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Picture a summer picnic...clapping to toe tapping tunes, listening to strong vocal harmonies, and watching children dancing on the lawn. Areyou looking for some old-fashioned relaxing summertime fun? Check out the Brick Road Ramblers, one of our most popular local musical groups. I've attended many of their performances and enjoyed each one immensely. They offer us an opportunity to forget our daily cares and immerse ourselves in the pleasure of upbeat, fun music!

The Ramblers are a five-member string band that play a mix of traditional, folk and contemporary tunes. All of the musicians sing and play several instruments while performing at festivals, cafes, and private parties. The inspiration for the band's name was the turn of the century brick roads of Akron's

Highland Square. The friends originally gathered in their Highland Square neighborhood on these back streets and played music on back porches. Each eclectic member of the group brings unique talents to the mix. Fiddler Wayne (Marks) plays, of course, fiddle as well as the mandolin. He's the contact person for the group's gigs. Banjo Ron (Johnson) is the group's multi-instrumental wonder. He plays the banjo, dobro, guitar, concertina, electric guitar and bass. Ron is the producer of their CD and a scholar of old country music, bluegrass and folk rock songs. Mandolin Steve (Kraus) plays the mandolin, guitar, piano and mandola. He is their resident musicologist and has a large collection of antique sheet music, old records and music books, which they tap for new/old material. Guitar Dave (Stroh) plays the acoustic and electric guitar and a variety of

This photo of us at the Yankee Peddler Festival was printed with the article.

percussion instruments. Dave has an outstanding memory for lyrics -- he knows hundreds of songs and all their verses. Tom Schurr plays the bass and has an incredible ear and memory for music. Tom's talents are also seen on the artwork and design of the CD.

The Brick Road Rambler's CD is titled Porch Music -- inspired by their formative days. The Ramblers wanted their listeners to hear the music like it would sound drifting from their favorite porch with the feel of a summer

evening, and a mix of tunes that would complement the sound of a porch swing in motion. To capture the energy of a live performance they recorded the entire band together at Akron's Ecton Road Studios. Nowadays, most CDs are recorded one musician at a time. The 20 songs, from older fiddle tunes to 60's rock classics, reflect the band's love for music that makes feet stomp, hands clap and strangers join in on the chorus. Porch Music is available online, at Borders in Montrose, Ross Music in Akron, or Martin's Violin Shop in North Canton.

Join the Brick Road Ramblers this summer for some uplifting music and a rollicking good time! They are also available for private parties -- what fun to have a live band at your next gathering. Learn more about the band at www.brickroadramblers.org.