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Since 1995 Ron Spears and Within Tradition have been performing a very unique and traditional bluegrass show that features original material and awesome showmanship. Through the years this quintet has featured some of the finest musicians to ever grace the bluegrass stage. Their highly unique and original sound has been featured at concerts, clubs and folk and bluegrass festivals throughout the Western United States and Canada.

This very exciting quintet becomes more in demand every season. Always dressed to the 10’s, this band will deliver a crowd-pleasing performance all festival attendees will remember for many years to come.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and entertainer extraordinaire are just a few words to describe this great bluegrass performer. Ron has thirty years experience in the acoustic music business.  He began a career in bluegrass music at age seventeen and has spent the rest of his adult life chasing the bluegrass dream. 1999 marked Ron's first year as leader of his own band. His talents have graced the early musical adventures of bands like Cottonwood and The Bluegrass Conspiracy. He plays all the instruments associated with bluegrass and has been praised for his high lead and tenor singing.

Born and raised near Fort Wayne, Indiana, Charlie started seriously playing bluegrass in 1974 on the campus of Lake Superior State. He began playing guitar at the young age of nine and has received high praises for his solid rhythm playing and tasteful flatpicking.  His past band credits include High Strung, Buzzards Roost, the Slide Mountain Boys and Feather River. He's a member of the CBA and is vice president of the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association.
 

MIKE TATAR
Fiddle and Vocals

Mike is only in his early twenty's and has graduated from College with a  degree in music. He can play a number of different music styles but prefers the driving bluegrass style best. Mike has performed throughout the United States as fiddler and guitar player for many Country and Bluegrass groups. Santa Cruz, CA is his home at this time.
 

JOE ASH
Bass and Vocals

Joe brings a strong third generation love for traditional bluegrass as well as providing a strong never faulting bass line to the band. He makes his home in Bakersfield, CA. the same place such musical greats as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard began there famous musical careers. When not performing with the band he can be seen playing guitar with So, California's Pacific Crest band.

PHIL BOSTIC
Banjo and Vocals

Phil is an Oklahoma native that has chosen to commute to the west coast and perform with the band. He is also a graduate of South Plains College. Phil plays with his dad's bluegrass band around the mid-west and has performed with several national acts including Dave Harvey's band Wild and Blue.