Ernie Sykes - vocals & bass
Born November 13, 1960, Patchogue NY. Started professional career at age 17,with his dad's band, The Sykes Boys, which also included Buddy Merriam. Later joined the Bluegrass Cardinals which led to his becoming established in the bluegrass field. Since then, Ernie has worked with such greats as Don Stover, The Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Don Reno and Bill Monroe. He was also a founding member of the group Livewire along with Scott Vestal, Robert Hale, and Wayne Benson. Ernie's diverse musical interests have led him well beyond the parameters of bluegrass. In 1999, he was featured on three movie soundtracks, and was honored with a Grammy citation for participating on a recording with Marty Stuart and Earl Scruggs. In 2001 Ernie was called to The Cayman Islands to help record an album of island music. 2001 also saw the release of his first solo LP, COUNTRY JUKEBOX on his own Old Hickory label.
Jerry Oland, The Putnam Valley Flash! - banjo
Jerry Oland has been playing bluegrass banjo in the Hudson Valley for more than 40 years, drawing on the sounds of Bill Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs. He attended his first bluegrass festival at Watermelon Park, Berryville, VA over the Labor Day weekend in 1968. After that he attended Bill Monroe's Bean Blossom Festival 4 years in a row from 1970 through 1973. Jerry brings an enormous amount of experience to the band, and his strong rhythmic sense helps define Back Roads' tight banjo groove. He has appeared numerous bands including The Arm Bros., Wheelhoss, The Millstone Valley Boys, Wildcat Creek, Out To Lunch, The Pep Boys, Bear Acker & Billings Gap, Stan Tyminski & Rustic Blue, and Buddy Merriam & Back Roads. Buddy & Jerry have played together since the 1970's and Jerry's banjo can be heard on Buddy Merriam & Friends "Acoustic American Music", It's Blue Grass Time, and Live At The Vail-Leavitt Music Hall CD's. Jerry also released an album on the Revonah label in 1977 titled "Jerry Oland - Banjo and Friends", since re-released on CD as Minor Accomplishment, and can also be heard on the Wildcat Creek-Live At The Chelsea House CD.
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. 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 became good friends, 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, appeared 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.
Bob Harris - Flatpicking Guitar
Bob Harris has played time and time again with Buddy for over 30 years. Guitar player with Vassar Clements.
His unique style of flatpicking earned him Guitar Player International Flatpicking Champion In 1992.
Listen for him on Buddy's 2005 "Live at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall" & 2009 "Back Roads Mandolin"
10/7/52 in Hartford, Connecticut 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 and 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, Nassau County Folk Festival, and the Museums at Stony Brook Folk and Fiddle Festival. They were also featured at the International Bluegrass Music Association's WORLD OF BLUEGRASS SHOW in Owensboro, KY and the Fan Fest in Louisville in 10/04. In Nov. of 2004 the band did a successful tour of Ireland. Featured in Flatpicking Magazine, 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) and also hosts 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. Buddy is proud that the year 2010 marks his 30th year heading his band.