The Band

Kensington HillbillysMeet the Kensington Hillbillys...

Steve Ketchen

Lead Vocal, Acoustic Guitar

  • started this Hillbilly conglomerate 10 years ago;
  • electrician by trade, but like Willie Nelson or Mike Weir, would rather play music or golf for a living;
  • has two cool cats, Min and Choochee;
  • Chicago Black Hawk fan (huh?) since Christ was a cowboy.

Mikey McCallum

Telecaster, Backing Vocal

  • his distinctive playing style and tone is a cornerstone of the Hillbillys' sound;
  • one of the founding members of Kensington Hillbillys;
  • plays guitar in Toronto rock 'n' roll four-piece, Dodge Fiasco;
  • enjoys all types of sporting activities, and even beat Steve at golf once.

Mike Ryan

Telecaster, Mandolin, Backing Vocal

  • another founding memember of the Hillbillys;
  • took a few years sabbatical a while back and roamed British Columbia;
  • like Roy Clark, can play anything with strings;
  • loves bluegrass, John Prine and the Vancouver Canucks;
  • has never beaten Steve at golf, but has beaten him a few times on the 8-ball table.

Rose Bolton

Fiddle

  • holds a Bachelor of Music (Theory & Composition) degree from the University of Western Ontario;
  • holds a Masters degree in Musical Composition from McGill University;
  • is a member of the Canadian Electronic Ensemble;
  • plays a mean jig or reel;
  • has recently composed a new piece for Tapestry New Opera Works' 'Opera To Go' which runs from March 1-17 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, The Distillery District, Toronto.

Pete Lambert

Drum Kit, Backing Vocal

  • plied his musical trade in England for many years with The Trojans and Lash Lariat;
  • returned to Toronto in the mid 90's and played with seminal Toronto roots band Crybaby;
  • owns a vinyl record collection of over 5000 LP's;
  • love the Toronto Maple Leafs and London Knights;
  • coined the phrase "right-onski."

Matt McQuaid

Fender Bass

  • relocated to Toronto from P.E.I. at the turn of the century;
  • plays with Matthew Barber as a member of the Union Dues;
  • hasn't played Steve in golf yet;
  • loves fish 'n' chips, Gene MacLellean and NCAA basketball (not necessarily in that order).

Stew Crookes

Pedal Steel Guitar

  • relocated to Toronto from Winnipeg a few years back;
  • professional sound engineer, available for all your recording needs;
  • recently retired from the investment-banking industry... sorry BMO;
  • has a really cool dog, Leroy.