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Bruce Rupert
(mandolin, clawhammer banjo, harmonica, mountain dulcimer, vocals)
Growing up in eastern Pennsylvania, Bruce comes from a musical family. His mother studied opera, his father was an accomplished cornet player, and his great grandfather was an old-time fiddler. On any given Sunday afternoon, one might hear anything from Johnny Cash, Peter Paul and Mary, Sousa march tunes or Handel's Messiah coming from the family stereo. At an early age, Bruce discovered songwriters like Bob Dylan and Harry Chapin, and was later influenced by songwriters like Robin and Linda Williams and Andy M Stewart. He first heard Bluegrass and old-time music while in his early teens, and soon learned to play the guitar and clawhammer banjo. Influenced by bands like the Red Clay Ramblers and The Hot Mud Family, Bruce formed his own old-time string bands while in high school and performed at local events in the Quakertown, PA area. In the years that followed, Bruce was a member of the "Fresh Vegetables", a Lehigh Valley based old-time band and playeed as a duet with fellow singer-songwriter Jose Pimienta-Bey while at Gettysburg College where he polished his harmony skills. For over 2 decades Bruce has been involved in songwriting and in performing Bluegrass music. Hearing and 'experiencing' John Duffey of the Seldom Scene was a defining moment in his musical career. Another major influece is Tim O'Brien. Bruce has been a member of bluegrass bands Willow Creek, Richland Station and founded Mountain Heritage with his cousin and fellow member Tim Scheetz in the fall of 2001. He released a solo CD of his original material in 1999 entitled 'So Far From Her' and has appeared on Willow Creek's CD 'Remembering' and also on Patti Davis & Bandits 2001 release 'Lonely Street. He lives in Stewartsville with his wife Doreen and son Daniel.
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Tim Scheetz
(guitar, vocals)
Born in Quakertown, PA, Tim grew up listening to all types of music including folk, country, big band, pop, rock and jazz. He was facinated at an early age with the hymns and other music he heard in church and credits his mother (who sang and played piano) with getting him started singing harmony. Tim started playing guitar at age eight, influenced by Roger Miller, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Don Mclean and other artists of the 1960's. At age twelve, Tim started playing alto saxophone in school and won awards at his high school jazz band competitions. After high school, Tim played sax in various rythym & blues bands including 'The Great Saturday Nite Swindle'. One morning while driving to work he heard 'Walking in Jerusalem' by Ricky Skaggs and was immediately turned on to acoustic music. He then re-kindled his love for the guitar and went searching for bluegrass wherever it could be found. Tim joined 'Willow Creek' in 1997 and 'Richland Station' in 1999 with Bruce Rupert (who by the way is Tim's second cousin ) Tim lives in Haycock Township, Pa with his wife Judy and has 4 children: Paul, Aaron, Isaac and KatieAnne.
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Mike Terris
(banjo, dobro, vocals)
Mike was first introduced to bluegrass music when he saw Flatt and Scruggs in a live performance back in 1963. He was attending art school at the time, studying commercial airbrush illustration, a skill he continues to use professionally. During art school, he also began building instruments and has continued the craft up to the present time, having constructed custom instruments for some very prominent performers. Mike feels uniquely fortunate to have been able to support himself comfortably throughout his life by combining art, music and luthiere.
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Matt Koch
(bass, penny-whistle, accordian, Marx-o-phone, vocals)
Bassist for Mountain Heritage, Matt is a multi-instrumentalist who enjoys playing a wide range of musical styles. You may see him playing Dobro or penny-whistle and is often asked to provide instrumental workshops at festivals . Matt has been a member of 'The Blueridge Mountain Boys', Whetstone Bridge and plays with the 'Mike Stanley Band on a regular basis. He was featured on Jack Sanbower's CD playing accordian on 'Polka in your Eye' and has recently produced an album of gospel songs for singer James Gafgen titled 'Southern Gospel Glory'.
Marty Smith
(fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals)
Marty grew up in southern Bucks County, PA. He picked up the guitar a 8 years old and played mostly loud electric rock and blues. In 1973, he hitch-hiked to Union Grove, NC and discovered bluegrass. After he got home he stole his sisters 3/4 violin with no bow and ran away to his father's cabin in Pine Creek, PA to learn how to play it. He stayed up there until he met Brenda Matlack. They have been married since 1977. After 4 years in Colorado playing bluegrass, they came home to Pennsylvania and moved to Quakertown. He and his friends played every week at the Sellersville Hotel in an open jam that became very popular. Through his friend Matt Koch, Marty was introduced to Mountain Heritage and became their fiddler in the summer of 2016. He still resides in Quakertown and is one of the few remaining Tool and Die makers left in Eastern PA.
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