DriveTime

DriveTime is a talented Twin Cities-based bluegrass band ready to entertain. Combining a respect for tradition with an ear for innovation, DriveTime provides high-energy instrumental work and moving vocal arrangements designed to please anyone who appreciates traditional acoustic music. Andy Thompson (upright bass), Carl Blanz (mandolin), Mark Regnier (guitar), and Graham Sones (banjo) perform great bluegrass music with excitement and feeling.

DriveTime has performed at many venues, including county fairs, concert in the park series, coffeehouses, threshing bees and wedding receptions. The band members are veterans of the Minnesota bluegrass scene. Andy was a member of the River Basin Bluegrass and Inside Track bands with Matt Thompson (Andy's brother and member of Monroe Crossing). Carl Blanz was a member of the band Bitter Ridge. Mark Regnier was a member of the 52-Pickup band. Graham Sones was a member of The Raccoon Mountain Boys, Woodrush, and most recently Monroe Crossing. All four members of DriveTime sing lead and harmony.

The band's debut CD The Bluegrass Road was recorded during the winter and spring of 2004 at 8-Fold Path Recording Studio in Shorewood, MN. The CD contains five original tracks.