Buddy Merriam: Bio

Buddy Merriam - Mandolin/MC/band leader

Born 10/7/52 in Hartford, Connecticut, he formed Buddy Merriam and Back Roads in 1980 out of his love and respect for traditional Bluegrass music. He became close friends with the Father of Bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, and got to learn and eventually perform with him. Buddy brought Back Roads down to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to perform a few times which is no minor accomplishment for a New York area mandolin player! They've also performed at the Grand Opening of the BLUEGRASS MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME and Country Music's Fan Fair in Nashville, TN. The group has played at most of the Northeast Bluegrass Festivals (including Grey Fox &Podunk) and at Long Island venues like Hecksher Park in Huntington, Bald Hill Cultural Center, Agawam Park in Southampton, and concerts for LITMA, Huntington Folk Music Society and the Museums at Stony Brook Folk & Fiddle Festival. They were also featured at the International Bluegrass Music Association's WORLD OF BLUEGRASS SHOW in Owensboro, KY and Fan Fest in Louisville in 10/04. In Nov. of 2004 & 2007 the band did a successful tour of Ireland. Featured in Flatpicking Magazine, Mandolin Magazine, Bluegrass Unlimited, CMT's "Bluegrass Sound", WKET TV, Independent Films; "Bluegrass Journey", "Bobs Rolling Reefer", The Wes Houston Show, Local publications; Newsday, North Shore Sun. Buddy has 6 CD's released on Lily Pad Records and a book of 30 original mandolin tunes (Back Roads Mandolin) newly released in 2011 with TAB. He host's the weekly Blue Grass Time radio show on WUSB 90.1 FM in Stony Brook, NY. Buddy’s 2009 Release, “Buddy Merriam-Back Roads Mandolin” features 14 of his original mandolin tunes; bluegrass, waltzs, gypsy jazz and some contemporary interpretation of his very original style. He has composed 100's of instrumentals presently being transcribed and recorded. Buddy is proud that the year 2012 marks his 32nd year heading his band.

Kathy DeVine, The Sound Beach Songbird - guitar, lead & harmony vocals

Born and raised a native of Coram, LI, New York, Kathy's mother Pat Bonhote was a singer guitar player in a Long Island based Country/Western band back in the 1950's and 60's. Kathy was only 6 years old when Pat died tragically in an auto accident but her voice and the sounds of the music remained with Kathy all her life.

She came upon Buddy Merriam & Back Roads in 2001 and was taken by the sound and energy of the music, picked up her guitar and pressed on learning all she could about the history & players of the music.  The band brought her on board in 2006 & 2007, appears as a special guest on Buddy's CD "Live at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall" and now Kathy has taken a place once again in this season's lineup.

She is strongly influenced by Buddy's original tunes, Bill Monroe, Red Allen, Gloria Belle, Delia Belle, Mac Wiseman and Hazel Dickens.

Carlos Cordero - Double Bass/vocals/harmony

Growing up in a musical family in Massapequa Park, LI, NY, Carlos has always been surrounded by all styles of music. Being involved over the years in the Long Island music scene, this has proved invaluable. After settling on both the electric bass & Double bass in his teens, Carlos has played in many diverse acts such as The Danny Langdon Band, Randy & The Rainbows, The Prowlers & Double Dose.

 After taking some time away from music Carlos answered a Craigslist ad for a bluegrass bass player for a local jam a year ago. Little did he know what direction it would take him. Having no experience in bluegrass he showed up at the jam to try his hand at this, to him, new style of music. (Ironically, it was on Sept. 13 2010, Bill Monroe’s Birthday!) By the end of the night he was hooked, the music itself, the sheer musicianship & above all the camaraderie of the musicians themselves had a huge impact. 

With the help & tutelage of the East Meadow musicians & members of the BCLI, Carlos immersed himself the music & the history of bluegrass, absorbing anything that he could use to develop a voice in the style. Listening & learning from the music of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs to modern day bands such as Union Station, Infamous Stringdusters & The Boxcars. Drawing upon the influences of such players as Mike Bubb, Marshall Wilborn, Missy Raines, Barry Bales, & “Cousin” Jake Tullock, Carlos looks to hold the foundation firm for Buddy & the band going into the future.

 The singing was all Buddy’s idea…..

 Carlos has also taken up the banjo to relax, much to the chagrin of his wife, dog & cat.

Jack Gabis - Lead guitar, vocals, harmony

 Jack was born in Brooklyn, NY.  A self-taught musician with a strong family influence;  father played ukulele, mother played piano and his four brothers all sing and play music. You may catch Jack with them in the LI music scene as The Gabis Brothers band.

     Growing up in the music he was influenced by The Beatles, The Byrds, Irish and American folk music. It’s plain to hear by his lead playing that he was mentored by the sounds of Clarence White and James Taylor.

    Jack plays a Takamine Model EF-340 (yes, the no longer manufactured “Martin look-alike “ model from the 70’s) and used D’Addario EXP 13’s, tuners and accessories.

     Jack  joined up with Buddy last summer on a tip from a music colleague and is Buddy ever pleased to have a lead played with such style and taste as Jack!  We are glad to have him on board in this season’s lineup.