CHRIS RUUD: Guitar / Vocals
Singer, songwriter, and guitar man for Lonesome Otis. A musician all his life, but living the bluegrass lifestyle for over 20 years. Known in the CA Southland as the leader of Crystal River 1991-1996, and The Bluegrass Redliners from 1996-2006. Chris' influences are Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and The Stanley Brothers.

Traditional bluegrass is his favorite but he has also has a love for today's bluegrass. Chris has years of experience performing at festivals in the western US and with The Bluegrass Redliners.










STEVE STOUT: Fiddle / Vocals
Steve grew up in Southern Utah and began playing violin at the age of 6. Over the next 14 years he studied classical music. At the age of 17 he was selected as 1 of 2 young people to represent the state of Utah in "America's Youth in Concert" which toured the eastern U.S. and western Europe for 4 weeks. After two years of college in northern Utah, he gave up a full ride music scholarship to finish school in Southern California where he put his violin and banjo in the closet and there they sat for 18 years.
It was only recently that he found his love for music again and was lucky enough to join forces with the good folks at Southern Nevada Bluegrass Music Society and SWBA. Steve has been an avid bluegrasser for about 6 years now.






CHRIS CERNA: Mandolin / Vocals
Chris started playing piano at the age of five. He started recording albums and thanks to his beloved mom who has passed on he was able to record ten albums within six years, which could be considered a miracle since Chris has been blind since the age of 18 mos.
Bluegrass came into his life around seventh grade. He played mandolin for High Tide Band, which was his first bluegrass band back in Hawaii. When people ask him, “Why Bluegrass?” for him it's because of the tight harmonies, great instrumentals and meaningful lyrics. At Huckfinn 2008, which was his first festival, he had a chance to go up on stage and play with Rhonda Vincent. His Bluegrass influences are IIIrd Tyme Out, The Lonesome River Band, Bill Monroe and Chris Thile.



CELESTE CERNA: Bass
Celeste has just entered into the world of bluegrass but has already become an integral part of LO. She provides a solid, hard-driving rhythm for the band and we're happy to have her.

She has been playing jazz music for 2 years with her husband, Chris. When not playing bluegrass, Chris and Celeste can be seen performing jazz all over Southern CA.













Gilbert Hancock: Banjo / Vocals
Gilbert Hancock (5-string banjo) began pursuing his interest in Bluegrass music and entertainment at the age of seven in Florida when he started playing the 5-string banjo.

He began performing on stage at Bluegrass festivals in 1977. His banjo and natural talent has lead Gilbert along to new places and people and love for entertaining compelled him to enter a different stage, that of the theatre and television.

Throughout life Gilbert has been blessed to meet and perform for a wide variety of people in some interesting venues.


GIB: Mascot
Every band needs a mascot and we have the best. Gib is a wonderful dog and even sits on stage with us most of the time. He's extremely friendly and is trained to help Chris Cerna get around. he is one of Chris' best friends and we're glad to have him with us.

If you see him around, give him a pat on the head and say hi.