Meet HalfGrassTrio Band
Brent Hodge
Michael LaVarnway
Stevan Rogers
Dobro/Vocals: I started playing guitar around 13 and was influenced by the “Outlaw Country” musicians (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard). My mandolin playing was prompted by listening to Tim O’Brien and my dobro influences came from Rob Ickes, Jerry Douglas, Joe Walsh and Derek Trucks, which were all great slide guitar players. I also love to sing and featured in many songs.
Stevan Rogers
Michael LaVarnway
Stevan Rogers
Mandolin/Vocals: My obsession with guitar started around age 6. I’ve played many styles over the years...a chance jam session with a bluegrass band prompted a change of direction towards acoustic music that continues today.
Previous projects as a mandolinist/guitarist include SwitchGrass, HalfGrass'd, Sunset Highway Band, Joe & The Wheel Monkeys, and now the four-piece band: HalfGrassTrio.
Dave Hopkins
Michael LaVarnway
Michael LaVarnway
Upright Bass/Vocals: I started taking music lessons when I was 10 (clarinet and sax). I got more into guitar and bass in college and started playing electric bass in bands in Jersey about then. Moved out west, went back to guitar and played rockabilly and blues. Reconnected with an old friend in Portland and played his all-original rock '
Upright Bass/Vocals: I started taking music lessons when I was 10 (clarinet and sax). I got more into guitar and bass in college and started playing electric bass in bands in Jersey about then. Moved out west, went back to guitar and played rockabilly and blues. Reconnected with an old friend in Portland and played his all-original rock 'n roll through the 90's and 00's with Headless Human Clones and Cosmic Ozzies on lead electric guitar. Twists of fate led me back to electric bass and eventually double bass, playing maximum R&B with Papa Dynamite and the Jive, as the 21st century moved along. Several more twists of fate landed me with Orenco Station Band and Joe and the Wheel Monkeys (still active), and guest shots with the original Half Grass'd. The double bass allows me to play virtually any style of music, from the 1600s to the present, and I take full advantage of that - a practice session at home could include anything from Domenico Dragonetti to Willie Dixon to Paul Chambers to John Paul Jones.
Michael LaVarnway
Michael LaVarnway
Michael LaVarnway
Guitar/Vocals: I was raised in Irving Texas (outside of Dallas) and relocated to the Portland area back in 2002. I started playing guitar when I was about 10 years old and spent many Saturday nights with my eyes glued to our Philco tv set watching “The Big D Jamboree” and “The Cowtown Jamboree”. These were shows in the format of “The Gran
Guitar/Vocals: I was raised in Irving Texas (outside of Dallas) and relocated to the Portland area back in 2002. I started playing guitar when I was about 10 years old and spent many Saturday nights with my eyes glued to our Philco tv set watching “The Big D Jamboree” and “The Cowtown Jamboree”. These were shows in the format of “The Grand Ole Opry” and it was instrumental on how I learned to make chords on the guitar. After that, my thoughts were always, "just let me play music", anytime and anywhere and any kind. I always loved bluegrass music with the incredible harmonies, as well as the melody notes of the mandolin, banjo, and dobro. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to play with great musicians and friends in the Portland area over the years.
I have so many influences in music, it’s hard to list them all. Willie Nelson, Chuck berry, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Doc Watson, David Grisman, Tony Rice, Charley Pride, Elvis Presley, Rhonda Vincent, Union Station, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Deep Purple, Three Dog Night, and so many more.