Faith & Practice Band

Faith & Practice evolved from a group of friends from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who had been playing "living room music" together for years.  In  1998 several of them decided to form a group and take it on the road, thus Faith & Practice was born.  They enjoy sharing their love of music with others in informal concerts for community groups, campgrounds, fundraisers, parties, conferences, etc.   The eclectic repertoire includes a wide range of folk songs, bluegrass, gospel, pop, and original songs. The group encourages audiences to sing along, dance, and most of all, HAVE FUN!  Family venues are a favorite, which includes a number of children’s songs. 
         
The group has one CD "Not Too Serious" which was described by one listener as having "Joan Baez/Alison Krauss-type vocals...and a song selection ranging from Carter Family and Bill Monroe numbers, to gospel, to a fiddle tune medley, to a couple of original pieces written by group members themselves...all done with the band's own stamp of style."  Another CD, “But Seriously, Folks” has just been released.

Faith & Practice has appeared at the Mercer Museum Folk Festival in Doylestown, Pa and is a regular at First Night in Bethlehem, Pa. The musicians consist of Gretchen Castle on a wide range of percussive instruments, wild man Gene Taylor on fiddle and harmonica, Rich Laughlin on lead guitar, Dave Crosman on rhythm guitar, and David Budmen on guitar, banjo and bass.  The vocals are shared, creating wonderful harmonies and diverse sounds. 

BIOS:

Gretchen Castle has nearly always been in one vocal group or another,including concert choirs, madrigal groups, barber shop quartets, and a cathedral choir.  She has performed and soloed in the AnnaCrusis Women’s Choir in Philadelphia and returns each summer to the Chautauqua Choir in New York state.  She has taught Music Together classes for pre-school aged children and their parents.  Gretchen is a member of the Bucks County Folk Song Society.

Gene Taylor started his formal music training as a youth but abandoned it as he acquired skills on the harmonica and violin in college.  As a result the group is lucky to have his infectious enthusiasm and proficiency on both instruments.  Gene is also a member of the local rock band Stone Age.

Rich Laughlin has performed extensively over the last 20 years.  In the fall of 1993 he was cast in the Harry Chapin musical "Cotton Patch Gospel" at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Hopewell, NJ.   He was a member of the Finnish folk music group "SISU".   As a longtime member of the Bucks County Folksong Society, he has performed with them and as a soloist at festivals and nursing homes..

Dave Crosman  had formal music training in the choir and on the trumpet while in school.  Early in high school he switched to the guitar and hasn’t looked back since.  He is exceptional at leading sing-alongs.

David Budmen is our newest member. He brings a wealth of folk music experience spanning over 30 years, including a stint with Pete Seeger and the Clearwater ship that sails the Hudson River.

For bookings please contact Rich Laughlin at musicolic@yahoo.com or call 215-536-2677.