Album Notes

Pete Wernick, known for his banjo playing with Hot Rize, and his singer-guitarist wife Joan Wernick, present one of the West's most engaging country duets. Joan's clear, soulful singing and Pete's masterful picking bring life to a diverse repertoire including traditional bluegrass, vocal duets, and blazing instrumentals. In the early 70's the pair performed with the groundbreaking progressive bluegrass band Country Cooking, based in Ithaca, New York. Since 1976 they have been based in Niwot, Colorado in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Pete's "Dr. Banjo" handle is based both on his banjo expertise and his Ph.D. in sociology from Columbia University. He has been nominated for Banjo Player of the Year in national polls and is also known for his best-selling instruction books, videos and workshops. For 12 years he toured full-time with the highly popular Hot Rize band, named Entertainer of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Pete's critically acclaimed solo album, "On a Roll," received several award nominations and went to #3 on the national bluegrass chart.

Joan, also known to music fans as "Nondi," has sung with various groups in Colorado and hosted a bluegrass radio program on KGNU Boulder since 1978. Her natural sparkle and the couple's on-stage repartee adds an extra dimension to their duet performances. Bluegrass Now magazine says, "Joan's singing is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any bluegrass traditionalist."

"Windy Mountain" (Niwot Records) is Pete and Joan's first duet CD. Early favorable reaction includes "Bluegrass Unlimited" calling it a "marvelous collage of traditionally-flavored music."

For music to make you smile, tap your foot, and remind you of life's good things, don't miss "Dr. and Nurse Banjo"!