About Us

               
Darla Evans adds the fourth dimension to Northwest Territory. Tasteful and solid bass playing is only a small part of her contribution. She is a powerful lead vocalist and adds the fourth part to the quartets. Her exuberance and vitality for the music come through on every note she plays and sings.

Radford Vance brings a variety of traditional bluegrass banjo styles to Northwest Territory. Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, and Don Reno are very prominent influences but more progressive styles appear throughout NWT's music. Radford is also a superb lead and harmony singer and has been a great asset to the band since 1992. His professional credits include tours with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, Laurence Lane, and James Monroe.

Michele Birkby-Vance has made her mark in the Midwest by winning dozens of fiddle contests in several states. She is a  five time Ohio State Champion who brought her breakdown style of fiddling and smooth vocal harmony to Northwest Territory in 1990. Exceptional intonation with the left hand, a fantastic touch with the right hand bow, a contagious smile, and lots of enthusiasm make Michele a crowd pleaser whenever she performs.

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Mike Gorrell is a longtime veteran of the bluegrass and country music scene. His experience in front of live audiences, and on radio and TV specials, makes him the choice as the emcee and stage manager during NWT's performances. Mike is an award-winning guitarist and a strong self-styled lead singer. Most of the original material

Bluegrass Music

NORTHWEST TERRITORY

that the band performs comes from Mike's pen. Mike toured professionally with the Whetstone Run Bluegrass Band of central Pennsylvania for over ten years. Mike was one of the original founding members of Northwest Territory in 1989.

Read an article about one of Mike's creations at

http://www.wooster.edu/news/0405/WaffleHouseMikeGorrell.php