The Redlands Bluegrass Boys was formed in 1998 by a group of enthusiastic acoustic musicians based at the Redlands Modern Country Music Club.

The group includes Redland’s musicians Allen McMonagle (vocals, guitar, fiddle), Neil Wills (mandolin, guitar and vocals), Fred Hudson (banjo and vocals), Bill Turner (guitar and vocals) and Tom Stekinga (double bass and vocals). Together they perform a range of traditional bluegrass songs and instrumentals and demonstrate the tight vocal harmonies and acoustic instrumentals solos epitomised by this style of music.

Bluegrass music as a style began in the 1940s in Kentucky, USA. It was initially developed by the late Bill Monroe and became popular through it’s unique use of blended harmonies with and hard-driving acoustic instrumentals. It became popular through radio programs such as the Grand Ole Opry and was later to influence many of the 1960’s emerging popand rock artists such as Chuck Berry, the Everley Brothers and even the Beatles. A very popular early bluegrass track was the “Ballad of Jed Clampett”, recorded by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs as the theme song for the Beverly Hillbilly’s television show in the 1960s.

Redlands Bluegrass Boys have been an integral part in the organising and running of the annual Redlands Bluegrass Convention at Kindilan Convention Centre each July.

The band specialises in great vocal harmonies and they play a wide range of bluegrass influenced music and between them have been involved in many different forms of music including country, country rock and Australian bush bands.

Listen to Samples from the Redlands Bluegrass Boys CD

Band contacts Neil Wills 32069226
Allen McMonagle 33902066

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