By Chris Doan

December 20, 2024

In its last playout of 2024 on December 20, the East Bay Banjo Club played to a standing room only crowd at The Kensington. The playlist included a mix of our year-round crowd favorites and a medley of Christmas songs. The Kensington audience were not hesitant to join us in song with the old favorites. Paul Mack did the honors as an emcee introducing the club and providing a brief background to each song played.

We were thirteen banjos strong for the playout including, from left to right, Dorothy Becker, Rich Combs (Music Director and Conductor), Ardi Jarrett, Deb Hodson, Chris Doan, Bud Pearce, John Greitzer (Bass), Slavka Ruzicka, Don Granberg (piano, washboard and banjo), Zennie Bohn, Paul Mack (MC), Yvonne Whitchurch and Tom Brunetti.

by Chris Doan

December 10,2024

On December 10, 2024 the Club hosted its annual Christmas Party at Mountain Mike’s Pizza with plenty of salad, pizza and drinks to add energy to the evening. There were a total of nearly 30 in attendance. When the food was gone, we broke out the banjos to play and sing some of our favorite music.

We also conducted a short annual business meeting for the purpose of electing the Club Directors and Leaders for 2025. Paul Mack did a nice job of developing a list of nominations

Our good friends at the Oakmont Senior Center in Concord invited us to perform a concert of good old-fashioned American music in their large, but elegant activity room. It was great returning to this facility that provided us a meeting place during the pandemic. The crowd was very excited to see us again. The standing-room-only crowd enthusiastically received our performance. We are certain we will be back again with some more fun and excitement.

The group, led by Rich Combs included, Dorothy Becker. Don Granberg. Bob Ehrhorn, Zennie Braun, Jack Convery. Chris Doan, Diane Maluchelli, Bob Maluchelli, Paul Mack, Slavka Ruzicka, Ardie Jarrett, and Bud Pearce.

Yet another successful summer picnic celebrated on the Delta at Lander’s Landing! Our hostess, Bobbie Landers, warmly welcomed the EBBC strummers to her deck for a rousing afternoon of food, banjo playing, singing, great conversation, and just all around fun! The club owes a debt of gratitude for the hospitality offered by Bobbie and her family.

May 24, 2024

In our first outdoor event of 2024, the East Bay Banjo Club played for the residents of the Stoneman Village in Pittsburg on May 24. The setting was an afternoon ice cream social on a delightful spring afternoon. The residents clearly enjoyed the music with several dancing and singing along for much of the hour. With Memorial Day just around the corner, we included the theme songs from each branch of the Armed Forces to honor the Veterans and their spouses in the crowd … and each stirred up patriotism amongst the residents.

There were 13 members of the Club who played and sang for the event including Rich Combs, Don Granberg, Paul Mack, Bob Ehrhorn, Tom Brunetti, Larry Risner, Slavka Ruziska, Zennie Bohm, Deb Hodson, Phil and Linda Myers, John Greitzer, and Chris Doan.

June 6, 2023

Once again the EBBC appeared at the Stoneman Village facility in Pittsburg CA. The group performed 22 songs to an enthusiastic audience.

May 11, 2023

The East Bay Banjo Club had the privilege of performing for the Sirs Branch 146 Ladies Day Luncheon. The crowd enjoyed such favorites as “When You’re Smiling”, “Yes Sir(s), That’s My Baby”, “April Showers”, “Five Foot Two”, and a host of other standards that brought smiles to their faces and sometimes even a songs to their lips! This is probably one of the largest indoor crowds that we have played for this year, and our music was received enthusiastically.

Members performing include; Bob and Diane Malucelli, Bob Ehrhorn, Chris Lardge, Deb Hodson, Don Granberg, , Larry Risner, John Greitze, Paul Mack, Phil and Linda Myers, Slvaka Ruzicka, Tom Brunetti, and Zennie Bohn.

April 8, 2023

The annual Alamo Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt returned after a two year respite caused by the pandemic. And, as usual, the East Bay Banjo performance brought joy to children and adults that attended this popular event in the community. A large group of spectators gather around to hear such American song favorites like “In Your Easter Bonnet”, “April Showers”, “Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail”, and many more before and after the mad scramble to gather the bright colored easter eggs. It’s the annual event that club members, parents, and children look forward to each year.

The first gig of 2023 occurred at the Moraga Royale Senior Center on Feb 10th. Folks gathered in the dining room to listen to the East Bay Banjo Club standards such as “Just Because” , “My Little Margie”, “Five Foot Two” along with may others. The residence were thrilled with the performance and commented that they hope we return soon (possibly outside this Spring). Fun was had by all, and we look forward to the opportunity to, once again, bring a little joy to the residents.

The performers included Zennie Bohn, Rich Combs, Chris Doan, Bob Erhrhorn, Don Granberg, John Grietzer, Deb Hodson, Jeff Liu, Bob and Diane Malucelli, Phil and Linda Myers, Larry Risner, and Slavka and Jan Ruzickar.

The EBBC had the opportunity to perform for the Civic Arts League of Diablo Valley on Dec 1, 2022. The program consisted of a number of member favorite tunes, introduced by our Master of Ceremonies, Paul Mack, complete with some “fun facts” about the history of Walnut Creek and the selected tunes. The audience responded very positively to our program, and at the end, presented each one of the performers with a special gift to take home for the holidays. Many thanks to the Civic Arts League for their gracious reception to the East Bay Banjo Club!

A special thanks to Mrs. Liu (Jeff’s Mom) for her photography skills and capturing the shots and audio below.

Performing were; Zenni Boln, Tom Brunetti, Rich Combs, John Greitzer, Don Granberg, Deb Hodson, Chris Lardge, Jeff Lieu, Paul Mack, Bob and Diane Malucelli, Bud Pearce, Larry Risner, and, Slavka and Jan Ruzickar.

It was another enjoyable, albeit a very warm, experience for EBBC members and their families at the annual club summer picnic at Lander’s Landing. Once again, Bobbie Lander’s fantastic hospitality afforded us the opportunity eat, drink, and be merry on the banks of the Delta. This year chicken was added to the fare of sausage, hot links, corn on the cobb, and a wide selection of salads and deserts brought by the attendees. The warm sun dictated we huddle under the shade provided by the pop-up shelters in order to play music that everyone enjoyed.

Thanks to the Landers and all that attended for another fun summer picnic! This annual event should not be missed!

The East Bay strummers resumed their appearances after a brief hiatus due to the Covid pandemic and some inclimate weather in April. The residents of the Stoneman Village Senior Center enjoyed their ice cream as they enthusiastically welcomed the East Bay Banjo Club back from a long absence.

Performing such popular favorites as “Four Leaf Clover“, “Five Foot Two“, and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling“, to name a few, were Zennie Bohn, Tom Brunetti, Rich Combs, Bob Ehrhorn, Don Granberg, Deb Hodson, Paul Mack, Bob Malucelli, Diane Maluccelli, Phil Myers, Linda Myers, Bud Pearce, and Larry Risner.