Born in 1971

&

Continuing the Bluegrass Music Tradition in 2012

The Mountain State Bluegrass Express was originally formed in 1971 as a group that brought to their audiences the great Bluegrass Music of the 40’s & 50’s. The 2012 group brings all music fans the same great hard-driving Bluegrass Music of the past as well as fresh versions of modern favorites. The group always has new surprises that will certainly entertain grandparents, grandchildren and everybody in-between.

Present members of the group include:

Ed Hildebrand:

As a teenager, he played with a gospel group for approximately one year. He played in school orchestras throughout his school years.

After a break of fifteen years to start a family and establish his own business, Ed started playing again. During the last twenty years, he has played with the Evergreen Community Orchestra. Also, he has played in the “pit” orchestra for musical productions at the Parkersburg Actors Guild.

About two years ago, Ed became interested in bluegrass music. He started attending festivals. Participating in jam sessions, private lessons and clinics at the Augusta event have increased his interest.

It was not until Al Spencer talked with Ed at a bluegrass show (Ohio Valley University – Parkersburg, W. Va.), that he had any serious thoughts about officially entering into the world of “bluegrass fiddler.” Al and the other members of the Mountain State Bluegrass Express talked with Ed, discussing at length their willingness to work with him, that his fiddling dreams might become reality. Al stated, “Ed has only been with us a few months, but his willingness to learn and work hard has made him a valuable asset to the group.”

Ed is the owner of HILDEBRAND INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, an agency that specializes in life/health insurance brokerage and financial planning.

Ed and his wife, Sarah have been married for thirty-four years. They are the proud parents of four married children and seven grandchildren. Ed and Sarah reside in Parkersburg, W. Va.

Art was born in Ventura, California in 1945. His father was in The United States Navy Seabees located there. When he was two months old his mother returned with him to Parkersburg, West Virginia awaiting his fathers discharge. Art lived in the city of Parkersburg until he was four and then moved to a nearby farm where his 91 year old mother, a retired school teacher, lives today. This farm is the site for the well known 4^th of July Picking Party that he and band member Ed Hildebrand has held for a total of 12 years.

Art retired from GE Plastics near Parkersburg, West Virginia as their Quality Coordinator, in 2002, after 32 years of service.

Art has stated that three folks from that company encouraged him with his bluegrass music. These folks were, Darrel McCumbers, Ron Workman, & Dick Powell.

Arts first exposure to music was with school friends, The Daily Family, that were very good musicians. Later, the Pastor of the Red Hill, West Virginia E.U.B. Church, J. C. Foster Jr. worked with him on singing harmony in the youth choir. This youth choir traveled and sang for folks in the Wood County, West Virginia Area. Art still sings what he calls “Congregational Bass” in the Baptist Temple in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and works with the youth there teaching them old songs that he remembers when he was young.

Art was asked to become a member of The Mountain State Bluegrass Express in February of 2010. Arts long time ambition has been to play the upright Bass and sing. For 2011 Art has become the full time bass player while singing lead and harmony. The group heard about Art originally from Ed Hildebrand, our fiddle player, who has been his life long friend. Art has said that he is truly looking forward to the great times ahead being a part of the group.

Ron McCauley:

Ron’s writings of his musical involvement are as follows:

I was born and raised in Barbour County, WV, where I grew up in a country home filled with love and strong values.  I was always surrounded with music by many members of my family.  My father loves bluegrass and gospel music, and he has always been a great influence on my music.  We had many great times together as he taught me to play the guitar, when I was a youngster.  I was always a great Red Smiley fan and tried to use his example to play a solid smooth rhythm guitar.  My family really enjoyed singing and playing together in our home and on many occasions in our home church. My memory recalls the pleasurable times that we had singing in our car, as we traveled down the highway.  In my teenage years, I played guitar in my high school stage band. I learned a lot from the instructor that extended my guitar playing abilities into another style. 

In the early 1970s, I entered college, and it become necessary for me to work a lot to financially support my studies. For this period of time, I was extremely limited with time for music. I played some acoustic country music with friends in jam sessions and gatherings during my last year in college and a short time following college graduation. The new world of full time work, dating, and later, marriage, left no time for my music.  I still loved the music and would occasionally attend a bluegrass concert but stopped playing until 2003. This 2003 date marked a new beginning and passion for the music. At mid-year 2006, I was asked to join The Mountain State Bluegrass Express. Since that date, I have been having a great time.  This is my first experience as a member of a band, and I am learning daily! I presently play rhythm guitar and sing lead with the band, having aspirations of building my music experience with this group of fine musicians. I love this music called bluegrass with more passion than ever! 

In addition to my passion for bluegrass, I own and operate AMISH TRADITIONS in Clarksburg, WV, where I retail handcrafted, solid oak furniture. I also have "The Music Corner" at the same facilities where I promote bluegrass music by offering musical instruments, accessories, and bluegrass CDs.

Al Spencer:

Al was born in the hills of Tyler County, West Virginia, in 1942. Old Time and Gospel music surrounded him as a youngster. His parents, Harley & Ruth Spencer were involved in the entertainment business on radio, TV, music festivals, political shows, and more. They were known by two names in those days, “The Spencer Kids” when just the two performed, and “The Spencer Family Band” when others would join them.

Harley Spencer, Al’s father, was a great tenor banjo player that was twice the West Virginia State Banjo Champion. His mother was always by his father’s side playing really solid rhythm guitar. They played together for 50 years. Both passed away in 2001.

Al’s parents thoroughly enjoyed the music of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and would go to all shows that were within driving distance of their home. Al stated, “At a very early age, I was awestruck by the sound of Earl Scruggs playing banjo.” He has been working at “Scruggs Style” playing for nearly of 50 years. Also, it was stated that he still gets “goose bumps”, when he hears Earl Scruggs play.

Al is well-known today for his hard driving banjo style, lead singing, and harmony singing with other members of the group. It is really evident, when you watch him play, that he is a person who tremendously enjoys playing the banjo and singing.

Many folks have mentioned over the years that you never know which banjo Al is going to be playing during a performance. In the very early years of his playing, his primary banjo was a pre-war Epiphone Arch Top Recording “A” that he has related, “The sound of this banjo would drive a straw through a fence post.” In recent years, he plays older pre-war flatheads and his own custom banjos.

In the early seventies, Al was the inventor of the “Acoustic Fiberglass” banjo tone rim which is utilized in his custom series banjos. In 2003, his interests in “Acoustic Fiberglass” was expanded. His latest banjo tone rims and resonators are characterized by the tremendous properties of carbon fiber technology in their construction. He recently stated that the latest two banjo’s built in 2007 are the best banjo’s he has ever played.

In the spring of 2004, Al retired after 38 years as an Engineer with PPG Industries and began focusing on his bluegrass interests.