Green Mountain Bluegrass Band

Formed in 2006, the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band is a combination of some familiar faces in the Northwest’s music scene. Although a fairly new configuration, the members of the band have played bluegrass together for over a decade. A band formed of friendships and forged musical journeys; it’s no mystery why these guys are having so much fun performing on stage. Seasoned veterans, champion pickers, and experienced showmen, the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band offers audiences tight vocal harmonies, rock-solid instrumentals, and a musical dynamism which coalesces into a signature “high lonesome sound”, the quality of which is rarely found in a regional band.
A little bit about the members...

Dennis Berck - Rhythm Guitar/lead & harmony vocals ~ Dennis hails from Omaha, Nebraska, and currently calls Eugene, his home. He has an eclectic musical background that encompasses rock & roll and jazz. Dennis is a veteran of the Knott Brothers, The Berck-Pearce Band, and McKenzie Crossing. Dennis aptly sings tenor, high baritone, and lead in the ensemble; he can sing harmony to dog whistle! Dennis’ strong rhythm guitar and superb singing are an integral part of this band’s unique sound. Dennis repairs fretted instruments for a living. Every now and then, Dennis will pop into the Tuesday night bluegrass jam at Sam Bond's Garage.

Michael Bray - Acoustic Bass/harmony vocals ~ Mike was born and raised in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and presently is living in Eugene. Mike comes from a family of musicians. His grandpa and dad were plectrum banjo players and were musical influences on Mike during his younger years. Those family influences are what drew Mike into acoustic music. He toured the road as a bass player with Warner recording artist “Alexis” for a year and played for a number of years with a local Eugene, OR, country band called “Bump in the Road.” Mike keeps a steady beat for the band with his rock solid bass playing. Mike is the gracious host at one of Eugene’s local sports bars when he’s not out performing with the band.
Gary Dunbar - Lead/Rhythm Guitar/lead & harmony vocals ~ Gary originally hails from Central Michigan, but has made Eugene his home since 2001. Coming from a musical family, he grew up around music and it has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. Gary, who also performed in “McKenzie Crossing,” is a multi-instrumentalist, not to mention the fabulous job he does singing lead, tenor, and baritone. He holds a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Oregon and has taught music privately and at Lane Community College. Gary took FIRST place at the 2006 Flatpicking Competition in Cashmere, WA, which consisted of finalists from Oregon, California, Alaska and Washington. He is one of those young veterans who is playing and performing music well beyond his years. Gary teaches at a local alternative high school and runs an organic educational farm in Eugene. He is also the co-host for the weekly Tuesday night bluegrass jam at Sam Bond's Garage in Eugene.

Chuck Holloway - 5-String banjo/lead & harmony vocals ~ Chuck (nicknamed "chainsaw" because of his aggressive playing style) was born and raised in Southern California. He moved to Oregon in 1985. His earliest recollections of bluegrass music stem from listening to WSM and the Grand Ol’ Opry back in the 50’s when his family lived in Kansas. Chuck is a multi-instrumentalist who started playing guitar in the 60’s, but is currently most comfortable playing the 5 string banjo. He is a former president of the Oregon Bluegrass Association. Chuck’s traditional bluegrass music roots keep the band steeped in a traditional sound. He teaches guitar, mandolin, and 5 string banjo at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, and he teaches 5-string banjo at Lane Community College in Eugene. Twelve years ago, Chuck founded the Tuesday night bluegrass jam at Sam Bond's Garage. You can see him there, picking away on his five string, most Tuesday nights.

Tyler Lynn - Mandolin/lead & harmony vocals ~ Tyler is also a native Oregonian. Born and raised in the Eugene area, Tyler calls Roseburg his home. He started playing music at a young age, and is another one of those “young” veterans. Tyler knows how to play the bluegrass music the way it’s supposed to be played, playing well beyond his years with drive and soul. Tyler was a founding member of the “The Cascade Colonels.” He sings lead, and baritone in the Green Mountain Bluegrass Band. Tyler is a multi-instrumentalist. He also teams up with his wife to perform gospel music in the “Lynn Family Band.” Tyler is a faculty member of Roseburg High School where he teaches Spanish.