Band History
The Fog Valley Drifters bluegrass band was formed in 1996 by a group of four professors at California State University Stanislaus under the name Ramblin Phuds.
The original bandmembers were:
Eric Thor Karlstrom (Banjo, Vocals)
Randy Brown (Bass, Vocals)
Marty Giaramita (Guitar, Vocals)
Al Tsacle (Fiddle)
The band added a fifth member, Kurt Laubhan (mandolin), the following year.
The Phuds played frequently at CSU Stanislaus functions, St Stan's in Modesto, Sierra Railway (sunday brunch), Columbia Kitchen in Columbia and St Charles Saloon in Downieville and at various other venues in Turlock and Modesto.
Ross Redding replaced Marty Giamarita in 1999 and that same year the Ramblin Phuds produced their first CD, Home Sweet Home.
Since 2000 several talented local musicians have played with the band including Bruce Dockter, Steve Kenworthy, Ken van de Kieft, Sean Lawson, John Gwinner, Nancy Brown, and Del Williams.
The Ramblin Phuds changed their name to the Fog Valley Drifters in 2000 when Brooks Judd replaced Randy Brown on Bass. Today the Fog Valley Drifters also include Chuck Hurd on Banjo and Rachel Bennet (mandolin, guitar, and vocals).
The band has performed several times at the GOF Bluegrass Festival in Holister California and in 2005 the Drifters were invited to play at the Plymouth Bluegrass Festival as one of the up and coming bands. The band is also a regular at the Modesto Certified Farmer's Market and at the Modesto International Festival.
In 2006, the Fog Valley Drifters released their latest CD, Old Songs For New Times