"THE REAL" STEVE AUSTIN- BANJO, GUITAR, & VOCALS
"DUST BOWL" DAVE RYAN- MANDOLIN & BAZOUKI
"PANHANDLE" DAVE CURRALL- GUITAR & VOCALS
DAVE "THE GROOVER" GROVER- BASS & VOCALS
If Bakersfield had a delta, and that delta had a sound, it might sound something like the Hooverville Rounders. The Hooverville Rounders are an acoustic band drawing from diverse influences, including bluegrass, folk, gospel, country, rock, blues, honky-tonk, Tex-Mex, Cajun, and whatever else we're feelin' at the time. Guitarist Dave Currall calls it "Blues-Grass".
The Hooverville Rounders are a band of seasoned professional musicians(you know…uh…baby boomers). Although everyone in the band now has a career outside of music, the desire to play and the love of music is the bond that keeps them playing. “The first impulse is to call us a bluegrass band”, says banjo player and vocalist Steve Austin. “While we certainly draw a lot from that genre, we’re influenced by a little bit of everything. I guess we’d fall into what’s now called ‘Americana’, which is a broad-brush term generally applied to musicians lacking fashion sense and choreography”.
To paraphrase Charlie Daniels, “they ain’t good-lookin, but they sure can play!” Each of the Hooverville Rounders has over 30 years of playing experience, having played in assorted musical acts since…well…since Old Shep was a pup!
Steve Austin and guitarist Dave Currall played together in a variety of country and rock bands in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, including “Saddle Tramp”, “Deuces Wild”, and “Wingus Holler”. After pursuing numerous musical projects individually and with other bands over the years, Steve and Dave joined forces with mandolin player “Dust Bowl” Dave Ryan to form the Hooverville Rounders in 2005. With the addition of bassist Dave “The Groover” Grover, the lineup was complete. Since their formation, the band has built a loyal following through appearances at festivals, nightclubs, coffee houses, and private parties throughout southern and central California. In addition to being added to the play lists of several Internet radio stations featuring Bluegrass and Americana music, the Hooverville Rounders have appeared on the MTV series, “Date My Mom”, in which they're featured playing an instrumental version of “My Old Kentucky Home”. They have also been invited to contribute to an upcoming tribute to the late musician Buddy Blue, and are in the process of recording their own debut CD.
Originally a guitarist, Steve Austin began playing the banjo after receiving one as a Christmas present (thanks Cindy...you've created a monster!). "I always knew I was...different from all the other guitar players", he says, "I guess I was always a banjo player trapped in a guitarist's body." He cites among his influences such legendary banjo pickers as Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck, and Doug Dillard, and appears to have taken to the instrument like the proverbial “duck to water”. Guitar virtuoso Dave Currall’s playing draws from such diverse influences as Johnny Winter, Richard Betts, Doc Watson, and Robert Johnson, and he’s established a reputation as one of the area’s top guitarists. Mandolin player “Dust Bowl” Dave Ryan has played Bluegrass, Folk, and Celtic music at festivals, nightclubs, coffee houses, and farmers’ markets in and around Southern California. His playing is influenced by contemporary and traditional mandolin players, including Sam Bush, David Grisman, and Bill Monroe. Holding it all together is rock-solid bassist Dave “The Groover” Grover. Groover has a degree in music, and has toured and recorded with such luminaries as Elvin Bishop, Mickey Thomas, Rufus, and Chaka Khan. “We’re still wondering what the heck somebody with Groover’s credentials is doing playing with us-we suspect the witness protection program may have driven him underground-but we’re sure glad to have him in the band”, says Steve, “Actually, I’m honored to be playing with all of these guys. Not only are they a lot of fun to be around, but they’re also really good players. It’s a treat to play with people whose company you enjoy and you respect as musicians”.
A Hooverville
Rounders show is a combination of solid musicianship, tight vocal harmonies,
and an entertaining stage show. Whatever ya call it, it's music straight from
the California Panhandle. Come on out and see for yourself…you deserve
a little fun!