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Our Endorsees
Tammy Rogers:
Nashville recording artist and co-owner
of Dead Reckoning Records. As a composer, performer and
studio musician Tammy has lent her talents to some of the
most prestigious names in country music. Her R-5 (a
custom solid black) is the only mandolin she depends
on. "I've owned my Ratliff since '91 and I love it.
Whether I'm on stage or in the studio it always
performs beautifully".
She also has done several solo
recordings, so look for her and her R-5 next time
you're in a record store. Tammy currently plays with the STEELDRIVERS.
Billy Panda:
Nashville studio musician, Billy Panda plays guitar, resophonic guitar,
pedal steel and mandolin. Billy has this to say about his Ratliff R-5......
"Heads turn and jaws drop every time I take it out of the case. The
construction and playability are absoulutely first rate. The intonation
is superb, the fret work is perfect, and the inlay and binding are
as elegant and well-executed as any I've seen. My R-5 has that rare
combination of volume and balance. A sweet top end and a rich woody
bottom are present at all playing levels,from very soft to extremely-
I mean extremely-loud. This thing sounds great. I will not describe my R-5
as a great mandolin for the money. It is a great mandolin. Period. I
couldn't be happier.
James Alan Shelton: James' position as lead
guitarist for bluegrass great Dr. Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain
Boys makes James well known to bluegrass fans the world over.
However, James is also known as a multi-instrumentalist, playing
several instruments on his four solo recordings. His latest,"Guitar
Tracks",features not only his fine guitar work but also shows just how talented
he is on his R-5 Ratliff mandolin. Look for James Alan Shelton
wherever bluegrass music is sold or catch James as Ralph Stanley's
lead guitarist.
Dino DiGiacomo: Dino DiGiacomo is a multi-instrumentalist
from Italy. He is best known to bluegrass fans as a member of the famed Italian
bluegrass band Red Wine. Well known in Italy and Europe, they have also
completed several successful tours in the United States. Dino's mandolin is a
Ratliff RA-5. He says, "Your mandolin is a real powerhouse!!". Don't miss
the opportunity to see Dino and Red Wine when they're in your area. You'll
be glad you did.
Jennifer Banks McLain:Jennifer Banks McLain, along
with Michael and Raymond McLain perform as THE McLAINS. This first rate professional
bluegrass group has performed all across the United States and on many TV and
radios shows, including the Grand Ole Opry. Their album, "More Fun Than We
Ought To Have", is on Pinecastle Records. She says,"My dad has always had a
knack for finding great instruments. He called me and said he'd found this
awesome Ratliff mandolin. As soon as I played it, I knew it was remarkable.
I've been playing it ever since.....every fret-clear and true......
has a really solid chop.....".
Stephen Cagle:Stephen Cagle has played with bands such as Misery River, New Horizons, Silver Creek (now Mountain Heart) and The Anita Fisher Band with Ray Deaton (of III Tyme Out). Stephen's mandolin is the R-F5 model made 8-30-1996. "I've been given great remarks on my Ratliff from Randy Graham, Danny Roberts and Alan Perdue just in the last year at different festivals we've played". "For tone and volume I just can't find anything close to it". "Very comfortable to play up and down the fretboard with great intonation". "GREAT job Audey".
Buddy Woodward:
Buddy is the co-founder of THE DIXIE BEE-LINERS. Their album RIPE topped the Bluegrass Now Top 20 chart, achieved two #1's on Bluegrass Music Profiles' Top 20 Singles and the Roots Music Report Bluegrass Chart, spent 9 weeks atop the RMR Bluegrass chart and two months in the Top Ten of both BU charts. He appeared in the Barter Theater's play, Man of Constant Sorrow: The Story of the Stanley Brothers, playing the roles of George Shuffler, Pee-Wee Lambert, and Bill Monroe, as well as roles in Jimmie Rodgers: America's Blue Yodeler and Keep On The Sunny Side: The Songs & Story of the Carter Family. All the while he's had his 1986 Ratliff Custom. "My R-5 has sweet tone, lots of bark, and great note separation. In the studio, in concert or on stage, it always delivers. I'm looking forward to getting one of Audey's newer models!"
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