RIDIN' THE FAULT LINE is a bluegrass group featuring Mike Akin (banjo, dobro, and lead vocals), Larry Swift (mandolin and harmony vocals), Richard Schmeling (guitar and harmony vocals) and Janna Lauer (bass).
The group's contagious traditional sound has earned them opening slots for Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Steve Kaufman, Don Williams, Open Road, Alison Brown Quartet and Mountain Heart, and they have shared the stage with such notables as Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show, Lost Highway, and Cherryholmes. You can catch them most Friday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Joe Morley's BBQ 7720 S 100 West in Midvale, Utah. (Call (801) 255-8928 to confirm.)
Mike Akin
Mike 's music began at age 7 when his mom taught him piano. In the folk era, Mike played finger-style guitar. Later, he would play his way through college with such bands as - The Country Gentlemen, The Nashville Freeway, and The Elkwater Flea & Tick Band. In the seventies, Mike picked up the banjo and hasn't put it down. In California, he played with group Niles Stalnaker and the Bluegrass Dreamers. Since returning to Utah, he has been the cornerstone of RIDIN' THE FAULT LINE. (Mike won first place in Utah State Banjo Championship at the Sandy Bluegrass Festival July, 2000)
Richard Schmeling
Brooklyn born, and California raised, Richard Schmeling is a multi-talented musician - playing piano, mandolin and guitar. In 1966 Richard founded California folk group Greensleeves. For RIDIN' THE FAULT LINE, he handles the guitar and takes the high harmonies.
Larry Swift
Raised in the Ozark's of Missouri, Larry was weened on Bluegrass. Larry is a
fan of many musical styles - and is a top blues guitarist in his own right - but
he always come back to his roots. Master of the mandolin, Larry's favorites
include Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and J.D. Crowe.
Janna Lauer
Rock solid on the upright bass, Janna played with well known Utah bands Somewhat Faithful and Cactus Swing; and currently plays in the swing group Travelin' Light. She founded and directs Heart & Soul, a non-profit organization whose mission is to heal the human spirit by bringing music and performing arts to people isolated from society.
Some of the band's performances include:
IAMA Murray Park Festival, Bannock County Bluegrass Festival. Utah Arts Festival, Gallivan Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Capitol Theatre, Logandale Bluegrass Festival Founders Title Company Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Deer Valley, Utah, Ogden City Festival, Sandy City Folk and Blugrass Festival, and the Birch Creek Bluegrass Festival.
For booking information call:
Janna Lauer (801) 467-0663 Larry Swift (801) 560-8119
Mike Akin (801) 688-1137 Rich Schmeling (801) 572-3806
Mailing address:
Ridin' The Fault Line
Janna Lauer
542 East 1300 South
Salt Lake City UT 84105