The Monarch Mountain Bands high-stepping, toe-tapping progressive approach actually began in the 6o’s in the California foothills with Scott Reid. Reid studied piano, brass, banjo, guitar and harmonica as a child. As a member of a very musical family his influences ran the gamut, from folk, jazz, rock, blues, country, marching bands, showtunes to symphony. Reid has decades of playing experience and brings his expertise of multiple instruments to this revolutionary group.
As a teen his family relocated from the Bay Area, San Mateo, to the hills of Placerville, largely due to his mother’s annual productions of melodramas with the Claypipers in Drytown, Ca. There he learned much about the live stage. In Placerville, Reid was enrolled in band learning trumpet, trombone and baritone, on the side playing tenor banjo, harmonica, and guitar and played in band, jazz band, pep band and marching band. At this time Reid met Larry Park and his father Ray Park of Vern and Ray, California Bluegrass legends, and he bought his first 5-string banjo. Larry and Scott formed the Rosebud Blue Bluegrass Band. Members included Ray Park, Carl Eriksson, Chris Hill, Jack Stone and Steve Townzen. Being largely influenced by the folk revivalists and beat poets, in particular Woody and Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan they covered Bluegrass standards, the Stones, the Beatles, the Band, Dylan, the Byrds and the Grateful Dead. They played in the hills, the valley and the Bay Area. In 1970 Reid and Jack Stone split off to perform as a duo and crossed the U.S. several times, playing the Midwest and the East coast. Years of playing has created a long list of credits of Bands formed, opening act gigs as well as bookings as headliners. In 1973 Reid and Stone formed Virgin Territory in Portland Oregon with local legends Willy and Matt Cripps, on double fiddles and mandolins and all performed as regular session and sidemen for the Holy Modal Rounders and Jeff Fredericks, and the Clamtones. At this time Reid started studying Fiddle and Mandolin. Reid’s travels brought him to the beauty of north Idaho several times and in 1979 he moved there to stay where he worked in the woods, performed, and raised a family and started teaching Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, and mandolin. Reid performed with Doug and Kathy Sheffler, Alan Lane, Jeff Decker, as well as Sid and the Sidewinders, Country Stash, and Black Diamond String Band. About this time Reid met Ray Allen. Allen a native of Spokane, had been performing solo, and duo, and decided to team up with Reid. The band was dubbed Monarch Mountain Band and booked a house gig at Bugatti Pub in Sandpoint, Idaho with Don Scott and later Daryl Durham both on guitar and vocals, Allen on mando, guitar and lead vocals , Reid on banjo, fiddle, harps and vocals. Before long the band was booked at the then new Silverwood Theme Park playing at the various stages, but particularly on the train and the train robbery. Reid and Allen performed for 10 years at the park as it grew all the while playing locally and regionally through the Rocky Mountain Fair Association, which took them from Seattle to Twin Falls, the Oregon coast, Lewiston, to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Scott stayed on soloing at Silverwood when Ray Allen decided to move to Hawaii. Other local musicians performed occasionally with the band, including Ray Allen when he moved back into the area. Ray is currently persuing a solo act and occasionally performing with other bands. The band now consists of :
Scott Reid Vocals, Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle, and Harmonica. Founder of the Monarch Mountain Band and Multi-instrumentalist. Music teacher in both Sandpoint, Coeur d' Alene, and Bonners Ferry.
Tom Dubendorfer Tom hails from Northern California. He is a dedicated Guitarist, Mandolin, picker and vocalist. He brings his fastgun jazzgrass style to the band. He has been a main member in the Monarch Mountain Band for nearly 15 years. He is well versed in Old Time, Bluegrass, Jazz, Blues, Swing, and Rock formats. He is a truly awesome Lead player, and is in hot demand. Tom is also involved with many other fine bands in the area.
Laurie Reid Laurie plays percussion and sings backup in the band. She is credited with performing with many local acts over the years, as well as some regional.
Drew Browne Drew adds his Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Lead Guitar, and Vocals to the mix on special occasions. He is one of the best musicians around and we enjoy having him play, so will you.
Fiddlin Red Simpson The newest addition to the group, is a featured guest at times. Red is a veteran performer and Wild West Mountain Man. Red's hot Fiddlin, Mandolin, and Klaw Hammer Banjo add Old Time flavor to the Band. His knowledge of instrument repair and American History is extensive.
Aaron Birdsall Aaron is a special guest at some performances. He plays Lead and Rythm Guitar, Piano, and Bass. He sings both Leads and Back-up Vocals. To his credit he is a prolific song writer and accredited sound engineer. He performs regularly with his own band, and occasionally with MMB. He has Mastered our recordings, as well as Engineering the "If all else Fails" CD. He adds much each and every time he plays with MMB.
Dan DeRosier Dan plays Blues Guitar well, but mostly helps the Band by the making of many Live Recordings, including "Live at the Winery", and "Live and Still Vertical" CD's. He is currently in production of 2 more CD's featuring Fiddlin Red. Soon to be done, we look forward to add them to our other CD's. Much thanks Dan.
The Band has kept busy at weddings, private parties, and local pubs and restaurants in particular Schweitzer Mtn. Resort, the Pend d’oreille Winery, Sandpoint, the Moontime Restaurant, Cda., The Spokane Indians Ballclub at Avista stadium in Spokane, at the POAC Park Place summer concert series as well as the Sandpoint Art and Crafts Festival at the beach, and the Sandpoint Farmers Market.
Scott Reid: Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Dobro, Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Tom Duebendorfer: Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Laurie Reid: Percussion/Rhythm, Vocals
Drew Browne: Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Lead Guitar, Vocals
Aaron Birdsall: Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Fiddlin Red Simpson: Fiddle, Mandolin, Banjo, Vocals
Scott Reid singing up a storm at Schweitzer Mountain
SCOTT AND TOM TEARING IT UP AT THE WINERY IN SANDPOINT
WE LOVE THE OUTDOOR GIGS.
Tom D'Orazi, Laurie Reid, Scott Reid
Having some fun at the POAC Summer Sounds in Sandpoint Idaho
SCOTT AND FIDDLIN RED PREPARING FOR A GIG. DON'T MISS THE OLD TIME MUSIC THESE TWO CAN PUT OUT TOGETHER!
Scott Reid and Tom D'Orazi pickin away, great licks, good times.
Tom Duebendorfer jammin out some tunes at the Octoberfest in Sandpoint Idaho!
