluegrass and old-time music while in his early teens, and soon learned to play the guitar and clawhammer banjo. Influenced by bands like the Red Clay Ramblers and The Hot Mud Family, Bruce formed his own old time string bands while in high school, and performed at local events in the Quakertown PA area. In the years that followed, Bruce was a member of the "Fresh Vegetables", a Lehigh Valley based old-time band, and played as a duet with fellow singer – songwriter Jose Pimienta-Bey while at Gettysburg College, where he polished his harmony skills.  For the past ten years Bruce has been involved in songwriting, and in performing Bluegrass music. Hearing and "experiencing" John Duffey of the "Seldom Scene" was a defining moment in his musical career. Another major influence is Tim O’Brien.  Bruce has been a member of Bluegrass bands "Willow Creek", "Richland Station" and along with Tim Scheetz was a founding member of "Mountain Heritage" in the fall of 2001.  He released a solo CD of his original material in 1999, entitled "So Far From Her" and has appeared on Willow Creek's CD "Remembering" and on Patti Davis & Bandits 2001 release "Lonely Street". He lives in Stewartsville NJ with his wife Doreen and son Daniel.