Columbia

COLUMBIA

COLUMBIA is a Spokane-based Bluegrass band. The band was put together by Bob Asbury in the spring of 2006. COLUMBIA is a full 5-piece bluegrass complement featuring traditional bluegrass acoustic instrumentation with three-part vocal harmonies.

Steve Beagly (Northwest music scene) writes: "Columbia represents a fresh new sound for those who love traditional bluegrass music with a creative bend. The band is made up of veteran talent including: high-energy lead-vocalist Doug Bond; veteran banjo artist Bob Asbury; mandolin virtuoso Dr. Steve Bauer; multi-talented fiddler/instrumentalist Terry Ludikar; and acoustic bassist, Judy Rasmussen. This band delivers a great combination of acoustic talent complemented with the high-lonesome sounds of bluegrass harmony."

DOUG BOND (guitar/lead vocalist) Doug represents the foundation that COLUMBIA is built on. Doug delivers powerful vocals of a caliber not often found in the Northwest or for that matter anywhere. Doug started in acoustic music operating a music store in Oregon City. He soon joined the band GREAT NORTHERN PLAINS and worked and traveled with the group for about four years. Doug now lives in Sandpoint Idaho. In addition to playing with COLUMBIA, Doug does studio vocal-work and has produced solo and dual projects with his wife Kim.

BOB ASBURY (Banjo/vocals) has been playing Bluegrass for over 30 years (25 years with a CUSTERS GRASS BAND). CGB was the first Bluegrass band in the State of Washington to form east of the Cascade Mountains. In 1976 they recorded an album with world renowned fiddler Mark O'Connor. It was the first Bluegrass album recorded in the state of Washington. During the late-seventies through the mid-eighties CGB played many festivals, shows and colleges. In April 2006 Bob initiated a new band hence, COLUMBIA.

STEVE BAUER (mandolin/vocals) moved to Spokane from North Carolina in 2005. Steve is a doctor of veterinarian medicine and has been playing mandolin for over thirty years. Before he moved to North Carolina some 20 years ago Steve toured with a bluegrass band called. EVERYBODY & HIS BROTHER. This band was formed in the early 70s in the Ft Collins area where Steve also played with a host of new bluegrass talent including Tim O'Brien, Peter Wernnick, and Charlie Sawtell.

TERRY LUDIKER (fiddle/mandolin) is the newest member. Terry is a well known and respected acoustic musician in the Northwest and plays guitar, mandolin and fiddle equally well. Most recently Terry played and traveled for about ten years with a band called NORTHERN CROSS. Terry was an original member of THE BOTTOM DOLLAR BOYS a bluegrass band that was formed by WSU grassers back in the early 1980's. Terry comes from a musical family his brother Tony is a three-time National fiddle champion.

JUDY RASMUSSEN plays acoustic bass in the band and is the least traveled musician of the group. Judy is a pencil portrait artist, and educator. Although Judy is relatively new to the Bluegrass genre, she has played acoustic bass for many years in various Northwest ensembles and bands.