David Jack

Dave started playing Banjo at the age of 16. After high-school, Dave played fulltime with Rural Retreat and Station Road before joining the Dixie Flyers. David toured extensively in Canada, recorded 3 albums before leaving the band to return to University. David then joined Bruce County Grass and played the festival and club circuit until the early 90s. Presently Dave resides in Union, Ontario. Dave is currently a nominee for Banjo Player of the Year at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards to be presented at the end of November.

Rich Koop

Rich began playing bass at the age of 16. Playing a variety of genres, Rich played with bands throughout Southern Ontario: Voyager, Interchange and and many studio projects. Rich played alongside his father in the bluegrass bands Sweetwater and the Torchmen. "Koop" resides in Grimsby, Ontario. Rich has been nominated for 2006 CCBA bass player of the year.

Doug de Boer

Doug, born in Burlington, Ontario, started playing guitar at the age of 15. At the age of 16 he formed a bluegrass band named the Golden Bluegrass Boys, then went on to perform with Crossfire, Wheatland County and in 1981, he formed the award-winning band, Grassworks, which disbanded in 1996. Doug's achievements include powerful rhythm, strong lead vocals and being voted "Guitar Player" and "Lead Singer" 5 times and "Entertainer" 3 times at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards. Doug resides in Cambridge, Ontario.

Wayne Ferguson

Wayne, born in Sarnia, Ontario, started playing old time fiddle at the age of 12 and competed in the contest circuit until 1983 when he got hooked on bluegrass music. Wayne played fiddle and or mandolin with Blackwell Sideroad, Blue Mule, Blueridge, and Bluegrass Connection and in 1997 helped to form New Haven which played the festival circuit for 3 years. Wayne joined Hard Ryde in the fall of '99 to add the missing element of fiddle and additional harmony vocals. Wayne's achievements include being voted "Fiddle Player" 5 times and "Mandolin Player" 4 times at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards. Wayne now resides in Gravenhurst, Ontario.

Nick McDonald

Nick, born in Callander, Ontario, started playing guitar at the age of 12, then took up the mandolin at the age of 14. Nick played with his brothers in an Award winning bluegrass/ gospel group called the McDonald Brothers for a period of 16 years until they disbanded in 1997. Recognized as "Mandolin Player" 4 times at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards, Nick contributes masterful playing, strong vocal harmonies and great songwriting to Hard Ryde's original and spirited performances. Nick now resides in Shelburne, Ontario. Nick is currently a nominee for Composer of the Year by the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards to be presented at the end of November.