Below at American Banjo Camp 2023 – Roger on mandolin with Gina Furtado (banjo) Mick Nicholson (bass) and Dale Adkins (guitar) Cold Frosty Morning
Â
Roger grew up in The Pacific Northwest in a family that enjoyed playing old-time and bluegrass music. His grandpas both were fiddle players and his grandma (on his dad’s side) had many of her own songs published. Roger’s parents, from Missouri and Nebraska were fairly solid musicians by way of tradition. Music was a big part of the family lifestyle. Music jams into the wee hours of the night were very common, Roger says he was shocked when he realized that wasn’t the norm. While a teenager he was performing with professional acts throughout the Northwest. He was soon playing in the local clubs but had to get a work permit from the liquor control board because he was still under age. Rural Delivery, a bluegrass band Roger formed back in 1977, is still a working band today!
Roger and Mark O’Connor grew up in the same area of Washington State so they met frequently at local festivals and fiddle shows. In 1976 they got together performing several shows as a duo at local fairs and colleges. Encouraged by Mark’s mom among others, Roger entered and won the 1979 National Flatpick Guitar Championship and placed in the mandolin semifinals.
Shortly after that Roger joined the The Shoppe, a seven piece Texas based Country touring band. He toured nationally for two years on electric/acoustic guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, regularly opening for Country music legends including Merle Haggard, Doug Kershaw, and Emmylou Harris.
Roger settled back to the Pacific Northwest and formed the duo Double Stop with his former wife and music partner, Lynne Ferguson. Double Stop was regionally popular featuring Roger on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and Lynne on vocals and guitar. Double Stop toured and performed for the next 20 years. Over this time Lynne and Roger raised five children, recorded seven cds (three in Nashville) and made hundreds of appearances including opening shows for some legendary artists including; Doc Watson, Taj Mahal and Emmylou Harris..
Â
Roger (middle) with Paul Anastasio and Johnny Gimble playing some Western Swing.
Â
Roger (left) and his brother, Mike performing at the local Eagles Hall 1971.
Roger has since been active playing and recording with various swing, and bluegrass groups in the Northwest acoustic music scene.
