The Wild Mountain Tyme Band has been playing together in one configuration or another for the past 11 years. Originally a contradance band called "Turkeys in the Straw" the band has entertained folks in the Eastern Sierra with a variety of Old Tyme American and Celtic music performed on traditional instruments such as fiddle, mandolin, guitar, flute, pennywhistle, hammered dulcimer, bass, recorder and what ever else people would drag in!

The band would play contradances which are basically an old time barn dance, where circle dances, Virginia reels and squares and the traditional contras were taught by callers in just a matter of minutes. The band would tune up while the caller would teach the steps and everyone would be whooping and hollering it up until the dance would run its course or everyone would be ready to drop with exhaustion!

The band started to reach toward other musical interests which included weddings, parties, and occasional jam sessions at local restaurants. In the past 11 years the band has enjoyed several performances at Mammoth Lakes' own Sierra Summer Festival as well as their first indoor sit-down Christmas concert at St. Joseph's Catholic Church entitled "An Evening of Celtic and Christmas" which was held in December of 1999 and 2000.

The current members of the Wild Mountain Tyme Band include Sue Mehrhof on flute, pennywhistle, banjo and vocals, "Bodie " Jack Shipley on recorders, guitar and hammered dulcimer, Charley Spiller on mandolin, and Legendary Big Gerry on rhythm guitar and occasional hammered dulcimer.

Two new members of the band have added some spice to the sound of Wild Mountain Tyme! Vickie Campbell on violin and viola, and a wonderful flute and tin whistle player Nicolas Buckmelter; rounding out the Wild Mountain Tyme "Wall of Sound." To hear the whole band in full performance mode is really quite memorable! The Wild Mountain Tyme Band will be performing several venues through out the year and would be enthused to perform for you and your function.

For booking and scheduling in the Sierra Nevada area, please call Sue at (760) 934 3832

Thank you for supporting the "Art of Music".