Larry Carlin, Claudia Hampe, Dave Earl
Photos by Mike Melnyk
KEYSTONE STATION TRIO
When not performing as the five-piece traditional bluegrass band Keystone Station, the Keystone Station Trio plays a variety of country and bluegrass songs. The Trio was built upon the duo Keystone Crossing. Larry Carlin and Claudia Hampe have been performing together since 1996, singing the songs of the brother duos from the early days of country and bluegrass music. They have shared the stage with Ralph Stanley, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, The Laurel Canyon Ramblers, and many others. In the winter of 2001 they formed the Keystone Station band, and a few years later Dave Earl joined the ensemble on mandolin. The full band is still active, but on occasion these members perform just as a threesome.
The repertoire of the Keystone Station Trio is based on the songs the Louvin, Everly and Delmore Brothers as well as Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys and the Stanley Brothers. With taut, three-part harmonies, and hot instrumental picking on acoustic instruments, the Keystone Station Trio is steeped in the country and bluegrass tradition.
KEYSTONE STATION TRIO MEMBERS
Larry Carlin -- Larry is a performer, producer, and writer of bluegrass in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally from King of Prussia, PA, he has been living in Sausalito for 27 years, and he plays acoustic guitar. He performs in four bands (this one, Keystone Crossing, Dr. Elmo & Wild Blue, The Whutknotts), was the founder and host for ten years of the long-running Marin Bluegrass Jam, produced the bluegrass series called Bluegrass Gold at Sweetwater in Mill Valley for eight years, and occasionally writes movie reviews for the Movie Magazine International radio show. He is a member of the California Bluegrass Association and the Northern California Bluegrass Society. He plays a 1991 Martin J-40M.
Claudia Hampe -- Claudia hails from Radnor, PA, and has been living in and working as a realtor in Mill Valley for over 30 years. She sang in folk groups in high school, and was in the Marin County band Rowdy & The Rivets many years back during the "Urban Cowboy Scare" of the early '80s. Claudia plays rhythm guitar and sings the beautiful parts that make the rest of the members of Keystone Crossing/Station sound so good. Her guitar of choice is a 1997 Collings OM-2H.
Dave Earl -- a lifelong musician and a native Californian, Dave took up bluegrass mandolin in 1998. In addition to the Keystone bands, he performs his solo American Roots Music show at Fisherman's Wharf in SF. He's also performed with Carolina Special, The Alhambra Valley Band, Cabin Fever, and The Earl Brothers. He's played onstage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Bluegrass By the River, Wolf Mountain, CBA Father's Day, and SFBOT. He plays a 1992 Flatiron F-5 mandolin, and he resides in San Francisco with his wife Janet.