Member Bio…
Bill, Jim, Ed, and Gary have come together as The
Muleskinner Band, bringing their individual musical backgrounds, experiences,
and influences with them. An
evening with the Muleskinners will certainly lead one to the conclusion that
none are willing to abandon their musical heritages. Hence, the musical
offerings on a given evening will span Big Mon to Buck, Patsy to Merle, Gospel
to the Drifters, Doobie Brothers to Crosby, Stills,
& Nash. Great vocal harmony is
a centerpiece of every Muleskinner rendering, as is solid instrumental backing
and soloing. An evening with the
Muleskinners will certainly include frequent and prolific storytelling, humor,
and good-hearted dialogue with the audience. We hope that you enjoy the content here and we hope
that this on-line experience encourages you to “come give The Muleskinner Band
a listen.”
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Bill Purk… Bill
(with his trademark hat) is the founding member of the band in 1985. Bill
grew up in rural Shelby County where his ancestors had settled from Virginia.
A student of historical country and bluegrass music, he began playing in a
family band at age 12. Bill is able to play five instruments, but
concentrates on the guitar and mandolin. He has written several songs the
band performs and serves as the band's storyteller. Bill also serves as the
band's music lyric archivist and continually demonstrates his uncanny ability
to recall lyrics from literally hundreds (possibly even thousands) of songs
released during the past fifty years. Birthplace:
Piqua, OH Life
Experiences: Grew up in rural Shelby County, hunted, fished, and
collected junk as a kid. First musical performance involved singing at church
at the age of four. Listened to WPFB, Middletown and WMGS, Bowling Green.
Attended every country music show that came to town. Graduated from Urbana University(B.S., Education) and University of Dayton(M.S.,
Counseling) Musical Influences: Buck Owens, Merle
Haggard, McGuire Sisters, Buddy Cox and Dale Duke (regional country singers,
Champaign County), Mom & Dad, Troy Herdman,
Oscar Ball, Howard "Sang" Sayer, Mike
Dean, Lynn Marshall and anyone who sang with a passion. Family:
Wife- Keri, Children- Ali & Caitlin, Mom- Dorothy, Dad- Paul (deceased, 1981),
and numerous and loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Extended family includes
Scott, Beth, Emma Huffman (foster daughter), and Mark Davis Instruments:
Martin HDLSV 28, McKinley D28 copy, ’65 Gibson F12, McKinley F5 copy, 50's
model Gibson J50, used and abused '67 Fender Telecaster Vices:
Eating, trying to breath new life into seemingly useless pieces of farm
equipment and worn musical instruments Heroes: Uncles Verle, Jack, Laurel, and other family members too numerous to mention; a much-revered family in Holmes County whose philosophy and spirituality have been a constant source of inspiration for the entire Muleskinner family |
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Jim Peterson… Jim, the newest member of the band, began learning to play the banjo in December of 1979 (still learning). Jim had no interest in bluegrass music until being nagged by a co-worker into listening to an instrumental album, and got hooked. He has enjoyed playing in local bands since then and has made many good friends. Birthplace:
Janesville, Wisconsin Life
Experiences:
Grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Tinley Park, Illinois. Jim moved to Dayton Ohio while in
high school. Several years later
he married & moved to Tipp City, Ohio for 26 years. He is currently a retired wood
patternmaker living in Russia, Ohio. Musical
Influences:
Earl Scruggs, J. D. Crowe, Jim Mills. Family: Wife Alma. Son Jeff & his wife, Autumn, and grandaughter
Belle;
daughter Suzy and her husband Joe. Instruments: Gibson Granada, Gibson RB-250. Vices: Boating on St. Mary's Lake; watching
and/or attending auto races. Heroes: Family, friends, Earl Scruggs, J. D.
Crowe, and all members of the US Military, past and present. |
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Gary Markin… A member with nearly forty years of
performing experience, Gary rejoined the group in 2001 after a six-year
absence. His bass playing and singing are an important part of the group's
sound. Gary began singing in church with his father, who taught him to play the
guitar. His musical experiences have included working with Kevin Mabry and
Liberty Street in the 70's and 80's, traveling through a seven-state area and
opening for numerous major country artists. Gary has fond memories of playing
at the first West Virginia Wheeling Jamboree's "Jamboree in the
Hills". Birthplace:
Marysville, OH Life
Experiences: Spent childhood in rural Cable, OH, biking, ball playing and
kicking the can across eastern Champaign County, sang in church with Mom
& Dad Musical
Influences: Richie Blackmore, James Taylor, The Band, Grand Funk
Railroad, CSN&Y, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Del McCoury , Eldon & Karl
Foulk Family:
Wife Karen, daughter Lara, two cats, a dog, and a rabbit, brother Russ,
sister Rita Instruments:
1978 Music Man Stingray Vices:
Culinary arts, late-night jammin' with friends,
baling hay with father-in-law Bob Heroes: Mom & Dad |
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Ed Weisenbach… A fourteen year
member of the band, Ed began his musical career by playing saxophone and
clarinet in the elementary school band, studying the saxophone further with
"Hap" Ashenfelter. He picked up the
guitar several years later and began playing rock and country music in
various bands throughout his high school and college years. During the 70's
& 80's, Ed enjoyed stints with several country acts in the Ohio area. Birthplace:
Hamilton, OH Life
Experiences: Spent his boyhood hunting &fishing, attended coin &
gun shows with his father, and listened to 60's rock & roll Musical
Influences: Mills Brothers, "Hap" Ashenfelter,
Ray Conniff, Dave Workman, Clapton, Ted Nugent,
Albert King, Buck Owens Family:
Wife Katherine, daughters Jessica & Sara, stepson Joel, mother Betty,
sister Jane, father Walter(deceased), numerous
aunts, uncles, and cousins, (cat) Muffin, and Misty the wonderdog
(black Lab) Instruments:
Collings Clarence White model, Collings
D2H, Taylor 810, '72 Les Paul, Tele, & Strat Vices:
Woodworking, lawn & garden equipment, musical instruments Heroes: Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa Blakeley, Grandma Weisenbach, Uncle Bill, "Hap" Ashenfelter, Jim Kincaid, Bob Durst, Phil Keaggy, Johnny Hiland |
