Anthony VanPelt

fiddle,
vocals

Anthony is originally from Harrisonburg, VA and has been a classical violinist since age 4. He has a BA in Violin Performance from Eastern Mennonite University & James Madison University and has an MM in Composition from Shenandoah Conservatory. He is a member of the Lexington Symphony and his original works have been performed in Europe, China, Japan, Mexico, Guam, and throughout the United States. He currently teaches violin in the Rockingham County area.

Anthony jumped into bluegrass music in 2004 and his solid technique and fiery improvisations are highlights of every Loose Gravel show.

Pat Velanzon

bass,
vocals

Pat played in rock bands in the 60's in his native Danbury, Connecticut before moving to the Valley near Port Republic and immersing himself in the local bluegrass scene on upright bass.

He is the Pastor of Cross Keys Worship Center near Port Republic, VA and a familiar presence at jam sessions up and down the Shenandoah Valley.

Dale Wenger

banjo,
vocals

Dale grew up near Harrisonburg, VA. He started playing guitar at age 6 and joined the group Limestone Ramblers at age 16.

He laid aside his banjo from 1995 to 2005 before finding Pat and Anthony at a jam session and accepting their invitation to play regularly.

His mastery of the "melodic" style of bluegrass banjo made popular by Bill Keith, Tony Trischka, Alison Brown and Bela Fleck is especially well-suited to Loose Gravel's contemporary sound.

Dale lives near Elkton, VA at the foot of Swift Run Gap, where he operates B & W Taxidermy.

Rick Hensley

guitar,
vocals

The original quartet was joined in early 2007 by Rick Hensley, who adds more lead vocals and a solid bluegrass guitar presence to the band. Rick is a veteran of another regional bluegrass band, Grassy Ridge.

He lives at "the heart of the Elkton-Island Ford-McGaheysville metroplex" in Pineville, VA and works at nearby Massanutten Resort.

Jim Gallaher

mandolin,
vocals

Jim grew up in Lynchburg, VA and caught the "bluegrass bug" while at Virginia Tech in the 70's. He switched to guitar in the early 80's to explore rock'n'roll and jazz with various bands before moving to Staunton, VA in 1989.

He started picking mandolin again in 2000 and met Anthony and Pat in early 2004 at a jam session in Grottoes, VA.

His influences include David Grisman, The Seldom Scene, The Country Gentlemen, Tim O'Brien, Larry Cordle and a host of contemporary bluegrass artists.

Jim resides in Staunton where he works for local government.