Jeff Austin

Bio

Jeff Austin is a member of Yonder Mountain String Band. Be sure to check out www.yondermountain.com and sign up for the mailing list so you can keep up with all the band news and updates.

Jeff was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois and grew up in nearby Elk Grove. Jeff spent his college studies at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where he specialized in musical theater, voice, and dance theater. As fate would have it, he met Dave Johnston and was asked to sing in The Bluegrassholes even though he had no bluegrass experience and played no instrument. When Jeff disclosed that he owned a mandolin, Dave told him to bring it along with the following advice:“Play anything,just play fast and loud.” That was in 1996 and obviously Jeff is no stranger to the mandolin now! He studied by ear and points to Roland White, John Duffy, Sam Bush, and David Grisman as influences. “It’s all about inspiration and listening,” Jeff says. His goal is to take music where it has never gone before. “If we can put out enough energy to sustain a crowd without drums, and show them they can still dance their asses off, well, we’ve achieved our goal.”

i have always wanted to play music…sing, play, whatever. i was lucky enough to be raised by a mom who, besides being amazing, encouraged me to sing and act and let my inner music out in every form.

i was born in 1974, just outside of Chicago, Illinois…grew up and attended school in the same area. i was involved in music in every way i could find…i acted in plays and musicals, sang in every choir i could fit into my schedule, and even taught junior high kids my senior year of high school…

went to…and thankfully dropped out of…college after less than a year. still one of the best decisions i’ve ever made. kept at music…this time not just singing, but trying…and i do mean trying….to play guitar.

found the mandolin in 1994..started really trying…and i do mean trying…to play it in 1995 when i met dave johnston and he changed my life by asking me to be in the bluegrassholes…still the best thing that has ever happened to me. look at what that little bit of faith made possible…

thought positive, moved to colorado, busted ass and put together this band for which i’m writing this bio.

lots of love from my mom, major inspiration from my dog, huge breaks, hard work, being able to starve, never forgetting how lucky i am…alot of mistakes, alot of great times, and always being grateful for being able to do what i do for a living.

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