The Loft is located Downtown Missoula, across from the parking garage, upstairs above the Dance Collective…119 W Main St, Missoula Montana
About the BAND
Phyllis Erck born in Sulpher Springs, Texas where she spent her childhood listening to radio and live jamborees, produced by her father, Lou, who was a popular radio disk jockey on KSST Radio. The family moved north at age 6 to build family business in radio. The business spread across the Rocky Mountain states and the family moved with it. Phyllis’ musical roots were stimulated at an early age in the pews of the Sourthern Baptist church where she learned to sing harmonies with the church choir and with her siblings who all sing. Inspired by her brother Charles’ playing, she took up the Dobro. Phyllis sang throughout high school and college. After college she moved to New England where she found the rich bluegrass music scene and formed close musical relationships with many of the players there. In 1998 she formed the band Blue Angel with Victoria Ginty and recorded the album Dance a Little Closer. In 2002 she returned Montana where she has performed with groups including Ramblin’ Rose, Hot House Tomatoes, The Alley Cats, Blue to the Bone and her current band the Ruby Jewel Band.
Career highlights
- IBMA Awards show with Jerry Douglas – 1 of 2 women in the dobro extravaganza with 50 players onstage celebrating the Grammy award winning album The Great Dobro Sessions
- Noppett Hill Bluegrass Festival – Sang tenor to Del McCoury on stage
Ruby Jewel Band Members
- Phyllis Erck, Dobro and vocals
- Louie Bond, Guitar and vocals
- Roy Gruss, Bass
- Walt Pederson, Drums