High-powered acoustic music rooted in bluegrass, blues and Texas swing describes the sound of the High Stakes Rollers. Hailing from Austin, Texas, the group has headlined clubs and festivals throughout Texas and has performed on radio and television on numerous occasions.

Banjoist/guitarist Eddie Collins is known worldwide to banjoists as the founder/editor of the banjo trade publication, 5-String Quarterly. A former president of the Central Texas Bluegrass Association, he has authored popular instruction methods for banjo and guitar and writes features and columns for several national music magazines. He was runner-up in the prestigious Texas State Banjo Championships held in May 1999. His guitar playing is prominently featured on his all-original CD, Guitar Slingers & Texas Music. His latest CD, Rise & Shine, received national recognition for the exceptional instrumental work, including a cover story in Banjo NewsLetter and a highlight feature in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine. Eddie does much of the lead singing.

Mandolin player Wes Green spent a year traveling throughout Canada and the United States performing with the well-known Liberty Bluegrass Boys. While firmly rooted in bluegrass, he constantly discovers innovative ways to create new exciting sounds on the mandolin, much of which has been influenced by performing regularly with talented singer-songwriters Danny Santos and Mark Jungers. Wes sings the baritone parts in the group and also adds a touch of fiddle to the Rollers’ sound.

Bassist Clayton Elliott is one of the most solid and energetic upright bass players around. Along with fellow band member, Eddie, he played for two years in the popular regional band Wyldwood. He also helped found another stellar bluegrass group, The Blackland Prairie Boys. A great guitarist as well, he won the Flatpick Championships at Hugo, Oklahoma two times during the 1980s. Clayton sings high tenor.

“Few people would be unmoved by the emotional power of this group’s vocals … The level of musicianship is absolutely top-notch," says Bill Gatlin in the trade publication for the Bay Area Bluegrass Association. Come see for yourself why the High Stakes Rollers are held in such high esteem by those enjoying acoustically-driven music with abundant energy.

For more information, contact Eddie Collins: 8407 Loralinda Dr., Austin, TX 78753. 512-836-8255. tuneman@austin.rr.com. www.eddiecollins.biz.