The Rarely Herd
The Pride of Ohio's Bluegrass Fans

This article ran in the Summer 2005 Issue of the Bluegrass Journal

Written by David Russell • All Rights Reserved by the Author, July 2005
Reprint Rights Available by Contacting the Author or The Bluegrass Journal Editor

Ohio has been blessed with some great bluegrass bands, and the fans are some of the most loyal youÕll ever meet. The Rarely Herd is certainly a favorite in the great state of Ohio, yet theyÕve gained a significant following throughout the bluegrass world at large.

The band got its start in 1989, and has gained significant attention with some very fine CDs that will leave you wanting more. They have a great balance between tradition bluegrass numbers and original material written by band members Jeff Weaver, Jim Stack, Calvin Leport, and Dan Brooks. Jim Stack spoke of his love for traditional bluegrass, yet he believes that the newer sound in bluegrass has its place as well. ÒBluegrass music has got to go somewhere, and itÕs true that the younger people are not as attracted to the more traditional sound. If we donÕt get more kids involved, the music will not grow in popularity.Ó

The most impressive thing about the Rarely Herd is that they have achieved the popularity of a full-time band with members who have day jobs. This is not always the easiest task, but more than one band has managed to pull it off. Remember the Seldom Scene? They were professional musicians who held days jobs as well. J. D. Crowe managed to work a job with the U. S. Postal service while maintaining his status as an internationally renowned banjo master. All this to say how impressive it is that the Rarely Herd has accomplished so much professionally for not being a full-time band. For all those who think it canÕt be done, think again.

The Herd has received numerous awards including the SPBGMA Grand Master Gold Award, which is an award for being voted Entertaining Band of the Yearâ for 10 consecutive years. In 1993 and 1995 Guitar player and vocalist, Jim Stack, has received the SPBGMA Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Yearâ award, and in 1994 and 1995, the SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year. Bass player/vocalist Jeff Weaver has received the SPBGMA National Entertainer of the Yearâ award in 1997 and 2000, and the same in 1992, 1993, and 1994 at the SPBGMA Midwest Awards convention. The Herd has also been nominated for the GMA Dove Awards in 1998 for their gospel album ÒWhat About HimÓâ the 1994 the IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year, and the 1997 IBMA Gospel Recording of the Year. An impressive track record to-say-the least.

The Rarely Herd continues to push on with great sounding bluegrass and plans on producing more quality recordings. Their latest CD, Roundup: Volume Iâ is a compilation of their most popular songs (and most requested) . Jim Stack mentioned that they were planning to release a second volume calledâ Gospel Roundupâ sometime in the near future. This is sure to be every bit as good as the first volume. Current members of the Herd are Jim Stack (guitar/vocals), Jeff Weaver (bass/vocals), Dan Brooks (dobro/vocals), Calvin Leport (banjo/vocals), and Jeff Hardin (fiddle/vocals).

On August 19th and 20th, the Herd will be hosting the New Beginnings Festival at the Ross County Fairgrounds in Chillicothe, OH. For more information you can contact Jim Stack at (740) 591-0857, or email, rarelyherd@juno.com . Be sure to stop by the HerdÕs web site to check out their performance schedule or perhaps purchase some impressive Herd CDs and merchandise.

The Rarely Herd

P.O. Box 5638
Athens, Ohio 45701
Email: RarelyHerd@juno.com
Website: www.TheRarelyHerd.com
For Booking Information (740) 591-0857