Rusty Sal
Made up of an all-star cast of some of Baltimore’s strongest Americana musicians, Rusty Sal is a sure-fire good time for lovers of classic country. The groove is provided by acclaimed upright bassist Alex Lacquement ( Charm City Junction), the twang comes from the impressive lead guitar work of Lucas Chohany, and sky high Dolly Parton-esque harmonies from singer-songwriter Letitia VanSant top it all off. After getting together as friends for a few years to practice singing three-part harmonies, the trio decided to book a few gigs with a drummer, which soon blossomed into Baltimore’s popular honky-tonk two-stepping nights. Adding the grooviest drummer, EJ Shaull-Thompson (The Bellevederes, Caleb Stine & the Brakemen), into the mix was obvious choice to make this band sparkle and to get the dancers moving. The band aims to bring a new generation of fans to the songwriting of Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, George Jones and other old favorites. Get out on the dance floor and join Rusty Sal in the renaissance of classic country in the mid-Atlantic.
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Sandy Robson aka Letitia VanSant:
Letitia VanSant's lyrics are at once personally and politically relevant. Hailed as one of Baltimore's strongest songwriters (BmoreArt), her distinct voice is fortified by sparse indie folk and Americana arrangements.
In her music as in her life, VanSant’s has always sought to wrestle with worthy questions. Before her return to Baltimore, VanSant earned a Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues concentration from Macalester College (St. Paul, MN). Afterwards she worked for the Obama campaign in Detroit, and then did environmental organizing in Baltimore. Five years of work with a progressive advocacy group landed her in Washington DC. On weekends, she reflected on the state of society through her songs, earning a regional following in coffee shops and clubs.
Alex Lacquement:
Rooted in the sounds of American-born music Baltimore based bassist, Alex Lacquement has crafted a unique style that is dazzling, lyrical, and transcends musical genres. Whether on stage playing jazz, old-time, bluegrass, or playing with singer song-writers his tone is unmistakable and joy for performing is obvious and infectious. In addition to being an energetic, assertive, and groovy ensemble player and imaginative soloist, he is a skilled arranger, composer and producer.
Alex has toured across North America playing at performing arts centers and festivals with the WAMMIE-awarded Bumper Jacksons, as well as the critically acclaimed acoustic roots quartet Charm City Junction, Ken and Brad Kolodner, and Letitia VanSant. He has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Birchmere, Le Poisson Rouge, The Gordon Center, Wheeler Opera House, Mountain Stage, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Walnut Valley Festival, Grey Fox, Winter Jazz, California World Festival, Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, and more.
Luke Chohany:
Originally from outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Lucas Chohany is often considered among the top folk musicians rooted in the Baltimore/DC Area. He was previously the guitarist and mandolinist of the world-renowned April Verch Band and currently performs with the internationally renowned hammer dulcimer/banjo duo Ken and Brad Kolodner, the Bumper Jacksons, Uncle Baltimore, and Baltimore Swing Drop and can be heard on diverse recordings ranging from the moody, folky inflections of String Sound to the soundtrack to Sid Meier's Civilization VI.
Letitia VanSant's lyrics are at once personally and politically relevant. Hailed as one of Baltimore's strongest songwriters (BmoreArt), her distinct voice is fortified by sparse indie folk and Americana arrangements.
In her music as in her life, VanSant’s has always sought to wrestle with worthy questions. Before her return to Baltimore, VanSant earned a Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues concentration from Macalester College (St. Paul, MN). Afterwards she worked for the Obama campaign in Detroit, and then did environmental organizing in Baltimore. Five years of work with a progressive advocacy group landed her in Washington DC. On weekends, she reflected on the state of society through her songs, earning a regional following in coffee shops and clubs.
Alex Lacquement:
Rooted in the sounds of American-born music Baltimore based bassist, Alex Lacquement has crafted a unique style that is dazzling, lyrical, and transcends musical genres. Whether on stage playing jazz, old-time, bluegrass, or playing with singer song-writers his tone is unmistakable and joy for performing is obvious and infectious. In addition to being an energetic, assertive, and groovy ensemble player and imaginative soloist, he is a skilled arranger, composer and producer.
Alex has toured across North America playing at performing arts centers and festivals with the WAMMIE-awarded Bumper Jacksons, as well as the critically acclaimed acoustic roots quartet Charm City Junction, Ken and Brad Kolodner, and Letitia VanSant. He has performed at The Kennedy Center, The Birchmere, Le Poisson Rouge, The Gordon Center, Wheeler Opera House, Mountain Stage, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Walnut Valley Festival, Grey Fox, Winter Jazz, California World Festival, Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, and more.
Luke Chohany:
Originally from outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Lucas Chohany is often considered among the top folk musicians rooted in the Baltimore/DC Area. He was previously the guitarist and mandolinist of the world-renowned April Verch Band and currently performs with the internationally renowned hammer dulcimer/banjo duo Ken and Brad Kolodner, the Bumper Jacksons, Uncle Baltimore, and Baltimore Swing Drop and can be heard on diverse recordings ranging from the moody, folky inflections of String Sound to the soundtrack to Sid Meier's Civilization VI.