In the beginning...
The Roundhouse Band had its beginning about seven years ago when several folks who had met each other through the Great Plains Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association (GPB&OTMA) got together to make music. Since then this band has been one of the mainstays of the club and has achieved international acclaim. Someone in The Netherlands now has our CD's - Hi Ad! Original members Don Knudsen, Steve Aksamit, and Duane Miller are joined now by Bob Roscoe. Together, they play old-time songs and fiddle tunes, and both classic and contemporary bluegrass, as well as period music for special events at
museums and historical reenactments.
Don Knudsen
Don Knudsen has long been involved with music, especially through church and historical reenactments. He was introduced to bluegrass and the GPB&OTMA by fellow teacher Joe McNamara some time in the mid 1980's. Don's primary instrument is the mandolin, but he also plays guitar, autoharp, clawhammer banjo, and several other members of the mandolin family. In the summer Don can frequently be found indulging both his musical and historical interests at Buckskinner events and reenactments.
Don Knudsen has long been involved with music, especially through church and historical reenactments. He was introduced to bluegrass and the GPB&OTMA by fellow teacher Joe McNamara some time in the mid 1980's. Don's primary instrument is the mandolin, but he also plays guitar, autoharp, clawhammer banjo, and several other members of the mandolin family. In the summer Don can frequently be found indulging both his musical and historical interests at Buckskinner events and reenactments.
Duane Miller
The fiddler for Roundhouse is Fremont resident Duane Miller. Duane's railroad interests were the inspiration for the name "Roundhouse Band." When not fiddling or driving a train or running a railroad, Duane collects antique tractors and single cylinder hit-and-miss gas engines (ask him about that), and is learning to play the mandolin and tenor banjo.
The fiddler for Roundhouse is Fremont resident Duane Miller. Duane's railroad interests were the inspiration for the name "Roundhouse Band." When not fiddling or driving a train or running a railroad, Duane collects antique tractors and single cylinder hit-and-miss gas engines (ask him about that), and is learning to play the mandolin and tenor banjo.
Steve Aksamit
Banjo player Steve Aksamit's earliest exposure to music came at about age three when his parents would take him to the Sunday night polka dance in Wilbur, Nebraska. At Kearney State College a good friend taught him three chords on the guitar (guess which three?), then later he heard Grandpa Jones a few times and fell in love with the banjo. In 1986 Steve accepted a job offer as a corporate
pilot for Bethphage which brought him to Omaha and he has been involved with GPBOTMA ever since.
Banjo player Steve Aksamit's earliest exposure to music came at about age three when his parents would take him to the Sunday night polka dance in Wilbur, Nebraska. At Kearney State College a good friend taught him three chords on the guitar (guess which three?), then later he heard Grandpa Jones a few times and fell in love with the banjo. In 1986 Steve accepted a job offer as a corporate
pilot for Bethphage which brought him to Omaha and he has been involved with GPBOTMA ever since.
Robèrt Rosceaux
A solid rhythm anchor for the band is provided by the fine bass playing of another recent addition, Robèrt Rosceaux. Robèrt's outstanding application of the bass and solid music background adds a foundation to the band. He also adds fiddle harmony for the chamber music sound of the 1800 period.
A solid rhythm anchor for the band is provided by the fine bass playing of another recent addition, Robèrt Rosceaux. Robèrt's outstanding application of the bass and solid music background adds a foundation to the band. He also adds fiddle harmony for the chamber music sound of the 1800 period.
Roundhouse has two recordings. "First Run", which came out a couple of years ago, full of great mix of songs and instrumental tunes from the last 200 years. Their new release is "The Old Home Place" and also displays their taste in historic music form Irish to bluegrass.