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| A Brief History of Out 'n the Cold Out �n the Cold was formed completely by accident in September 1977 in the studio of Elizabeth City�s radio station, WCNC, during a Heart Fund Telethon. Three of the original members of the band are still hanging in there. Red Swain and Dickie Sanders were performing at the radio station with one group while Kent Luton was singing with another. Even though they had known each other for years, Red and Dickie didn�t know Kent could sing, and Kent didn�t know they played bluegrass. The seed was planted and the band was born. Since then, they have become lifelong friends and have survived marriages, kids, divorces, marriages, and now middle age. They have performed their convoluted style of bluegrass tinged rock and roll at numerous venues in northeastern North Carolina, southwest Virginia, occasionally in Chapel Hill and Greenville, even once or twice in Las Vegas and onboard a Carnival Cruise ship. After losing their bassist of 15 years, the band went into semi-limbo for about a year, only appearing occasionally with a guest bassist. It was during one of these performances that Edgar Lane took a liking to the band and asked if he could join. Edgar is an accomplished blues guitarist who has played professionally with several bands, most notably, The Blues Defenders and The Jailtones. However, he had a deep desire to return to his mountain roots and take up the mandolin. A blues flavored mandolin break is something to behold. Edgar was a perfect fit. However, ONTC was still without a full time bassist. In 1997, Kent, Dickie and Red were cast to be the band/musical directors and lead male characters in The Encore Theater Company�s production of the musical Pump Boys and Dinetts. They asked their longtime friend, Clarence Munden, to join them and bring along his bass. Clarence had played bass professionally with Sutter�s Gold Streak Band in the 80�s, and is now the heart and sole of the country rock group, The Five Star Band. Well, "Five Star" was on temporary hiatus, so Clarence readily accepted. "Pump Boys" was a total success--eight completely sold out shows and rave reviews. This production set the high water mark for The Encore Theater because more people attended the theater during this production run than any other in its history. After the close of "Pump Boys", Clarence had no other place to play, so he joined ONTC permanently. Once again, a perfect fit. So now, they are one. ONTC�s music continues to defy description; playing everything from Black Magic Woman to Rocky Top, and even a little ditty by Ludwig Van Beethoven. They are the sum of their varying musical styles and experiences. The band's trademark, close tight harmonies and their charismatic personalities onstage endear them to audiences wherever they play. Anyone attending an ONTC performance is guaranteed a good time! Believe me, you have never experienced a band quite like this one! |
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| Out 'n the Cold 2003 |