Grand Folk Railroad

When it comes to pinning down a style and genre, Grand Folk Railroad isn't easy to classify.

With a big voice that's deeply rooted in old school country, you might expect honky-tonk inspired tales of love and loss from lead singer and songwriter, SUSAN COHEN, but there's an edge and a sense of sophistication that quickly become apparent as the stories and melodies in Susan's finely-crafted songs reveal themselves. The end result? An eclectic, high-energy sound that transcends folk music and brings it to the next level.

Multi-instrumentalist MIKE CHRISTIAN produced True North and co-wrote several of the songs. His unique ability to take raw melody and chords and weave them into richly layered tracks makes Grand Folk Railroad's sound truly unique. Mike is also known for the broad spectrum of sounds that he coaxes out of his one-of a-kind suitcase drum kit (also known as the drum-sicle, drum-set-on-a-stick and 'WTF' is that?) and his pocket-sized, rubber-stringed Ashbory bass, both featured on True North. Mike has played extensively in Long Island rock and folk clubs, and his talents on guitar, drums and bass are always in demand.

For a short stint Susan worked closely with columnist and record industry consultant Al Aaronowitz to help produce the Country In New York series, and subsequently opened for such acts as Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Then she teamed up with her friend, Elly Wininger, as Wildflowers. Occasionally known as The Heavenly Bodies, the two sang back-up vocals for several country artists who came to NYC, such as Tanya Tucker. Susan and Elly teamed up with the late Steve Burgh on their CD, Housewife From Hell.

Frank Doris is the guy who knows how to take a good song to the next level with beautifully melodic touches and the ability to bring on the burn when needed. A guitar player since the year after the Summer of Love, Frank has played in a variety of bands and diverse situations, including an opening slot for Duran Duran on their first-ever U.S. tour. Frank's musical influences include Roy Orbison, Les Paul, Blue Öyster Cult, Kraftwerk, Roy Buchanan, Gary Wilson, Frank Zappa, Neil Young, Thelonious Monk, Love, the Kinks, Roxy Music, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Dionne Warwick, James Brown, Merle Haggard and Shonen Knife (he also has a disproportionate affection for off-the-wall 1960s and 1970s pop).

Bill Resvanis has more groove than a box of Motown platters and a knack for playing what just feels right, Bill is the guy who manages to pull together all of the band's musical elements while also taking the audience along for the ride. As an accomplished percussionist who has been playing for more than 45 years, Bill has graced hundreds of stages. Career highlights include gigs with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Shirelles, The Classics, Ben E King and at the 1964 Worlds Fair. Bill's influences include Hal Blaine, Ringo, Louie Bellson, Art Blakey and Jim Keltner.