Read more about the band in this interview with the Charleston Post and Courier
JEFF GOLLER
Jeff is Palmetto Rose’s Dobro player. Jeff was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, although his family hails from Lexington, KY. He started playing music at 16 with flute but eventually switched over to guitar. Jeff played guitar in a number of rock and acoustic bands over the years notably : “Cash on Delivery”, and “Middle Earth”. In 1991 Jeff switched primary instruments from guitar to bass and eventually became a founding member of a popular oldies lowcountry band “The Rejuvenators”. Jeff was bitten by the Bluegrass Bug in 2010 and learned Upright Bass. he has appeared with a number of lowcountry Bluegrass acts including “Lowcountry Grass”. He was a founding member of “The South Rail Bluegrass Band” and made many appearances with them including Awendaw Green, Summerville Sweet Tea Festival, Coastal Carolina fair and numerous public and private events. Recently Jeff became a founding member of “The Palmetto Rose Band”. He has played on stage at Merlefest twice with Pete Wernick (of Hot Rise) as a Part of his Bluegrass Jam Camp. Jeff gave up bass after he was bitten by the sweet sound of the Dobro. He now primarily plays Dobro, Lap Steel Guitar and Pedal Steel Guitar. Jeff also enjoys Providing vocals for the band. In addition, Jeff plays just a smattering of mandolin, old time banjo, keyboards and percussion.
Jeff considers his influences : Flatt and Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, Allison Kraus and Union Station, Jerry Garcia, and Railroad Earth. For Dobro, Jeff loves listening to Jerry Douglas, and “Uncle Josh” Graves. Jeff also has an interest in recording and the technical side of music production. Jeff says his current musical goals are to play a little of every style and Bluegrass instrument, and to write, record and perform more original music and someday play at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival !
NICOLE MCLOUD
Nicole is the blonde haired flower of The Palmetto Rose Band. She was born in Honolulu Hawaii, “In the same hospital Barack Obama was born! ” Nicole was raised in the Golden Isles of Georgia and first started singing in her church choir. She was also in the bell choir, and started piano lessons at the tender age of 7. She eventually joined the school band and played the flute from 5th through 12th grade.
Nicole came to the guitar recently, just a few years ago when she discovered a Bluegrass workshop here in the lowcountry one day. Nicole is a founding member of the Palmetto Rose Band and lends her amazing vocal talents to the group.She confesses that she has always loved bluegrass and gospel music. While has a love for “all Bluegrass music”, she holds a special place in her heart for Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Recently, Nicole has added banjo to her repertoire, in addition to piano and guitar. Her music goals are to explore the banjo to its fullest and to write and perform more original music. Like Jeff, she also dreams of playing at the Telluride Bluegrass festival some day.
KEN COKER
Ken is the elder statesman and guitar player for the Palmetto Rose Band. Ken became a musician on his 70th birthday with the discovery of a guitar that had previously lived unnoticed and unclaimed, in his garage since the mid 1970’s! Today, after years of music lessons and untold local jam sessions, Ken has developed into the guitar player that provides the “meat and potatoes” of the Palmetto Rose sound. He is known in the band as someone with a very strong sense of rhythm and an amazing ability to pick up songs on the fly because of his excellent musical ear.
Ken says: “What you see is what you get…a guy playing a guitar having more fun than should be allowed!”
FRED SCHROEDER
Fred handles the banjo responsibilities in the band. Fred was born in Waco Texas and was raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. He started picking the guitar and trying to sing like Johnny Cash at age16. In 2016 Fred moved to Hutchinson, Kansas where his neighbor invited him to listen to his daughters play a few folk songs. The neighbor convinced Fred to switch to the banjo. He was also inspired by Steve Martin’s banjo styling. Fred also honed his vocal skills with lessons in college. He says he has forgotten nearly all of his guitar chords, since he started playing banjo!. Fred enjoys busking around Charleston and tolerating Bachelorette parties. He is thrilled to pick in his first band, Palmetto Rose.
Fred’s influences and favorite pickers are: Douglas Dillard, Tony Triska, Hot Rise, The country gentleman, Ralph Stanley, and of course, Flatt & Scruggs & Bill Monroe. He would love to be able to sing like Roy Acuff.
RICK HAMMRICK
Rick plays upright bass bass for the band and holds the steady rhythm that the band has come to depend on. Rick has a vast musical experience in the Low Country all kinds of music including “Old Time” music, Bluegrass and others. Rick has contributed his solid rhythm to many local bands in performances and jams because of his recognized skills, and easy-going personality. Rick has a flair for adding Jazzy riffs and walks to the bands music and helps broaden our sound into the “Near Grass” experience. While Rick does not currently sing with the band, he tells us that this is one of his eventual musical goals!
