Background

The Rockdale Boys have been playing together as a group for approximately 5 years. The genesis of the band took place when Mark Sutherland and Bob Alek, two long time residents of Rockdale met at Mark's birthday celebration. Harry Gambrill was also present with a banjo on his knee. A jam session occurred (Mark's birthday wish) and all three felt a spiritual as well as a musical connection. Dan Hughs joined the band after a short parade of bass players, and added a fourth voice along with a solid sense of timing and tempo. It was just what was needed to tighten and refine the sound.

The boys have mostly been performing for church benefits and at local festivals and events. The music is a mix of traditional Bluegrass, Gospel and some original compositions.

For a more detailed picture of each band member, please scroll down to read a short biography.

What's New

This past summer the Rockdale Boys added veteran fiddle player Rick Shryock to the musical line-up. His blazing fiddle, strong vocal and a fine sense of how bluegrass music should be played, has transformed the sound into something truly inspired and not to be missed.

A studio recording is planned for the near future. So be on the lookout for a new CD featuring Mark and Harry's original compositions as well as some great old traditional and gospel bluegrass music.

Mark Sutherland - Mandolin, Vocals

An accomplished bluegrass musician and composer, Mark has been playing mandolin, guitar, and harmonica for many years. Songs like;

My Mama Prayed', 'Crossin' the Creek' and 'Ol' Rockdale' have become favorites with the boys and with their audience. Some of Mark's influences include the Beatles, The Allman Brothers, and Doyle Lawson. Along with his song writing skills, his ability to arrange the bands music, his fine vocal and harmony, and his encyclopedic knowledge of both traditional and gospel bluegrass, has made the Rockdale Boys a true musical force and inspiration in the area.

Harry Gambrill - Banjo, Vocals

It was originally contemplated by some of the boys in the group, to call the band 'Harry Gambrill and the Rockdale Boys' or
'The Rockdale Boys Featuring Harry Gambrill'. He really is that GOOD! Fortunately, he is also a pretty humble guy and wouldn't hear of it. Along with banjo and vocal, Harry also plays the guitar, the bass, the mandolin and the resonator guitar. Some of Harry's compositions include, Sugar Valley Stomp, Identify with the Cross and My West Virginia Home. When Harry isn't playing with the Rockdale Boys he's ministering to the children of Grace Bible Fellowship Church. When he's not doing the Lords work, he teaches other music enthusiasts the fine art of banjo and guitar.

Bob Alek - Guitar, Vocals

Bob has been playing music from a very early age. Starting with the trumpet and the drums and later taking up the guitar, harmonica, flute and fiddle as well as singing lead vocal in several rock bands in the last century. While being a fan of bluegrass music since teenage, Bob is relatively new to performing both gospel and bluegrass music. His guitar playing has evolved from a jazz style to rock and then finally to bluegrass over the last 35 years. His lead vocal can be heard on many of their songs. The blend of Bob and Mark's harmony give the Rockdale Boys a unique sound not often heard in this type of music.

Dan Hughs - Bass, Vocals

Dan has been playing with the Rockdale Boys for the past three years. He brought a strong sense of timing and tempo which was greatly appreciated and needed. He also brought a fourth voice and an acute ability to recognize when an arrangement isn't working and often suggests just the right idea to get it back on track. He has been playing the bass and the guitar for many years but this is also Dan's first foray into bluegrass music.

Rick Shryock - Fiddle, Vocals

Rick studied classical viola at a young age, and played in various local bands. In the mid 70's he performed on the Chicago folk music scene with the Casualaires, recording a single produced by Bob Hoban of Flying Fish Records. In the late 70's Rick was invited to play fiddle and lead guitar with Nashville songwriter, Dave Gibson. They recorded radio commercials and original songs and were the house band at Nashville North, opening shows for Alabama, Hank Williams, Jr, Buck Owens and Ferlin Husky. In addition to performing with the Rockdale Boys, he plays with the Praise Team at the First Baptist Church of Collingdale and hosts a coffeehouse at The Vine Christian Shoppe in Springfield, PA.