About
Tim Gaskill - Guitar & Dobro
Timothy, 15, started on the harmonica at three. At first he simply sang with Joshua and Andrea. At five, he began the bass guitar. At nine, when the band won a Regal dobro at the Missouri Valley Old-Time Country and Bluegrass Festival, he took up that instrument. Tim now plays a Martin guitar and Paul Beard Gold Tone dobro. He sings lead in one song, but primarily keeps the group moving with his hard-driving rhythm guitar. One man said Tim must be double-jointed. His fingers certainly fly when he plays!
Peter Gaskill - Banjo
Peter, 18, started on the banjo at age five. His complete focus as he plays the guitar or his Gibson J.D. Crowe Blackjack banjo is riveting to watch. Peter, who sings lead and harmony tenor and baritone, plays the other instruments too. When he was a little boy, he claimed he could hear all of the instrument parts in his head and that statement has been proven true in the origination of such tunes as Pickin' Strawberries, Pierced for You, and Home in Nothin' Flat. When asked at age seven if he missed playing sports, Peter responded, "I'm not much for football, Mom. I'm more of a banjo man!"
Josh Gaskill - Upright Bass
Joshua, 13, whose musical career began at age two, "accompanying" his siblings with a tennis racket and guitar pick, now oversees our big Engelhardt bass. He started learning the bass, which all the kids scrimped and saved up for, at age 10. Joshua has a great ear and knows immediately when someone is off pitch. He plays with a big smile, his toes tapping, and belts out all his tenor parts with enthusiasm.
James Gaskill - Mandolin
James, 20, who loves to travel and sing, began studying the mandolin when he was seven. He now plays the guitar and an Eduard Kristufek mandolin from the Czech Republic. James enjoys writing and arranging songs (Mandolin Rush and Marking It Through) and does most of the talking at shows. During each program, James likes to share the plan of salvation in song or word, depending on the location where the group is playing. When he has free time, he busies himself renovating a 1987 Ford pickup his Grandpa gave him.
Bob & Brenda Gaskill
Bob and Brenda, now grandparents four times over, held family music practice each night after dinner. As the band improved, they felt impressed to buy and renovate a Freightliner semi, which has pulled the family and their trailer over 25 states. The kids have learned a lot about automobile mechanics over the years, Bob reminisces. Soon they'll be driving our 64-foot-rig too.
Andrea Gaskill - Fiddle
Andrea, 11, started singing with Joshua when she was three. Sheís working on the fiddle and bass. Everyone says she gets all the attention, even though she doesn't do as much. It must be her vivacious smile. Andrea has a pretty voice and will provide great band back up as she matures. She loves children, especially babysitting her niece and nephews.
