A LITTLE MORE ABOUT POTLUCK ................. 
The Potluck Ramblers
Jim Cowles, (Pronounced “Coles”) Guitar and Vocals,
Kyle Ellison, Banjo and Vocals,
Bob Bush, Bass
Barbara Friedland, Mandolin, Guitar and Vocals.
Performances are acoustic or with audio, whichever our audience prefers.
"Our band name is a great reference for playing a musical banquet, with something on the menu for everyone!"
Jim, a CLU & retired insurance executive, was once with the “Riverfront Ramblers,” a Louisville and New Albany based folk group, known for doing mostly sixties folk. The ability to sing high tenor, plus his overall vocal range, gives him a unique style. You can hear that sound when you listen to his original song - words and music by Jim: I'm Leavin' Mary Lou. An avid songwriter, Jim often pens songs and this one tells the real story of "Mary Lou" (originally depicted in the famous Ricky Nelson tune from the 60s). Jim, lead singer with Potluck, flat picks, finger picks & sometimes plays a 12-string guitar, as well as harmonica; but more than anything, he loves to sing either lead or harmony (either will do as long as he's singing). He is a wedding soloist on occasion, but the friendship and play with Potluck is his love! That's true harmony! And he loves to rib Kyle - he says "Kyle's the only banjo player I know who has all of his fingers."
Kyle, owner of Kentucky Spring, where he manufactures unique wood products, (www.kentuckyspring.net) is an accomplished banjo player, practicing several hours each day. His style and willingness to discuss “banjo,”quickly make him a crowd favorite. He plays with several bands, including a Civil War band and has also sat in at times with a local band called the "Bluezengrass." He's a regular with Amos Hopkins and the WhiteRussians, a Louisville Bluegrass Band. If you want to play music, call Kyle and he'll be right there. He doesn't need much to get him playing the banjo and he can be found doing just that several nights a week (and maybe a few days; he has a banjo in his office and his employees often hear him pickin' away). Take a listen to a traditional tune and you can hear his style: Breakin' it down. His cats have learned to accept his playing, but they mostly just hide when they see him going for his banjo. You can see more about that on our Banjo joke-page. Kyle's favorite joke? Why does a camper prefer a guitar over a banjo? Answer: The guitar burns longer (sorry Kyle, guitar jokes just don't work). Banjo players seem to have no sense of humor........
Bob, a retired draftsman by trade, is an outstanding musician, with a keen ear. He plays several instruments, including mandolin and guitar, but his job with Potluck is to keep the rest of the band in time and in line. More often than not, he has a hard time doing that, but he's a great bass player and all you have to do is follow his beat. He can pick out a melody on that old bass as well; take a listen to Fever (sung by our Barb Friedland) and listen to Bob's Bass solo. Bob is also an excellent carpenter and does projects for others from time to time. Now that he's "retired," he has become more active in that area. You may also see him in a "tech role," handling the sound for several musical events, including Kentucky homefront, Louisville's premier traditional music radio show, hosted by JohnGage. To top it off, Bob collects used cooking oil and converts it to diesel fuel for his Mercedes station wagon. You have probably have already concluded that Bob has a mind like a steel trap and we wholeheartedly agree (a few teeth missing in the trap. but it still works pretty well).
Barb, is also a talented visual artist. The Ramblers heard her perform at an “open mic” program at the Kentucky Theater in Louisville several years ago and immediately felt she would be a great addition to the band. Great harmonies have developed as a result and she does some super solo work as well. She's also an avid finger-picking guitarist and can really get rolling when she picks one up. But her true love is playing mandolin; she owns several and has become quite proficient on the instrument. As mentioned above, she has jumped into lead singing with both feet. Here's an example: Fever. Potluck is delighted to have her onboard. Barb is an employee of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, working with young adults and assisting the Pastor during Sunday services. She has even conducted a few Sunday morning services as well! Say "amen" for Barb!
Eddie, a Louisville Real Estate Broker and property evaluator, is the best harp player in the region and we feel so fortunate to have him join us. Anyone familiar with Louisville music will have seen Eddie playing with about every well know Louisville musician, including the late great Tim Krekel, who was a very close friend of Eddie's (Mickey Clark often waives Eddie onto the stage - he adds so much to anyone's performance). So, when Eddie's not selling real estate, you'll find him with his case of harps, looking for someone to play with. And, as you can see in the picture above, he also plays a mean dobro - that means he is one heck of a dobro player (he told Jim he enjoys playing with Potluck because "you do so many of the old songs I love"). Eddie is also a prankster and is always pulling a practical joke on somebody. And he is well connected in the music community - Sam Bush is a personal friend and during a recent gig with Potluck at Best Winery, Sam (also a pranskter) left a lengthy message on Eddie's phone, claiming to be someone else. Seems they are always looking to play a joke on each other and Eddie says they talk by phone at least once a week. Jim has dubbed Eddie, "Eddie Haskell," and in turn Eddie calls Jim, Wally. You can imagine how much fun this adds to the band and not only do we love it, our audiences love to hear us banter.
As mentioned on the Home Page, The original Ramblers met at a Potluck dinner, thus the name. Although their musical backgrounds vary, they have become close friends and creators of their own version of Bluegrass, Folk, Blues and a little of the old time Rock & Roll. Audiences really enjoy the old rock and roll favorites, like “Blue Moon,” “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” “I’m Walkin,” “Hello Mary Lou,” and many others from that era. Potluck does them in bluegrass style and has a blast with them. The band has even gotten into the old oldies, like "Sunny Side of the Street" and "I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter." It's all about having fun and being entertaining. Would you like to make your Wedding or Anniversay unique - something that only live music can bring?
The Potluck Ramblers may be your answer
Potluck is pleased to have performed at a number of weddings, wedding receptions and/or anniversaries
If you want instrumental music for your special event,
Or a band with vocals & instrumentals, includng fiddle,
Contact the Potluck Ramblers (references available)
AND... If you like Potluck's music, you can let us know by clicking: HERE We'll be happy add you to the Potluck e-mail list for future gig announcements
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Here's another tune from Jim:
Up on the roof 2.mp3 Jim, Vocal & Guitar - Words & Music, Carol King
One of Jim's favorites by Carol King - he also loves "Take good care of my baby," a Bobby Vee hit from the 60s that Carol co-wrote
WANT TO KEEP ON MOVIN?' 