Dave has been in the Des Moines music scene since 1982. In the early 90's he was the front-man for the Top-40 Country group Thoroughbred. They were the house band at Toad Holler on the south side of Des Moines. For the last 10 years he has played pedal-steel guitar for several groups in the area and traveled frequently for shows and recording sessions in Missouri. He has gone back to his roots and is thoroughly enjoying his rekindled love for Bluegrass music

As a founding member of Blue Grit, Kris made a smooth transition to bluegrass music. Growing up in a family always involved in music, she had already developed strong vocal harmonies from performing in their barbershop quartet. Her transition also involved taking up the mandolin, providing rock solid rhythm for the band. Married to Dave, they have been together for nineteen years and have enjoyed singing together for the last three.

Dave Bunch - Banjo/Guitar

" A True Iowa Bluegrass Treasure" said radio personality Billy Dunbar. After playing with the popular country rock band "Con Brio", Dave decided to go bluegrass in 1970, forming a band "The Warren County String Ticklers" which enjoyed great popularity through the seventies and early eighties that culminated in the recording of an album with the great Jethro Burns. After a long hiatas from performing, he met up with the members of this band to go around once more, moving it up a notch with new found friends and musicians.

Phil Smith - Bass/Vocals

Almost 30 years ago Phil and his brother Woody founded the Blue Sky Band, an extremely well known Country band in the Des Moines area. They were the house band at the Nashville Club in Des Moines during the "Urban Cowboy" era. Phil bought an upright bass and started playing with our group in the summer of 2005.

Greg Valentine - Fiddle/Mandolin/Vocals

Although Greg has played fiddle his whole life, he didn't come into the mainstream music scene in Des Moines until 1999. Since then he has played with local groups such as The Toad Holler All-Stars, Diamondback, Big Rig, Ryan Greenfield and Bob Pace. These days in addition to playing with Blue Grit, Greg is also a member of the popular country band headed by Jason Brown. Greg is an instrument builder and he built the mandolin that he plays. Many people have marveled at the beauty of this instrument and it's rich, full tone. Everyone is astounded at the fact that it is the first instrument he ever made