The Ghost Riders capture a broad range of music, featuring originals from their four contemporary albums as well as contempory classics. The Ghost Riders show lifts your spirit with drivin’ "Hardcore Country" music with a twang, that makes listeners of all ages want to get out and dance and have fun.With over 16 years together, they do an average of 130 shows a year and enjoy the opportunity to share their common music experience in many venues across the surrounding countryside, such as Concerts, Festivals, Fairs, Carnivals, Fundraisers, Dance Halls, Clubs, Village Gazebos, Casinos, Roadhouses, and the list keeps growing.
"Wild" Bill McDonald
585-343-1929
billmcdonald50@gmail.com
"Mild" Bill Pitcher
585-344-0311
Wild & Mild Music
P.O. Box 1492
Batavia, NY 14020
Fax: 585/343-1929
"Wild" Bill McDonald - vocal, acoustic guitar, harmonica
One of the dynamic duo who comprise the business organization of the band "Wild & Mild Music". He is also the main songwriter in the group. At this point Wild has been writing and performing his songs for over 35 years, and still the new tunes keep coming.
"Mild" Bill Pitcher - vocals, bass guitar
"Mild" was not always "mild" but time ages some things for the better. Growing up around a strong country music influence playing with his father and brother before even reaching teenage. Now the elder of the group he claims credit for many musical memories.
"Mild" has shared the stage with Chubby Checker, Dr. Hook and his Medicine Show, Rhonda Vincent, Allison Krause and Union Station. Member: National Assoc. of Songwriters.
Jimmy "Steel" Duvall - pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar, dobro
Being the baby in the group is the only thing Jimmy comes last at. His unique style and great playing ability puts him in the middle of any musical crowd. In fact it earned him the label "Steel". His love of country music comes through loud & clear.
Jimmy has shared the stage with, Charlie Daniels, Eddie Rabbitt, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, and many more. Member: International Pedal Steel Guitar Association.
"Big" Bob Norton - drums
Bob is "Big" in more ways than one. He is a big music lover, supporter and performer. He has a willingness big as Texas, but especially he has the, "big" and solid, beat that this band relies on. His feel for any song the band chooses to do, shows the taste and touch he brings.
Bob has shared the stage with, Tracy Byrd, Ricky Van Shelton, and is an old "high school friend" with fellow drummer John Dittrich of Restless Heart.
"Greg Houseknecht, aka Gridder
Greg Houseknecht, aka Gridder was Batavia born and raised. Picked up the guitar at a young age but couldn't stand to learn how to read music. Picked it up in high school for a short period and then my freshman year in college at the University of Louisville Ky. picked up again and this time hung on to it. I moved to San Diego in April of 79 and remained there for 29 years. I did return to Batavia in 1992 or there abouts where I stayed for 14 months before returning to California. During that period I started playing at a bar named Confetti's on Main Street. Slowly but surely friends of mine started coming in and jammin. Before you know it we had a little band together and Billy Mac got us a gig at the South Byron Volunteer Fire Dept. where we had a name the band contest and thus the "Ghost Riders "name was born. There certainly has been some fine guitar players to fill the slot since those first days but I'm happy things have come full circle and I'm back hangin out with guys I really like and having the opportunity to do what I love.