Album Notes

The Keepers began their career as a group in 1998 with lead guitarist, Tom Gehrig; bassist, Stephen Ehret; and drummer, Jeremy Maggs. They were soon joined by Susan Pease who was also half of Susan & Stephen, a vocal duo with Stephen Ehret. Fiddle player, Kenny Blacklock completed the roster and raised the sonic “ceiling” of the sound with electric violin. Jeremy left the band in 2005 after 2 CDs and was replaced with Mark Collins who plays on “Late Rain”. Their music references many genre including jazz, blues, folk, country and psychedelic – but is defined by a signature Keepers sound…large vocals and harmonies are layered with hard-edged guitar and soaring violin with a discernible 60’s sensibility.

Stephen Ehret played rhythm guitar, sang and composed for one of San Francisco’s original 60’s bands, The Wildflower. They performed with Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother & the Holding Co., the Birds, The Grateful Dead, and the Doors at venues like the Fillmore and the Avalon Ballroom, and toured with The Youngbloods. Stephen wrote songs with poets Michael Mc Clure and Michael Mc Causland.
Tom Gehrig was also taught and influenced by Michael Mc Clure, Tom studied electronic music and performance at the Mills College Center for Contemporary Music with pioneer composers Lou Harrison and Robert Ashley. He opened for Hoyt Axton at the tender age of 17 and was a regular player on San Francisco’s upper Grant Ave. club scene.
Canadian Jeremy Maggs, was heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts and honed his skills keeping the beat for several northern California bands, including Tropical Heat and Feral Child, before becoming the backbone of the Keepers.
Gospel-trained Susan Pease joined the all-mail group contributing a special talent for enhancing melody lines with interesting vocal harmonies, as well as playing harmonica, keyboard and percussion.
Kenny Blacklock is a virtuoso fiddle player, who has taken top honors in (and judged) many Bluegrass and Old-Time fiddle competitions, usually finishing in the top five. He’s also won awards for guitarpicking, mandolin, and twin fiddling (with wife Katy). Kenny plays keyboards, fife, spoons, musical saw, and pennywhistle as well. He is also a member of traditional Bluegrass band, Keystone Station.
Mark Collins joined as drummer in 2005. He is a master drummer who has played with bands throughout the Bay Area and Sonoma too numerous to mention. His unique sensitivity to dynamics allows him to drum with any combination from acoustic to electric that we choose.