An avid guitarist for years, Jerry began playing mandolin about 10 years ago after successfully building one. He currently builds and repairs stringed instruments and restores vintage instruments.

These are some of the instruments Jerry built.

Jerry's played in several acoustic bands in Oregon and Idaho and enjoys a variety of acoustic music including Irish, traditional old-time, bluegrass, western, Appalachian fiddle tunes, gospel and modern folk. So much music, so little time!

Randy Helton was born in 1956, the son of a classic, cartoon quality Kentucky hillbilly father and a highly intelligent Idaho farm girl, Randy spent the first forty years of his life dissing country music and rolling his eyes in embarrassment at his father's musical efforts. His dad only played three chords, sang crazy old mountain songs and yodeled like a demented hoot owl. (Gawd, how could he do that in front of people??). And this at every opportunity, anywhere, any time in front of anybody.

Then, on a whim the summer before he turned 41, Randy bought a guitar. To help mollify his wife when he had to tell her of the purchase, he signed up for six months of beginner lessons and vowed to follow through.

When he had a hand full of chords and knew the names of the strings, he discussed musical styles with the teacher and was introduced to flatpicking and bluegrass. Armed with books and practice CDs and an introduction to the Idaho Bluegrass Association's beginners jams, he set about learning to play in earnest.

In 2003, after a couple of years of closet picking and jamming with friends, Randy decided it was time to try singing. The first song was the hardest; keeping the guitar strumming after opening the mouth to sing seemed impossible. But persistence paid off and three songs were learned. Upon discovering Randy's new "talent", his jamming pals orchestrated the next step. Forced at mandolin point on to the stage at the Council Mountain Music Festival's open mike sessions, Randy fought down panic, sweating and a stomach rebellion to sing for the first time to an audience. The audience voted Randy the prize for best guitar player, (a plastic microwave egg cooker and a pair of pliers). The rush of pleasure at not passing out, the kindness of the audience and the thrill of successfully performing went right to Randy's head. He immediately went about learning as many songs as he could with visions of stardom dancing before his eyes. Randy's head has since returned to nearly it's original size but his commitment to developing his singing and picking skills and his desire to perform and please listeners is stronger than ever.

His only regret as he sings crazy old mountain songs and attempts to yodel is that his dad didn't live to see him discover the joy of family tradition and music shared with friends. Daddy's spirit accompanies him with every note.

Randy lives with his wife, Diane, whom he adores, and cats Lucky and Rosebud, in Nampa, Idaho. The father of two, grandfather of four, he dreams of the day his younguns' quit rolling their eyes and join him in singing some crazy old mountain songs.

Rand Thompson was not born into the proverbial musical family, but has stubbornly persisted none the less.

A child of the 60's folk boom, singing and playing the guitar was a passion without focus and he wandered aimlessly until his waning enthusiasm was spurred on by a revelation of country roots music. Jug band, blues, jazz, Celtic, and especially bluegrass stirred the not so giant sleeper.

~ LIFE'S TOO SHORT FOR COMMERCIAL MUSIC ~

While cutting his rhythm chops with jazz friends he was asked to join Finger Pickin/' Good, starting a life long romance with bluegrass. After the members of that band moved on to greener pastures, he was the founding member of the Basin Boys before moving to Idaho, where he crossed paths with Jerry Firth. The two of them were involved in several projects together including the Bogus Creek Band and Northwest Passage. Rand went on to play with Dawgwood and is now a proud member of High Desert.

A penchant for old school craftsmanship (he did survive the 60's) and instrument repair led to the building of his 1st mandolin. He built it because he could. The only problem is, if folks see it they want to hear it. He's working on that part now...

By the grace of God he spends his time away from the band pursuing his repairing and building interests at his home in the hills above Horseshoe Bend, loving his wife, his two kids and his five grandkids.

Robin Davis Harren Fiddle

Robin Davis recently crossed the Great Divide between Classical Music and Bluegrass. Although a lifelong folkie this is her first adventure with the improvisational challenge of Bluegrass. She is luvin’ it…. especially hanging out with her colorful new buddies in the High Desert Band. When not spending hours with the Amazing Slow-Downer she delights in the exploits of her children, Laura, a classical violinist also, and her spirited twins Sean and Nora. Robin is a equally thrilled to cross back over the divide and count herself as a 1st violinist of the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra. Her husband Patrick provides further inspiration as a member of the Hokum Hi-Fliers and Giant Leprechauns.

Mike Bond Banjo

Donna Bond Bass