Welcome to the music of Well Strung!!! We are a five piece band out of the Slippery Rock, PA. area and have been playing traditional and nontraditional bluegrass music since June of 2004. The members of this band come from fairly diverse backgrounds which allows them to create and cover music from different genres all in a bluegrass style. Well Strung enjoys playing live and never fails to get the audience involved in their shows. It is not unusual to see the floor bouncing with dancers which forces Tom Fawcett our sound engineer to hold on to the equipment, WE LOVE THAT!!

Well Strung is: 

Don Fiedler (Guitar, Vocals, other things with frets) 


I’ve been playing guitar since Christmas day 1979 when I acquired an old Harmony arch top that was passed down from my older brothers. I’ve been playing Bluegrass and Old Time Country music steadily since 1999 and I’ve always had a particular affinity for any music that is a little bit left of the mainstream. Some of my favorites are Gram Parsons, John Hartford, Gillian Welch, Uncle Tupelo, Dave Alvin and of course more traditional players like Doc Watson and Bill Monroe. If you meet me the one thing you should remember is that I’ve never met a beer I didn’t like. 

Dennis Morton (Fiddle, Harmony Vocals)

 
I grew up in Erie, Pa and have been playing violin since 1980. I bought my first fiddle book in 1985, Anthology of Fiddle Styles by David Reiner, and I’ve been hooked since. I am a member of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic and the Butler Symphony, but when it comes to having fun with a different style of music I play fiddle tunes. In 2001 I started the N.A. Fiddlers and have tried to bring the style of fiddling to the students at North Allegheny. Each year I bring in guest fiddler Mark Tamsula, local Appalachian and old-timey fiddler, to introduce the kids to this fun and exciting style of music. The fiddle I use has been handed down for generations in my family. I was named after my great-great-uncle Denny who used to play it long ago. 

Kevin Ondriezek (Mandolin, Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Guitar) -

I have been playing guitar since 1978 and Mandolin since 1995.  Lou Stiver has presented me with my F Style Mando and she is a beaut!!  A Chestnut Satin finish and barks louder than my lab.  Thanks Lou. I grew up in Latrobe, Pa. and had many opportunities to see the great pioneers of bluegrass, so I was bitten early but never really played a lick until my adult years.  I credit Garcia, Grisman, and "Old and In The Way" for getting me back into the music. I also really love the fresh twist that bands like King Wilkie, Old Crow Medicine Show and Yonder Mountain String Band are putting out today.  KEEP THE MUSIC ALIVE!!!!

Jeff Scheller (Bass, Harmony Vocals, Emcee)

I just love to play. I’ve been playing electric bass in a popular country/rock band since 1986, and I play at jams any time I get a chance. The great Steve Earle helped bring me to a rootsy, mandolin driven sound. That led me to the New Grass Revival, and now to my love of traditional bluegrass music. Well Strung has prove to be the perfect outlet for my acoustic needs. I attempt to play all the “stringy things,” but the upright bass is my love. She’s tall, curvy, long necked, has a sweet tail, and has a husky low voice that turns me on. My girl is a carved hybrid, German, Roth bass. Much to the dismay of the civilized world, I view the bass as a rhythm and lead instrument. I’m downright “slaphappy” over slap style bass. I’ll do my best to keep your head bobbin’ and your butt shakin’ with the bluegrass driving rhythm.

Tom St. John (Banjo, Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Jews Harp)

 
Tom grew up in Grove City, PA and had an obsessive-compulsive passion for skateboarding since he was in grade school. After High School, Tom moved to Ocean City, MD where he easily landed a spot on a local skateboard team riding freestyle and streetstyle. After 4 years of competing, performing demos, and judging contests, Tom decided to return to school and pursue higher education…so he bought a banjo. Tom purchased his first banjo and started learning the instrument in 2001. When the time approached to upgrade his instrument, he bought the parts, tools, more parts, more tools, learning materials, and darned if he didn't build his own 5-string banjo. Tom’s banjo influences are Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Allman Brothers, Phish, Gov’t Mule, and early Monster Magnet and Butthole Surfers. However, it wasn’t until a few dozen Leftover Salmon shows that Tom was taken in by bluegrass-like music and it's been all downhill since. Tom loves playing banjo and hopes his playing will inspire 1) peace on Earth, 2) global communion, and 3) free beer for the band.