Ed Schaeffer Guitar and Vocals

Ed, born and raised in Berks County, Pa., began playing classical guitar at the tender age of 25.   This evolved into banjo pickin': Ed played with Mike Turner, Jeff Wooley, and Matt Koch in Reading's Ripe & Ragged Bluegrass band during the 70's.   Ed then turned to the Martin guitar which allowed him to sing and write songs.

Ed moved to Silver Spring, Md. where he has lived for the last 30 years.   Here, he formed his bluegrass band Rattlesnake Hill, named after a ridge in Pine Forge, Pa, where he was born.   A host of Washington DC area pickers have passed through his band including some nationally and regionally known musicians: Fred Travers, Phil Rosenthal, Dan Cassidy, Mark Vann, Mike Phipps, Willie Oldes, Ben Eldridge, Tom McLaughlin, Jack Sanbower, Carl Nelson, Carol Hausner, Warren Reeder, Beardy Bassman, John Relph, Terry Wittenberg, Joe Zauner, Kathy Willis, Dave Goldman, Patrick McAvinue, Scott Walker, Tim Krusic, Tara Linhardt, Dick Smith, Jimmy Fitch, Ron Webb, Mark Baker, JB Hittle, Banjer Dan, Miriam O'Connor, Alex Mitchell, Barb Diederich, Bob Shaw, Tom Mindte, Jim Barnett and others.

Ed played the “Appalachian Jubilee”, a country show in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, for about six years; this show was recorded and radio syndicated. Recordings, such as Hard Drivin', Honeysuckle and Featuring Warren Reeder and others were produced from these live recordings.   Ed has also recorded a host of Fred Moore originals; ten of these were done bluegrass style on an album called 19th Century Man.

Ed has opened for: Mary Chapin Carpenter & John Jennings, Hazel Dickens & Dudley Connell, Pete Kennedy and The Smith Sisters, Berline, Crary, and Hickman, and the Scott Brannon Band.

In addition to Rattlesnake Hill Bluegrass Band, Ed and his partners Barry Wendell and Greg Nelson comprise an acoustic group called All Mixed Up; they've been singing harmonies for over 30 years, and their repertoire includes a mix of swing era jazz/pop standards, rock, folk revival, originals, and show tunes.   All Mixed Up has four albums including a Christmas album: Acoustic Christmas.

Ed also plays acoustic and electric basses in a jazz band called Undercover Jazz, a quintet consisting of piano, drums, guitar, trumpets, and bass.   Undercover Jazz has played in the DC area for over 18 years.

Finally, Ed also plays upright bass in a Cajun Band called Cypress Trio.