Dave Snyder

e-mail:  david@lastroadbluegrass.com

Dave got involved in bluegrass music in the mid 70’s after playing rock'n roll throughout his high school days. Having played in and started a number of bluegrass groups over the years, Dave has become known as one to find good musicians and singers. It seems that he has done it again by coming up with yet another group of great musicians and singers to carry on the Last Road name. Dave formed Last Road in the early 90’s and though a lot have trod down this road there’s still many a mile to go.

Dave has also been involved in radio, hosting his own radio show, Bluegrass In Dixie on WESC-AM 660. This show became short lived after the station leased off the AM station and there was no longer a place for bluegrass there. After about a year away from radio Dave carried his show to WRIX-FM in Anderson only to end again as result of talk radio.

You may find Dave just about anywhere there is bluegrass music. He enjoys playing his Hutto mandolins at jam session around the area as well as local festivals where you might also find him sounding the festivals as he has become a pretty good bluegrass sound technician.

Not having any children of his own you might find Dave sitting down with young pickers, giving them some pointers, sharing a few mandolin licks but always giving words of encouragement.

Dave and his wife, Pam, live in Easley, SC and they worship the Lord at George's Creek Baptist Church where Dave is involved in the music ministry.

With what time is left they enjoy spending time with their Golden Retriever, Leo and riding their jet ski’s while at Lake Hartwell.

Brian Baker

e-mail: brian@lastroadbluegrass.com

Playing the driving doghouse bass in Last Road, and usually found singing the tenor part, is Brian Baker. Brian's love of music goes back to childhood. He grew up playing classical music on the trumpet, followed by rock and roll drums in college. In the early 1990's, he discovered the “high lonesome” sound of bluegrass, and has been enthusiastically playing and singing it ever since.

In addition to the bass, Brian has learned to pick a bit on the mandolin, guitar, banjo, and fiddle. Bluegrass groups getting frequent play on his iPod include Bill Monroe, the Country Gentlemen, Tony Rice, Alison Krauss, Doyle Lawson, and Tim O’Brien. Brian's bass is a 1962 Kay M-1 upright.

Originally from Virginia, Brian has called the Upstate home since 1988. He lives in Simpsonville with his wife, Cathy, and their cure for empty-nest syndrome, a Lhasa Apso named Rupert. He takes great pride in his two stepsons, Brandon and Zach, who are about the finest young men you’ll ever meet! In between his hours spent working as an engineer at Michelin and playing bluegrass, Brian enjoys serving the Lord at First Baptist Simpsonville, collecting vinyl records, and restoring his historic 1911 home.

Benji Merritt

Benji’s musical background would be considered a bit “unconventional” compared to the average bluegrass musician, but all talented musical roads eventually lead back to bluegrass. He now feels he is finally where he belongs. Pickin’!

Benji Merritt was born and raised in Powdersville, SC and began studying the Cello at the age of 6. He attended the Governors School for the Arts and then proceeded to the University of South Carolina on a full music scholarship. (Note: Benji is the only cellist to date in USC history to play Rugby for the gamecocks.) After graduating, he moved to Nashville, TN and pursued a career in songwriting. After 8 years of living and working in Nashville, homesickness struck him and his family, and they all decided to move back to the Upstate and open their own fence business.

In high school, Benji began picking up different instruments to learn, including piano, guitar and mandolin. He played with a southern rock band for two years in college singing lead and playing guitar and fiddle. He has sung and played in places ranging from beer joints and bike rallies to the Governor’s mansion and churches. He has sung in many different choirs in High School and college, singing Bass, Baritone, and Tenor. His local “claim to fame” is writing the fight song for Easley High School.

Benji, Ansley, and their two kids Walker and Abbey Grace live in Easley, SC and are members at Covenant Presbyterian Church. They have a deep love for the Lord, their family, and the great state of South Carolina.

Mike Crane

e-mail: mike@lastroadbluegrass.com

Mike's talents are playing banjo and singing various parts for the group. Mike became interested in playing the banjo as Dueling Banjos became popular in the early 1970s. His parents bought his first banjo from a Sears catalog and Mike taught himself to play using The Earl Scruggs’ method. His talents also include Scruggs style guitar and claw hammer banjo.
After earning a degree in forestry at Oklahoma State, Mike has worked with the U.S. Forest Service since 1984. Originally from Oklahoma, he and his family moved to Walhalla, SC in 1999.
Mike and his wife, Martha, have three children, two attending USC in Columbia, SC and a third working in Houston, Texas, also a USC graduate.
Mike and Martha enjoy riding their Harley's when they get a chance.

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