Rob Wright

Former Member of The New Christy Minstrels, has been performing over forty years all over North America, including all 50 states, Canada and Mexico. He is the leader of The Wildcat Jazz Band, The Great Banjo Summit and Other Things with Strings, Just Plain Folk and has headlined many music festivals and appeared as the guest artist with symphony orchestras. Most noted for his work on plectrum banjo and vocals, Rob also does comedy, plays guitar, 5-string banjo and ukulele. Originally from Southern California, Rob has been in Arizona since 1994. Rob was in the original cast of The Gaslight Theatre in 1977. He has made over a dozen albums.

Kendra Ruth Martinez

is an ASU graduate receiving her BIS in Music and Dance. She has been seen in musical theatre productions throughout the East Valley including lead roles in The Secret Garden (Lily), Little Women (Jo), and Into the Woods (Cinderella). She currently enjoys accompanying the INSPIRE Chorus and other local vocalists on the piano, along with singing/narrating with the AZ Territorial Brass Band. She has studied dance extensively, including ballet, swing dance and flamenco. Kendra Ruth is employed by Arizona Golden Rule Education (Development/School Liaison) and loves to travel, perform and collaborate with other artists any chance she can get. 

Evan Dain

 Evan Dain has been a professional musician since he got out of the Navy-a long time ago.  Evan has played all over the world with touring groups, including Banu Gibson, on cruise ships, from bars to symphonies and everything in between.  He plays bass, banjo, guitar, tuba, trombone and just about anything else he can get his hands on.  Evan has made dozens of recordings and is a staple in the Tucson music community.  Evan and Rob have worked together since the 1990s.

Ashley Westcott

Ashley was born and raised on a farm in Snowflake, AZ. She grew up singing and playing the organ and piano in her church. She went to college to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and Pharmacy Technician. Once completed she decided to pursue her passion for music. She is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Audio Engineering. She has been the lead singer and rhythm player in The Kirkman Family Band for 10 years. She travels all over Arizona performing at Cowboy Poetry Gatherings and is currently playing in The Kirkman Family Band, Blue Tattoo, The Salis Project and Just Plain Folk. She owns her own recording studio and works from home recording and producing music you can find at awrecording.org. She has 5 beautiful children that she loves raising with her husband.

Bruce Bayly

Bruce Bayly grew up in Troy, New York, playing violin in the school orchestra. He moved to Tucson to become a math professor at the University of Arizona, and in 1993 started his vocal career as rhythm bass with a cappella group Catacoustic Groove. With fellow-singers he started the Physics Factory and Arizona Math Road Show science buses. Bruce is excited to be making music again with Just Plain Folks!

Suzette Sommerer

Suzette began her musical career at a young age by singing to get attention and getting in trouble for trying to play tunes on her mother’s crystal stemware. She enjoyed learning a little folk guitar, singing in choirs and playing classical bass in orchestras during junior high and high school. University studies and 35-years as an engineer exploring the challenges of developing communication systems and assessing guidance and navigation accuracy led to a break from playing. Since retiring in 2014, Suzette has discovered the joys of fiddling and returned to her love of harmony singing. She currently performs with Hamilton Beech at WoodSongs Coffeehouse Tucson and with Just Plain Folk.

Ryan David Orr

Ryan has been performing original songs and compositions in the US and abroad for over 20 years. He is an accomplished media producer, having recorded, produced and released 10 full-length solo albums, albums for other artists, several EPs and numerous singles. Though he often performs as a solo artist, he also fronts the indie-rock band, The Brighter Still, and produces several side projects in folk, electronica and rock genres. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film & Media Studies and a Master of Arts degree in English from Arizona State University. His solo work can be found at www.ryandavidorr.com.