Background Information
Coyote Hill, from the mother lode region of California, was created in 2005 by guitarist/singer/songwriter, Richard Sholer, banjo player/ vocalist, Dick Todd, and fiddler/vocalist, Julie Schmidt. Their music is American Roots music, a mix and sometimes a blend of folk, bluegrass, blues, country, swing and jazz. March 2007 marked the release of their debut album, Coyote Hill. Their CD demonstrates the versatility of music styles and musicianship that has led them to their success. Shortly after their release, they were joined by, Clinton Day (bassist/ vocalist) and joined in the fall of 2007 by Rick Barlow (swing fiddle).

Richard Sholer from Sonora, California, known for his solid guitar playing, imaginative songwriting, and also as a sound engineer, has been smack in the middle of the Mother Lode's fertile acoustic music scene for thirty years. He was first inspired to play guitar, after attending his first acoustic music jam and was first given the opportunity when his parents gave him his first guitar when he was twelve years old. First influenced by folk, surf, rock and blues, Richard was later introduced to bluegrass music, which led him on a journey of discovering the American roots of folk, blues, jazz, old-timey, bluegrass and western swing.

In addition to playing guitar, Richard also plays the Dobro, mandolin, harmonicas and has written over fifty songs, twenty of which have been produced and recorded on three albums. Sholer continues to write new songs for the joy and love of it, and it is with joy that he continues to presents his songs with fresh appeal to new and old audiences alike.

From 1995-1999 he led the acoustic all-original sensation, Springfield Crossing.

Most recently in 2008, Richard received great reviews as an actor and musician in the theatrical musical production of Woody Guthrie‚s American Song, playing the part of Woody Guthrie.

Dick Todd from Groveland Ca. via New Zealand plays banjo, guitar and adds dynamic lead and harmony vocals. When Dick performs, he shines as he pours it on with soul. His early influences were also folk and rock‚n roll. While obtaining a degree from the Colorado School of Mines, Dick led a rock‚n roll band, but his interest soon shifted to bluegrass after hearing Earl Scruggs and Doug Dillard. His banjo playing is inventive and he always comes up with a way to play even the trickiest songs. He got his first guitar, by selling his stamp collection, when he was eight years old. Dick Todd is also writing new songs to be recorded on future Coyote Hill CD‚s. Originally from southern California, Dick and his wife built a sailboat and set out for New Zealand where they lived for ten years. Upon returning to the states they discovered the Strawberry Music Festival and decided to make their new home close by near Groveland, CA. Dick and Richard met and soon became friends while playing together in the bluegrass band, Grass Menagerie.

Rick Barlow Originally from Pasadena, CA and now residing in Sonora, CA, Rick is a fabulous swing style fiddler and guitarist who took his first finger picking guitar lesson from David Lindley for only Five-Dollars. After graduating from Pasadena City College, Barlow founded The Great Divide music store in Aspen, Colorado in 1970 and started playing fiddle about one year later when he was 24 years old. His early musical influences were the gypsy swing of Django Reinhardt and Stephan Grapelli, the western swing of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys and has since taken fiddle lessons with Johnny Gimble (Bob Wills). Rick's good nature and fiddle skills are a great addition to Coyotes Hill's swing' n side and also has a lot of fun material to add to the ever-growing Coyote Hill repertoire. Rick moved to Sonora, CA. after meeting his wife at the Strawberry Music Festival, near Yosemite, California.

Clinton Day, from the San Francisco bay area, a professional bass player, Jazz pianist and music teacher, lends his expertise and harmony vocals to the unique sound of Coyote Hill. Clinton has been playing jazz, funk and blues for the past twenty five years and just recently discovered Coyote Hill‚s music. His first teachers were Marc Van Wageningen (Pete Escovido, Cornelius Bumpus) and Paul Jackson (Herbie Hancock). Day began studying music at Columbia College in 1982 under Dr. Rod Harris. He finished his studies at San Jose State University in California receiving a Bachelors of Arts Degree in 1987 and earned a Masters degree in 1990. As an accompanist/ arranger for the Columbia College music program, he has worked with the likes of Bobbie McFerrin, Carl Anderson, Cornelius Bumpus, Claire Fischer, Don Shelton, Grant Geissman, Richie Cole, Marvin McFadden and besides Coyote Hill, is also currently working with the Mic Gillette Band (Tower of Power). Clinton Day is one of the driving forces of Coyote Hill, laying down the foundation on the bass like no other, and is one of the area‚s most sought after session players.

Richard Sholer: vocals, guitar, mandolin and harmonica
Dick Todd: vocals, banjo and guitar.
Clinton Day: bass
Rick Barlow: fiddle, guitar