The Blue Water Ramblers, est. 2002, write their own songs and take turns harmonizing with each other to create a colorful tapestry of sounds. “Banjo-Jim” Foerch on his acoustic and electric banjos and R.H. “Bear” Berends on his big Martin guitar are the core of the Rambler vocal and writing team.
At festivals and in the U.P. “California Dan” Lynn lays down the steady rhythm on bass. Nate Myers adds stellar mandolin leads and fills. We have next generation Ramblers as well: Connor Metson on viola. It's mellow timbre is perfect on ballads and the higher register sings on bluegrass tunes. California Dan's son Jesse Lynn holds down the bass line and keeps the beat pumping in our down state shows.
In our performances you will hear songs expressing our unique take on life both present and past in styles folky to bluegrass, Americana and roots.
BANJO-JIM
Banjo-Jim Foerch picked up his first banjo in 1965 and hasn't put it down since. As a founding member of the regional touring band “Beats Settin' Home,” Banjo-Jim began pickin' and singin' all over Michigan. He says singing the songs of Michigan, America and our lives to all the people we meet on tour is the best thing he's ever done. “Everyone I ever met here in Michigan or around the Midwest is proud of our home state and our country. Our songs express that pride the best way we know how- by getting us all singing together!”
BEAR
R. H. “Bear” Berends holds down the rhythm with his big, black Martin guitar. As with so many baby boomers he started strumming guitar and singing folk songs in high school in the sixties. Bear joined Banjo-Jim and “Beats Settin' Home” at the Wheatland Music Festival in Remus, Michigan in 1993 and hasn't stopped playing and touring since. “I wanted to sing with Banjo-Jim, so I learned all his songs and taught him mine and here we are,” he explains. Whether delivering a lead line or harmonizing with his solid baritone, Bear sculpts the Blue Water Ramblers’ sound.
CALIFORNIA DAN
“California Dan” Lynn met Bear and Banjo-Jim in 2002 and wondered if the Ramblers might have a couple gigs for him - sure: 25 years and counting! In addition to laying down the foundation of the music, Dan writes and leads crowd-pleasing bluegrass songs and harmonizes with a pure tenor voice on the rest. Dan's roots in bluegrass and traditional music give the Ramblers a driving honesty which will keep your toes tapping and your fingers snapping.
California Dan now lives in Marquettte in the U.P. He'll be joining us at festivals and our U.P. gigs. Keep up with him at CaliforniaDan.net.
NATE MYERS
Nate Myers is a lifelong multi-instrumentalist influenced by country, blues and jazz. With the Ramblers he focuses his talents on the mandolin: lightning speed, shimmering breaks, and toe-tapping fiddle tunes.
Nate is a long time music participant in central Michigan, being an original member of the Wheatland Music Organization. You've seen him at every festival.
He is an accomplished instructor in private lessons and in the Wheatland Music Organization's Community Education Lesson Program. Nate joined us in 2022 bringing 50 years of musical experience with him.
CONNOR MESTON
Not many traditional bands feature viola for fiddle tunes and lead breaks.
Connor started his journey beyond classical music with his middle school's celtic fiddle club. After building his chops with guitarists in his college dorm at Michigan State, Connor joined his first band in 2015. In 2020, he left East Lansing behind, moved to Grand Rapids, and established himself as a freelance musician. Connor brought his eclectic musical stylings to the Ramblers in August 2025. Follow his continuing musical journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viola_connor.jamz/
Jesse Lynn
Jesse Lynn is our solid bottom end on bass fiddle. We were honored to have California Dan's son join us in 2025. It's a case of the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree!
Jesse plays our down state shows and never misses a beat or a run. He is a quiet man who lets his fingers do the talking.