he Nob Hill Boys are an established bluegrass unit whose commitment to tradition is clear in every aspect of their per- formances. This award-winning band has produced three CDs and entertained audiences all across the Midwest for the past six years in venues of all sizes from coffeehouses to festivals to a performance on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. The group's four fine singers take a traditional approach with a nod to the standard repertoire of the past, but also bringing obscure gems and fine original material to light. The Nob Hill Boys also are fortunate to feature some of the finest instru- mentalists in the Upper Midwest. Those of you looking for a hot banjo number, a driving fiddle breakdown or superb flat picking guitar will not be disappointed .

The "Boys" are proud to boast former Bill Monroe Bluegrass Boy, bassist and vocalist, Mark Hembree. Mark played with Big Mon for five years and can be heard on Monroe's classic instrumental album Master of Bluegrass. Hembree was a founding member of the popular Nashville Bluegrass Band as well bassist for a variety of recording sessions including the all-star album band Dreadful Snakes, which included Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas.

On banjo and vocals, Jon Peik brings over 20 years of experience playing bluegrass and gospel music. His creative approach to the five- string and his infectious smile provide a good time for all while he lays down a bedrock layer of rock-solid banjo.

Fiddler Paul Kienitz, steeped in the finest traditions of bluegrass fiddling, brings passion to the music and a broad repertoire of tunes to the band.

John Fabke, on mandolin and tenor vocals, also contributes some fine original material to the Nob Hilll Boys repertoire as well as the sky-high harmony singing so essential to the "high, lonesome sound" for which top-notch traditional bluegrass is known. Fabke also hosts and produces the popular Pastures of Plenty radio show on WORT 89.9 FM in Madison, Wisconsin.

Seth Foerster, of Hubertus, Wisconsin is the most recent addition to the Nob Hill Boys lineup. Seth is a very fine guitar player and singer and has been a member of a number of popular Milwaukee area bluegrass bands including most recently the Mil Town Ramblers