The Green Apple Bluegrass Band was born in 2003 from open jams at a local coffee shop in Appleton, WI. The music clicked the first time together, and the group has since become a favorite bluegrass band in the area. We changed our name to Mudd Creek in February of '04
Steve NeSmith - Banjo
Steve started playing the banjo twenty years ago in upstate South Carolina. He bought his banjo before he was married, while he was still the only one to convince. Steve formed a bluegrass/gospel band in South Carolina called Carolina Tradition who played at local churches and were regulars at Clyde's Auction Barn. Steve moved to Appleton in the summer of 2002, and enjoys Scruggs style picking and old time gospel music.
Chuck Thomas - Mandolin and Harmony Vocal
Chuck has played Banjo, Guitar, and Mandolin for 30 years in bluegrass groups in Wisconsin and Oklahoma. He played banjo with the group Pecan Creek in Muskogee Oklahoma, and currently plays banjo, mandolin and bouzouki with Laughing Whitefish, a local Wisconsin folk music group, as well as his church folk group. Chuck is also engineering and recording the band's first CD.
Peter Bartman - Bass and Harmony Vocal
Peter Bartman lists music (after his wife) as his major passion. He has been performing professionally since 1987 with a variety of bands ranging from a 1960's style folk music group, Crystal River Trio, to an Irish pub band, Celtic Knot. His love of bluegrass dates back to the 1970's. He now relishes the opportunity to turn his talents to the driving upbeat rhythms of the bluegrass sounds of Mudd Creek.
Keith Krisher - Guitar and Lead Vocal
Keith inherited his taste in music from his mother who would play guitar and sing Jimmie Rodger's and Carter Family songs. Keith took a real interest in Doc Watson and Tony Rice in the late 1970's and has been hooked on bluegrass since. Keith joined Green Apple Folk Music Society around 1990 and through it has made many friends in acoustic folk music. It was at a Green Apple Hoot that he made his first stage appearance before anyone other than family. Keith enjoys the band interaction and performing bluegrass and old time gospel music.