Rich Simmons John Moulton Ben Smith Rick Mifflin Greg "Iggie" Tiemann Bio: Born of a deep love of American acoustic music, Prairie Soul is now in its fourth year of performing in and around the Saint Louis area. Whether at a winery, an art fair, or your neighborhood tavern, Prairie Soul's blend of bluegrass, newgrass, and swing is sure to leave your feet tapping. Played only on acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and dobro, these songs are a slice of Americana old and new. Along with an expanding repertoire of traditional bluegrass tunes, Prairie Soul features music from some of the heroes of newgrass like Sam Bush and David Grisman, up and coming bluegrass bands like the Infamous Stringdusters and the Steeldrivers, and growing selection swing-oriented tunes as well as including a few jazz standards. Ben and Rich handle most of the lead vocals, but new member Rick lends his strong, traditional voice to a growing number of songs. The interplay of the two-part harmony lines as well as the three-part songs adds a memorable touch to the blend of this unique instrumentation. Prairie Soul features a some hot playing too. Whether it's a sensitive support line or a beautiful solo, Ben's fiddle finds the sweet spot. John flatpicks his guitar or mandolin with a fire that helps ignite many of Prairie Soul's songs. His unique style, which draws influence from Tony Rice, fits nicely in the stew of styles Prairie Soul features. Our dobro player, Rick, is heavily influenced by Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes and Duane Allman, and those influences show on the slow, pretty tunes and the barnburners as well. Rich adds to the mix with a rock-steady rhythm guitar, a melodic mandolin style, and occasional harmonica. Dennis' jazz roots have introduced a unique and compelling feel to the upright bass groove. Rich Simmons formed the band in 2006 with John Moulton. Rich has played around the region as a songwriter for nearly two decades and has opened for artists such as Buddy Mondlock, Jonathan Byrd, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys, Noah Earle, and Patsy O'Brien. He is currently working on his second original CD which features several members of Prairie Soul. More information about Rich can be found at richsongs. John's early guitar playing was influenced by the Grateful Dead, CSNY, Dylan and The Band but, after a pilgrimage to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, his interests have been consumed by the likes of Tony Rice, Bryan Sutton, David Grisman, Sam Bush, and other similar players. He has since added a mandolin to his musical arsenal as well. Ben's background as a violinist/fiddler includes membership in All-State youth orchestras, gigs with local acts performing everything from bluegrass to rock to swing and years as a violin and fiddle instructor. His heroes include Mark O'Connor, Aubrey Haynie, and Andy Leftwich, all of whom he's had the opportunity to learn from at Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camp. In addition to his fiddle duties, Ben shares the lead and harmony vocals in Prairie Soul. One of our new bandmates is Rick Mifflin. Rick brings a ton of experience to the group as a longtime member of one of St. Louis' most progressive bluegrass bands, the Smokehouse Allstars. Rick said recently, "Joining Prairie Soul feels like coming home, this music is where my heart is." Joining most recently is upright bassist Greg "Iggie" Tiemann, one of Rick's former bandmates in the Smokehouse Allstars. Playing professionally since 1970, has played in various bands in the region playing guitar, mandolin, and bass in styles as diverse as jazz, rock, R&B, and bluegrass. His credentials include playing with The Unknown, The Light Steppin’ Boys (on mandolin, banjo and fiddle), and as a founding member of The Smokehouse Allstars (winners of the 2000 Slammy Award for best roots band). He’s played at venues thoughout Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and Arkansas and has judged fiddle and banjo contests at fairs and festivals in Illinois and Missouri. In additon to Prairie Soul, Iggie plays in Yidn, a klezmer band, and Treif, an eclectric, electric band that Iggie describes as “Jewish Hillbillie Surfer Swing Music”. Prairie Soul has more experience than Lincoln has logs. Each member has worked in bands or performed solo steadily over the last 20 plus years. Prairie Soul will bring a fresh set of tunes and a professional edge to any event. Note: Prairie Soul performs original material at select gigs. With three songwriters, the original sets are varied in style, tempo, and subject. The band is available for opening slots at concerts as well as playing cover material at other events. Band Line Up: Rich Simmons: Guitar, Mandolin, Harmonica, Vocals John Moulton: Guitar, Mandolin Ben Smith: Fiddle, Guitar, Vocals Rick Mifflin: Dobro, Vocals Greg "Iggie" Tiemann: Upright Bass