The Eddie Ray Band from Dripping Springs TexAs
About the Band
The Eddie Ray Band is the founding band of the Eddie Ray Music Foundation. Made up primarily of talented musicians with disabilities—and united by their love of music—the band proves that ability is measured by passion, creativity, and heart.
Music has transformed the lives of each member, building confidence, friendships, and a place where every voice belongs. Together they write original songs, perform throughout the community, and have fulfilled their dream of recording their own music for everyone to enjoy.
Every Thursday, you'll find the Eddie Ray Band doing what they love most: singing their hearts out, creating new music, sharing plenty of laughter, and celebrating the joy that music brings to their lives and to everyone around them.
Our history
My Musical Journey In 2017, a young disabled man named Brandon Rummel needed some extra help in his life. Brandon’s mother searched for the right person–not just a caretaker but preferably someone who was into music as much as Brandon was. Luckily, she found musical impresario Phil Montfort.
Brandon loves the Beatles and he had always wanted to be in a band. Being nonverbal, he also wanted to learn to sing so that he could belt out his favorite Beatles’ tunes. Phil and Brandon spent countless music lessons working on all things Beatles–as well as other classic rock songs.
About that time, Nathan became Brandon’s new housemate, started taking lessons from Phil and voila–the band had added a darn good drummer. Then Nathan told his friend Ben about the band, and he joined up bringing his bongos, harmonica and percussive skills. And so on, and so on. The band continued to grow by word of mouth due to a tightly knit group of determined parents helping young men and women with disabilities in the Dripping Springs area.
Montfort is the band leader extraordinaire–teacher, player, singer, songwriter, creative genius, and the glue that holds this band together. Without Phil there is no Eddie Ray Band. Phil’s family has also been an integral part of the band with his musically talented kids singing and playing along with the
band since they were little. We are so glad to have them playing on this album since
everyone has pretty much grown up together.
Current Band Members
Phil Montfort, fearless band leader
Brandon Rummel, percussion, vocals
Nathan Van Nostrand, drums, vocals
Will Ross percussion, vocals, harmonica
Steve Klopp, vocals, guitar
Danny Rouch, mandolin, penny whistle, vocals
Brandon Neffendorf, percussion, vocals
Max Welsch, percussion, vocals
Tom Cribbs, bass
Jason Cribbs, percussion, bird
Jonathan (Jon) Eckholm, vocals
Paul Hunt, vocals
Sam McDonald, percussion, vocals, harmonica