The Shed Boys

The origins of The Shed Boys go back to 1996. At that time Ben and Glenn met up, having been recruited to help support a fledgling folk-pop band "Wishing Stone". Though the band's attempts to make it big were ill-fated, during its short lifespan of a year or two Ben and Glenn and the ever tortured mandolinist/guitarist John Jerin formed a strong kinship. The band did disintegrate, with each member going their separate ways (Ben being so distraught, he left to live in Italy for two years). One bright spot from the whole mess was the recording of a fine set of songs for children titled "Bugs Unplugged".

John and Glenn eventually made amends and began exploring the deep stream of Old-Time fiddle tunes, Anglo-American folk ballads and Bluegrass. By the time Ben had returned to the States, John and Glenn had managed to learn a tune or two. Ben was intrigued, and soon the band "Little Rusty" formed. The group was welcomed into the vibrant Seattle folk music scene and began making waves at local coffee houses and festivals. A few high points of the band's tenure included surviving a long weekend at Strathcona Provincial Park Lodge with a group of twenty young outdoor leadership trainees (COLTIES) and a brief tour of the Netherlands, Germany and the Czech Republic. However, fate would step in and scatter the boys again. After being stalked by a former "Wishing Stone" band mate, ripped-off mercilessly by an unscrupulous recording studio owner, and spending all their earnings on women and booze, the boys called it quits. Glenn headed to Amsterdam, Ben took a day job, and John left behind his life of leisure on the south-end of Seattle.

A bit later Glenn was kicked out of the Netherlands (for lack of gainful employment) and returned stateside. He hadn't forgotten his mates, and in fact had managed to find time to hone his chops while exploring all that Amsterdam had to offer. He immediately beat the bushes to find Ben and John, and after some arm-twisting convinced them to agree to start playing music seriously again. The boys jammed and drank for weeks, but soon realized that although they were "getting it" their sound lacked something. Glenn then sought out an old buddy from his highbrow Seattle Symphony Chorale days, bassist Adam Rauch, to fill in on the low-end. Although initially reticent to embrace the Blue-grasser lifestyle, Adam soon came to appreciate the virtuosity and emotional impact of the music. And, The Shed Boys were born! 

Sadly, John was soon lost to the ease of matrimony, fatherhood, and the suburbs of Madison, Wisconsin. After months of searching for a skilled mandolinist, John was replaced by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Stan Wentzel. Stan proved to be a great fit, and brought some much needed sanity into the mix. But, as life goes, and itching for a change of scenery, Stan and his family relocated to southern Mexico.

As fortune would have it, the effervescent and attuned mandolinist, Jacob "Jake" Fleisher, who while seeking a suitable musical outfit, was thrust upon the boys one dark and late night during a benign yet tragic house party. He joined the boys shortly thereafter, and has been tearing it up ever since.

With the helpful addition of the awe-worthy Right Reverend Verlon Brown on harmonica, the boys have put together an impressive repertoire; interweaving old standards with interpretations of contemporary classics and original songs. Their sound is exciting, rich, and laced with humor and tragedy. The boys have taken it all in stride, and in spite of themselves, they continue to create fine music; always looking forward to entertaining young and old alike.