Kansas Prairie Pickers Association

BAND PROFILE


Legacy

Legacy

Bluegrass Band

Legacy Bluegrass Band is a four-piece group and, as of June 2012, they have been together 30 years with the same four members, making them one of the longest standing music groups in northeast Kansas. Their musical emphasis is on bluegrass, but they also include some soft rock, country, and lots of humor in their repertoire. Their music is a blend of traditional as well as modern bluegrass, and includes some nice harmonies.

Don Anderson, who plays acoustic standup bass, played guitar for the rock group The Morning Dew in the late '60's while attending Washburn University. Don is a founding member of the Kansas Prairie Pickers Association, an acoustic music club here in Topeka, and serves as the newsletter editor. He is retired from the State Department of Administration.

Steve Ladner, who plays mandolin and guitar, and shares vocals, was also in various bands in high school and college. He is retired from the State Department of Revenue.

Bob Hirt, originally from the Russell area, plays guitar and shares vocals. He was a Civil Engineer and is retired from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

Randy Rahberg plays 5-string banjo and shares vocals, as well as playing washboard, bones, harmonica, and guitar. Randy was also in a rock band in high school. He is retired from the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

Legacy Bluegrass Band has played for various private parties, and functions such as the Elmont Opry; several appearances at Railroad Days (on the event grounds and at De Soto for the excursion train); the park concert in Manhattan; performances at bluegrass festivals at Pomona, Wilson, Melvern, LaCygne and Holton Lakes; several fund raising benefits; July 4 at Lake Perry; opening band for "Annie Get Your Gun" at the amphitheater in Gage Park; Topeka Apple Festival; Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Concert in the Campground series at Lake Shawnee; Topeka Harley-Davidson ride-a-thon for muscular dystrophy; Wamego's Octoberfest celebration; the Diabetes Association's walk for life; and several church functions and at adult care homes.