ohn Moore and Steve Spurgin joined forces with a trio of bluegrass powerhouses in the early 1990 ’ s and the result was a band called “ California .”

California was Byron Berline , champion fiddler ; Dan Crary , flatpicking guitar master ; John Hickman , banjo legend ; Steve Spurgin , hit songwriter , vocalist and bassist and John Moore adding expert mandolin , guitar and vocals . Individually these artists were and are masters at their respective instruments , collectively they were ambassadors of a traditional music form throughout the country and around the world . Their music began with the roots of country and bluegrass and expanded on those traditions to create an original sound that is still unique today .

California met great critical acclaim and was the International Bluegrass Music Association ’ s Instrumental Band of the Year three years in a row .

Today , Moore makes his

living both as an equine clinician and as a musician and has become well known in both fields . On the horse side , he tours the world as an equine clinician , conducting clinics for riding schools , private organizations , mounted police departments and major equine events . He has become well known for rehabilitating horses with behavioral issues .

Musically , his performances have led him throughout the U . S ., Canada , Europe and Japan , as well as into the studio doing radio and television commercials , along with movie sound tracks and sessions for other artists . Moore was also the mandolinist

, guitarist and vocalist for the internationally acclaimed band Bluegrass Etc .

A native son of the Lone Star State , Steve Spurgin ’ s professional career has covered the gamut . He is a former

Nashville staff-writer for Gene Watson and Reba McEntire and has received a BMI writers ’ award , three IBMA Band of the Year awards , and is a “ New Folk ” winner at the Kerrville

Folk Festival . He has performed and toured with Wild Oats ,

Cheyenne , Byron Berline ’ s band Sundance , Mason Williams ,

Freddy Fender , The Limeliters , Bluegrass Etc . and the bluegrass super-group California . His rock-solid bass provides the foundation every band requires .

The first time you heard Rick Faris might have been playing guitar with the Faris Family Band , but his mandolin skills were part of what made Special Consensus earn its name . After six years , one Grammy-Nomination and two

IBMA Awards he switched back home to guitar and the band picked up another three IBMA Awards and a second

Grammy-Nomination . Rick spent a total of 11 years with the globetrotting Special Consensus .

This weekend , he will sit in with Spurgin and Moore in tribute to both Byron Berline and John Hickman .

IBF