Though the railroad occupation of gandy dancer has long disappeared, the term itself still recalls harsh, ancient times. Similarly, this West Virginia group composed of journeymen old-time musicians plays tunes that harken back to forgotten times except, when rendered here, are very much alive and vibrant. Each of the members is a champion multi-instrumentalist. They all have known one another and played together in different combinations for over 20 years.

Milnes and Dave Bing often lead the briskly played attack on fiddles and Ron Mullennex bounces along on banjo or mandolin, while Mark Payne (guitar) and Jim Martin (bass) provide solid, unerring rhythmic support. Together they’re unbelievably tight and relentlessly driving, meshing cohesively with a feeling that’s absolutely natural.

Dave Bing who hails from Harmony, West Virginia, in Roane County, has played fiddle and banjo for over 30 years.  He is a founding member, along with brothers Mike and Tim of the Bing Brothers, an old-time string band that reached near legendary status in West Virginia.  He is a founding member of Gandydancer.

Winner of many fiddle contests in and around West Virginia, Bing is a highly respected teacher as well.  He has taught at Allegheny Echoes, Augusta Heritage Workshops, Common Ground on the Hill and many other places, both here and abroad. His playing and teaching draws on West Virginia fiddle styles with a focus on applying bowing patterns for different dynamics.  An influential figure in the state’s traditional music community, Dave has spent years tracking down the music of older musicians from central West Virginia.  Bing also is a woodworker and sought-after violinmaker.

 Gerry Milnes of Elkins, West Virginia works at the Augusta Heritage Center. He has researched folklore and traditional music in West Virginia, authored books and produced recordings of traditional music and documentary films.  He has collected, performed, and taught West Virginia music for 30 years.  

Jim Martin of St. Albans, West Virginia is an accomplished bass player and sings bass on the band’s quartet numbers. Jim’s recording label, JMP, has produced West Virginia’s finest acoustic music over the past 20 years.

 Ron Mullenex of Bluefield, Virginia is a geologist by day with a life-long passion for old-time music. He plays claw hammer banjo and mandolin in the band and is an experienced teacher of the old-time music.  

Mark Payne of Winfield, West Virginia is sought out for his rock solid guitar work and three-finger style banjo playing. He has recorded with Mountain State masters like Woody Simmons, Wilson Douglas, Elmer Bird, and Bobby Taylor. Mark is the program director for the West Virginia Humanities Council.  

Through the years music has drawn them together in spite of professional schedules and demands. The band uses a fresh assortment of instrumental and vocal combinations that audiences find appealing. A cappella vocal harmonies, old-time fiddle and banjo tunes, seldom heard West Virginia folk songs, traditional bluegrass, new combinations, poignant ballads, and driving instrumental numbers are all presented masterfully. Several songs are performed exclusively by Gandydancer; in many cases, as they were learned firsthand from older artists now gone.