Walt Richards

News

While “Western Tales” was the last ‘Quatro’ CD for Trails & Rails, an even more exciting group has emerged - the Trails & Rails Trio, featuring the amazing bass player, song writer, solo and harmony singer, whistler, humorist, Mike Craig, along with Walt and Paula.

                                                                                                              photo: Bob Page
Mike Craig, Walt and Paula

 

As noted in the About Walt section, Walt and Mike taught and also played together many years ago - then Mike moved to Florida. He returned to San Diego in late 2010 and was able to fill in while Trails & Rails bass player, Pete Varhola, was sidelined with medical issues. Since then, Pete has retired from performing for the time being. While we miss Pete's good nature and steady bass playing, we feel fortunate that Mike moved back to the area when he did.

Walt and Mike have come up with some astounding Banjo-Bass instrumentals and breaks. While they have to be seen to be believed, they can be heard on the 2012 T&R CD, “Off the Beaten Path” and the 2015 CD release "Gatherin' Strays".

Besides instrumental wizardry, the trio harmonies are smoothly blended. And the signature variety of the T&R repertoire continues.

Currently, Walt is in the final phases of finishing a new solo guitar CD. Look for it in early 2016.

 

                                                                                                                               photo: Dennis Anderson

Mike Craig, Paula Strong and Walt Richards
at the Sam Hinton Folk Festival 2011.