Highland Road performs bluegrass in the truest tradition of Scottish, Irish, and English immigrants who inspired the musical storytelling genre.  Taking the stage in the next Door Community Auditorium Fireside Coffeehouse Concert of the winter season, Highland Road band members Andy Coulson, Tad Gilster, Rick Gordon, and Tony Gebauer will perform on Saturday, February 20 at 7 pm.  Their program will include bluegrass, a bit of country, and a smattering of folk music.

This marks the second appearance of the group in the Coffeehouse series, having sold out the 80 seat venue last February.

The history of Highland Road begins just down the road a bit.  Although founding members Coulson and Gilster both began playing music during their high school years, they had set their guitars aside to begin careers.

“We both played in high school,” said Coulson, “but I set my instrument aside for at least 20 years.”  Coulson is the owner of the White Gull Inn; Gilster is a realtor with Coldwell Banker and an avocational potter.

But in the mid-90s the two friends began a weekly ritual of playing together. “We were talking about music one day and we discovered we had each picked up our guitars again.  It just happened that we decided to have some fun picking together,” recalled Gilster.  The banjo became Coulson’s instrument of choice in the late 90s.

An approaching birthday spurred Rick Gordon, owner of Door County Computer, to join the music-makers.  “I had wanted to learn to play the guitar, and when I was turned 65 and I decided if I was ever going to play, I had better get to it.  At first I would just sit with my bass and listen.  I would practice at home.”  Gordon admits, “It was slow going, a trail of tears, but they really inspired me.”  With a guitarist in the group, Gordon assumed bass duties.

Tony Gebauer was the final addition to the informal band.  “I knew the guys were playing together and I wanted to join in.  I wanted to play something and figured a nice addition would be the mandolin to round things out,” said Gebauer.  “So I bought an inexpensive old mandolin and a beginner book with traditional bluegrass tunes.”  Within months the novice was performing with the group.  Gebauer is a full-time potter whose studio is TR Pottery.

Playing together for the first time “outside,” the group performed a benefit concert for the Door County Land Trust in 2007.  “With that concert we realized we were a band.  After that we got more serious,” Coulson smiled.

“All of us are very busy; we realize this is not our main job.  But we do work at improving, taking it to the next level.  Bluegrass really is an ensemble type of music, and doesn’t come together unless it’s performed by a group.  And as friends and fellow musicians we have a great time together and strive to improve.”

Seating for the Fireside Coffeehouse Concerts is limited and advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.  General admission tickets are $14 plus tax and facility fee, Tickets are available at the Door Community Auditorium box office, by phone (920.868.2728), or via the internet at www.dcauditorium.org.  Box office hours are Monday and Friday, 10 – 3 pm; weekend show days, 11 – 3 pm; and one hour prior to a performance.  The Door Community Auditorium is located in Fish Creek, just north of the town center on Highway 42.  Refreshments will be available for purchase during this performance.