Ed Neff
Best known for
Fiddle
Ed Neff is a Bay Area fiddler and multi-instrumentalist whose tenure with High Country in the 1970s and roughly fifteen years in the Vern Williams Band placed him on classic California bluegrass records — he leads Blue & Lonesome and hosts what is described as the longest-running weekly bluegrass gig in Northern California, in Petaluma.
- Born January 16, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri; finished high school in Southern California in 1964 and moved to the Bay Area in 1967.
- Multi-instrumentalist on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and bass; calls himself a "utility infielder" for his ability to play multiple instruments.
- Played with traditional bluegrass band High Country from 1969–76.
- Joined the Vern Williams Band in the mid/late 1970s and played fiddle and mandolin with the group for roughly 15 years; recorded the classic "Bluegrass from the Gold Country" (Rounder, 1980) at Archer Street Studios in Berkeley.
- Acquired his Nugget #1 mandolin (a prized Mike Kemnitzer instrument) in 1974.
- Leads Blue & Lonesome (1998–present) with longtime collaborator Larry Cohea (banjo/bass), Paul Shelasky (fiddle), and Mike Wilhoyte (guitar); also leads Ed Neff & Friends.
- Hosts the longest-running weekly bluegrass gig in Northern California — Thursday nights at the Willowbrook Ale House in Petaluma.
- Sang lead choruses sparingly but felt he couldn't match the volume of louder lead singers; primarily sings harmony.
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The Vern Williams BandPlayed on recordings with The Vern Williams Band
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Rose Maddox and the Vern Williams BandPlayed on recording with Rose Maddox and the Vern Williams Band