THE HISTORY OF KRAZY KIRK and the HILLBILLIES

 In 2001, we performed a series of Symphony Concerts around the United States in a series called"RED, WHITE & BLUEGRASS". We  performed with the Tulsa Philharmonic in Oklahoma, The Houston Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony and San Antonio Symphony in Texas, the Grand Rapids Symphony in Michigan and the Long Beach Symphony in California.

Photo: Billy and the Hillbillies in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in July 2001.

In February of 2002, Anders Swanson became a sub for the band playing

bass and added a fun element to the show.

In this photo, Anders is posing with Billy Chicken, who played an important part in our shows when we did the infamous "CHICKEN LAUNCH" by launching a chicken across the stage from the upper stage left balcony, [better known as Walt's Booth] onto the opposite side of the stage. All while Rick played "Chicken With It's Head Cut Off".

 In 2003, Evan Marshall left the band and was replaced by  Rick Storey on banjo and Dennis filling in on the mandolin [and fiddle].

Rick was a great addition with the high energy of banjo added to each show.

    Dana's show had played two days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) with Billy Hill and the Hillbillies playing the other five days.  

It was decided that the Billy Hill Show would go to seven days a week with 35 shows a week.    

  In order to arrange this task and still allow the show's castmembers to have two days a week off,  three  Hillbilly teams were created.   

 There have been tons of other team combinations over the years using subs.

Helping over the years were many, many wonderful subs who filled in when needed including: Kevin Gregg [Billy Red] on guitar and lead, Cory Rouse [Billy Barney] on Guitar and lead, Denny Moynahan on guitar and lead, Denny Hardwick on guitar and lead, Barry Cogert on bass, Rick Dunham on bass, banjo and guitar, Jonny Ray Bartel on slap bass, Arshag Chookarian on guitar and washboard, Dave Eastly on bass and banjo, Phil Ward on guitar, Keith Rosier, on bass, Eric Brenton on fiddle, and Farley the Fiddler(of course, on fiddle).   

Anders Swanson   on bass and fiddle

Dennis Fetchet  on fiddle and mandolin

Kirk Wall,  lead on guitar and fiddle

Rick Storey  on banjo and guitar 

This team performed on 

Sundays and Mondays.

This is the team that eventually became known as Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.

John David on guitar;
John Marshall on bass and fiddle;
Evan Marshall on mandolin and fiddle;

John Eaden , leadon guitar;

 and a really tiny fiddle.

This team played on 
Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

 With the departure of Evan Marshall, the Newer Green Team was created
 

John Marshall, John Eaden, 
John David and Duane Michaels
or as we like to call them; 
The Three Johns and Duane.

Kirk Wall, lead on guitar and fiddle, 
Dennis Fetchet on mandolin and fiddle, 

Duane Michaels on Mandolin and fiddle 

John Marshall on bass and fiddle.

This team performed on 

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.