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VIRTUAL STRANGERS
The Virtual Strangers were formed in 1992 in Napa, California.
Originally, the members were Mike Tatar Sr. on banjo, Mike Tatar Jr. on
fiddle, Jon Cherry on mandolin, Jerry Harwood on guitar, and Yvonne
Tatar on bass. Given their location the band played many gigs for
wineries, private parties, street fairs and mini festivals. Due to
corporate downsizing the Cherrys in '94, and the Tatars in '96,
relocated to San Diego County. Since moving to the San Diego area the
Virtual Strangers have reformed and performed at many local events. The
band currently consists of Mike Sr., Jon, Yvonne, Kit Birkett and when
he's in town, Mike Jr..
The "Strangers" sound is a mixture of traditional, Stanley, Monroe, and
Flatt and Scruggs material with more progressive material from Blue
Highway, Lonesome River Band and some Del McCoury. Usually a four
piece, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and bass the are still able to produce
nice three part harmony with all musicians singing on one song or
another.
Mike Tatar sr. grew up in Detroit where he learned to play guitar in
the 60's and with his brother started a rock band which he played in
until he was drafted into the Army 1970. During his Army days he met
Yvonne Higby of Newark California. Upon his discharge he moved to
Newark where he and Yvonne were wed. He has been playing banjo since
1977 when he discovered it and bluegrass music. Beside the banjo, he
plays guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals, and also plays the
resophonic guitar.. He has also played with "In Cahoots", "Snowy River"
and has accompanied many contest fiddlers in Northern California, He
was also made an honorary "Piney Creek Weasel" by the former
bandleader, the late Rick Abrams. Mike also hosted the "Bluegrass
Central" on the internet at world music webcast for 4 1/2 years. Mike
was the President of the San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS) for 4 years
and has been the Membership Chairman for the past 7 years. He was also
the Co-Chair of the Summergrass Bluegrass Festival in Vista, Calfornia
for two years.
Jon Cherry started playing bluegrass in the late 60's. Jon's guitar and mandolin work
added strength to the bands "Union Creek" and "Snowy River".
Dissatisfied with many of the mandolins that he has played he decided
to construct his own "Cherry" Mandolin. Jon plays mandolin, guitar, and
sings harmony and lead vocals with Virtual Strangers.
Yvonne Tatar plays the stand up bass and sings harmony vocals. She played bass in
high school until graduation. After having children she returned to the
bass playing with "In Cahoots" and the California Old Time Fiddlers
Association accompanying many fiddlers in both performance and
contests. Her father, grandfather, and great grandfather played old
time fiddle.
The newest member, on guitar, is Kit Birkett. Kit has been playing bluegrass since the
mid 60's. His rhythm playing adds a rock steady beat to the band and
gives it the drive a bluegrass band needs. Kit also shares lead vocals.
His band credits include the "Squirrel Barkers" and most recently the San
Diego band "Down the Road", winners of the 2001 Southwest Bluegrass Play-offs.
The band are members of the San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS), North
County Bluegrass and Folk Club (NCBFC), California Bluegrass
Association (CBA), Southwest Bluegrass Association (SWBA), and the
International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA).
Virtual Strangers have played at a number of wineries in both Napa,
California, and Temecula, California. The have played at the
Summergrass Bluegrass Festival, www.summergrass.net, in Vista, Ca. The Julian Bluegrass
Festival, in Julian, Ca., The Brawley Cattle Call in Brawley, Ca. The
Parkfield Bluegrass Festival, (Camp Rude), in Parkfield, Ca., the Sam
Hinton Folk Festival in San Diego, Ca, Sea World, San Diego, Ca.. The
band has also opened for Rhonda Vincent and the Rage and have shared
the stage with Bluegrass Etc., California, the Dillards, Nashville
Bluegrass Band, Lost Highway, and Fragment. The Strangers took 1st place at the 2007 Arizona Bluegrass Band contest it Wickenburg, Az.
Not known to many, the band has an alter ego named the Tatar Patch
Bluegrass Buddies where they perform an educational set at schools,and
children's music camps and programs.
When you're looking for bluegrass in San Diego the Virtual Strangers won't be to far away!
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