The AcoustiCana Journal

Finders & Youngberg • Finders and Youngberg aka Finnders and Youngberg is not a law firm. Oh, they might know some things about speeding tickets and noise ordinance violations, but they are a band.  One could call them a bluegrass band, which they are.  However, the band’s focus on original material, incorporation of the pedal steel guitar, and the entire quintet’s adventurous approach to all types of americana music make this band truly an exciting development in acoustic roots music.  Original acoustic music rooted in bluegrass, blues, and old country tradition. Anchored in the northern front range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, this band plays music of its time and place, at a high level.

Songwriter and guitarist Mike Finders {say finn-ders} is a two-time winner of the Merlefest Songwriting Contest. Erin and Aaron Youngberg {yes, that’s right}, were founding members of Hit and Run Bluegrass Band, which won both Telluride and Rockygrass band contests in 2003, as well as subsequent SPGMA and IBMA honors. Fiddler Ryan Drickey is a former Rockygrass Fiddle Champ and a much-sought session player with the likes of Matt Flinner and Michelle Shocked. Rich Zimmerman‘s mandolin work in the Colorado-based Slipstream is widely heralded as a founding voice in the CPG style of bluegrass. With such combinations of musicianship, creativity and experience, the band is finding some serious momentum at the close of this year.

2010 was a great year for Finnders and Youngberg. With powerful sets performed at such venues as the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, the Black Hills Bluegrass Festival, and Denver’s Mid-Winter Bluegrass Festival, the band honed it’s show and sound. Their performance breathes like an intimate porch jam, yet the tight arrangements, lilting harmonies, careful choreography around a central microphone, and instrumental precision display the group’s commitment to their music.

Erin Youngberg plays the bass. Ironically, she is the youngest, yet has the most experience of the group. She started performing in her daddy’s bluegrass band when she was 9 yrs. old in Jackson, WY. "E" also sings and contributes on the songwriting front. She played with Uncle Earl for one year and recorded the bass parts on their 2007 release. Erin hunts elk.

Aaron Youngberg plays banjo and pedal steel. He is the proud owner & engineer at Swingfingers Recording Studio in Fort Collins, CO. "Double A" engineered, produced and mixed “Keep Your Suitcase Packed." Aaron sometimes plays with other country and honkytonk bands in the Fort Collins area. Mr. Youngberg is an expert snowboarder and pen-flipper.

Mike Finders has played guitar since he was 7 yrs. old, growing up in the middle of Iowa. He also plays harmonica, sings, writes songs. Mike has won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest twice: bluegrass category in 2004, and gospel category in 2005 and yet he still gets mentioned last. He likes to do dishes…and used to be a ninja.

Rich Zimmerman misspent his youth riding BMX bikes, playing electric guitar, and going to school. Thanks to a David Grisman concert in California, a Del McCoury concert in Colorado, and a desire to own an instrument that fits in overhead compartments… Rich bought a mandolin in 1996. Rich is best known for and proud to have been a founding member of the innovative, Boulder based band

Ryan Drickey is a former Rockygrass Fiddle Champ and a much-sought session player with the likes of Matt Flinner and Michelle Shocked.

VIDEOS
Finders & Youngberg at the 2009 Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JSgFVui9bs
Paonia Co. BMW MC Rally #2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzIOUq9icms
 

LINKS
FaceBook • www.facebook.com/FinndersandYoungberg
Mailing List • www.reverbnation.com/finndersandyoungberg
Booking • Rob Miller www.pickinproductions.com
Store • www.finndersyoungberg.bandcamp.com/
Contact • www.finndersandyoungberg.com/contact
WebSite • www.finndersandyoungberg.com
BandCamp • www.finndersyoungberg.bandcamp.com/
ReverbNation • www.reverbnation.com/finndersandyoungberg
YouTube • www.youtube.com/finndersandyoungberg
CDBaby • www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FindersAndYoungberg
Amazon • http://amzn.to/iOI3zn
MySpace • www.myspace.com/findersandyoungberg

ARTICLES
Lyons Recorder Newspaper – Finders and Youngberg band
www.lyonsrecorder.com/index.php/lifestyle/music/1707-finders-and-youngberg-band
Original Bluegrass, Folk & Country
www.pickinproductions.com/?section=products-group-97

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