Bluegrass Etc.

John Moore, Dennis Caplinger and Bill Bryson

Bluegrass Etc. performs a hard hitting show of instrumental expertise, vocal precision and stage personality that never fails to entertain. The group is well known internationally and tours more than eighteen countries per year, performing more than 200 shows annually at festivals and in concert. Bluegrass Etc. consists of John Moore (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dennis Caplinger (banjo, fiddle, vocals) and Bill Bryson (bass, vocals). The band has it’s roots in bluegrass music, but has evolved over the years int a much more dynamic and eclectic acoustic band. Watch for Bluegrass Etc. in a currently running nation wide commercial for Cingular Wireless.

John Moore: In addition to being the mandolinist, guitarist and vocalist for BLUEGRASS ETC, John was also the mandolinist with the internationally acclaimed band CALIFORNIA, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 1992, 1993 and 1994 Instrumental Band of the Year. (See the cover story in the August 1992 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine). John’s musical performances have led him throughout the U.S. and Canada, Europe and Japan, as well as into the studio doing sessions for other artists. He does radio and television commercials, movie sound tracks including "Blaze" for Touchstone Pictures, "El Diablo" for HBO, "Christmas in Connecticut" in which he also appeared and "The Spitfire Grill" for Hallmark Hall Of Fame. John also recorded the soundtrack for, and appeared in the CBS Television Special "The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies" in a four piece band along with Roy Clark, Byron Berline and Earl Scruggs. He recently recorded a Grammy nominated album with Byron Berline, Vince Gill, Bill Bryson, Dennis Caplinger, Rick Cunha and Jann Browne, and another with Mike Oldfield of "Tubular Bells" fame. He has just completed a TV commercial for Cingular Wireless along with Dennis Caplinger, Bill Bryson, Herb Pedersen, Kenny Blackwell and Sara Watkins that is currently airing nation wide. John was featured on the cover of the May/June 1993 issue of Bluegrass Now Magazine, and is most recently featured on the cover of the May/June 1999 issue of Flatpick Guitar Magazine.

Dennis Caplinger: Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Dennis Caplinger is one of the most sought after studio musicians in California and often travels to Nashville, Tennessee to do sessions. He is currently under contract with Network Productions of San Diego, Ca. recording numerous television and radio commercials that air nation-wide, as well as writing and recording music for their extensive music library – one of the largest in the world. He is also a producer of CMH Record’s popular "pickin’ on " series. His movie soundtrack credits include "Back to the Future III", "El Diablo" and "Rio Diablo" among others. Dennis’ playing is regularly featured on the sound track of the new Warner Bros. Cartoons "Pinky and the Brain" and "Histeria", as well as on "The Simpsons" and on recent commercials for "New York Life", and "Discover Card" featuring John Lithgow (that’s Dennis playing the banjo). He has just completed a TV commercial for Cingular Wireless along with John Moore, Bill Bryson, Herb Pedersen, Kenny Blackwell and Sara Watkins that is currently airing nation wide. His banjo playing can be heard on the recent Grammy nominated album "A Fiddle and a Song" along with Vince Gill, Byron Berline, John Moore and Bill Bryson. He is a regular in the Country Music Association Awards Show band, and has just finished recording with Rita Coolidge for her new album. Dennis is a frequent contributor to Banjo Newsletter and can be seen on the cover of the October 1999 issue of Bluegrass Now Magazine which contains a feature article on him.

Bill Bryson: Bill Bryson is one of the legendary bass players of the L.A. country / bluegrass music scene, and has been held in high esteem for the last 30 years. He was a founding member of the DESERT ROSE BAND and the LAUREL CANYON RAMBLERS, and has toured extensively with Dan Fogelberg, Chris Hillman (of THE BIRDS), Bernie Leadon (of THE EAGLES) and the BLUEGRASS CARDINALS. Bill has recorded with Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Glen Campbell, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Vince Gill, Emmy Lou Harris and The Oak Ridge Boys to name a few. He has won two Grammys, and has been nominated numerous times for the Academy of Country Music’s Bass Player of the Year award. He has just completed a TV commercial for Cingular Wireless along with Dennis Caplinger, John Moore, Herb Pedersen, Kenny Blackwell and Sara Watkins that is currently airung nation wide.Award. His credits also include featurse films such as "The Long Riders", "Cannery Row" and "Bound for Glory", as well as numerous television and radio commercials.