Fretloose was formed in 1993 and like all bands over the years has had a few personnel changes. Original members were Wally Hughes, Pam Hughes, Joe Haftl, and Todd Clewell. This first two pictures show that version around 1995. Around 1996, the band reformed when Cheri and Wally moved back to Delaware.

FretLoose live at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, MD. The four members shown here are : Alan Breeding, Joe Haftl, Wally Hughes, and Cheri Gmuer. Alan Breeding is from Greensboro, MD. Alan's been playing the banjo for about 20 years. Joe Haftl started playing the mandolin in the 1970s. Joe sang lead and baritone with Fretloose. Wally Hughes, from Smyrna, DE played guitar with the band and sang lead and tenor. Cheri Gmuer started playing the bass with the band in 1999, but she had been singing in a band as early as High School, when she was the leader singer in a local Rock Band. She sings lead, tenor, and high baritone.

Wally Hughes on guitar.

Cheri Gmuer on vocals and bass.

Joe Haftl on mandolin and Alan Breeding on banjo.

Show at the old Barking Frog restaurant in Dover, DE

Here's a directory listing of some other pics, I've yet to include.

In 2006, the band reformed and now is primarily a family band with Wally and Cheri's two children playing resophonic guitar and mandolin. Ethan is 15 years old and is playing resophonic guitar. Olivia is 13 and is playing mandolin. Both children are helping out with the singing and harmony. Our most recent addition is our friend Keith Waddell from Rising Sun, MD. Keith is a great singer and guitar player. His lead and rhythm guitar playing are a great asset to the band.

Here's a short bio on Keith Waddell:
Born to a musical family, his father taught him the music of Ray Price, Hank Williams and the Bluegrass greats of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs. He and his older brothers would occasionally take turns playing back up for a local fiddler. By the age of fifteen, Keith was spending most of his time exploring southern rock on the electric guitar, but always kept grounded in the music he grew up with and loved so dearly. It wasn't until his mid-twenties when Keith's father purchased the family's first Martin guitar that he took a real interest in Bluegrass music. It was around this time that he was introduced to the sounds of J.D. Crowe & The New South and and that gave him a real love for playing Bluegrass Music. Keith is also known for his work with Ross Nickerson & the Fast brothers, his previous work with Shenendoah Blue and also performing as a supporting member of Footworks. Keith and his wife, Robin, have one son Michael, and live in Rising Sun, MD. Keith met Wally a few years ago at a Bluegrass Festival in Virginia. They found out in a jam session how close they lived to one another and have been musical friends ever since. Keith, Wally and Ethan have been playing with Ross Nickerson together and also at various Jam Sessions and festivals in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. Keith became a regular member of Fretloose in September, 2006
Click here for pics/info on the newest version of the band.

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This webpage last modified Thursday, 19-Oct-2006 09:51:17 EDT