Based in Kent, Ohio, the River Bottom Bushwhackers formed in 1999 to play old-time American music at the Kent Farmers' Market.
In June 2000 they were invited to become the house band for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's newly constructed Australian Adventure exhibit and have played there each summer since.
They also perform regularly at the Columbus Zoo and Toledo Sailing Club, as well as at music festivals and schools throughout northern and central Ohio.
Their repertoire is an infectious blend of authentic old-time American, Irish, and Australian folk music.

Current members:

David Badagnani aka "Jumbuck Chuck" (fiddle, accordion, xylophone, didjeridu, recorders, and vocals)

 

Mark Bussinger aka "Mark Time" (bodhrán, lagerphone, washtub bass, washboard, drums, cajón, and vocals)

 

"Outback" Jack DiAlesandro (acoustic guitar, 5-string banjo, tenor banjo, octave mandolin, harmonica, and vocals). Jack has a new website here.

 

Renie DiAlesandro (acoustic guitar and vocals)

 

Tim Newman aka "Professor Shorthair" (mandolin, octave mandolin, tenor banjo, washtub bass, and vocals)

Former members:

Mike DiAlesandro (acoustic guitar and vocals). Mike is currently playing pedal steel guitar with The Blue Dog String Band.

 

 

Past performances:

Camp Y-Noah (Akron, Ohio area YMCA)

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland, Ohio)

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Powell [Columbus], Ohio)

Early Childhood Music Program (Akron, Ohio)

First Congregational Church of Akron (Akron, Ohio)

First Night Akron (Akron, Ohio)

Happy Day School (Ravenna, Ohio)

It's Cleveland with Frank Artino (cable TV program, Cleveland, Ohio)

Kent Farmers' Market (Kent, Ohio)

Kent Ice Cream Social (Kent, Ohio)

The Kent Stage (Kent, Ohio)

Kent State Folk Festival (Kent State University, Kent, Ohio)

Kent State University (Kent, Ohio)

The Lime Spider (Akron, Ohio)

Nelson Ledges Quarry Park (Garrettsville, Ohio)

Oberlin Choristers World Music Festival (Oberlin, Ohio)

Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Oberlin, Ohio)

Passport Project (Cleveland, Ohio)

Shaker Square (Cleveland, Ohio)

Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)

Smokin Seafood Festival (Garrettsville, Ohio)

Toledo Sailing Club (Toledo, Ohio)

Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent (Kent, Ohio)

University School (Shaker Heights, Ohio)

Up From the River Festival (Kent, Ohio)

West Branch State Park (Ravenna, Ohio)

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