Ill-Mo Boys

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From the St. Louis-, East St. Louis- or east of St. Louis area, come the Ill-Mo Boys, who have been playing together since the mid-1980s, specializing, as their name implies, in material reflecting their Midwest origins. Recently, a more refined musical focus has earned them a reputation as premier interpreters of Missouri fiddling and old-time country music. The four musicians have spent countless hours in the friendly confines of old-time master players like Tommy Jarrell, and Big Muddy veterans Bob Holt, Gene Goforth, and John Hartford.

Geoff Seitz is well known coast-to-coast for his hot square dance fiddling. A frequent finalist at fiddle contests he has won at both the Galax Fiddlers Convention and the Appalachian String Band Festival Around home he is also well known as a drummer and an expert in fiddle repair. Curtis Buckhannon has developed his old-time mandolin style that is dynamic and rich in complexion. He was a founding member of Cousin Curtis and the Cash Rebates, a St. Louis string band formed back when the federal government used to give away such things.

Jim Nelson’s 25 years in the old-time music and dance scenes has helped him raise the art of “second guitar” to new levels. He is an avid collector of 78-rpm records of old-time country music.

Marc Rennard lately has joined the band with his driving fiddle style and sense of invention. Marc was a member of the Mid-Missouri Hell-Band with Forrest Rose back in the 1970s, and has spent years traveling and playing with bands around the country.