SANDY RYDER
Lead Vocals and Guitar
Sandy hails from New England originally, but loves the friendly vibe she feels here on the Eastern Shore. Her love of music arrived on her 8th birthday in the shape of a small guitar- a present from her parents. By high school, she was singing and playing in public venues and then continued to share her passion to perform while studying nursing at The University of Vermont. After college, she enjoyed singing with a small female a capella jazz group for many years in the greater Boston area. With this group she had opportunities to perform on stage with the famed Woody Herman Orchestra and Glenn Miller Tribute Band. Truly a highlight for any singer! Over the last 20 years Sandy has refined her singing and guitar style, and draws inspiration from such artists as Allison Krauss, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow. Sandy’s dynamic and lush vocal style gives Rosewood a unique and warm sound.
CHIP NORTON
Lead Guitar
Having played guitar since he was 10, Chip continues to learn new things to do with six strings and a fret board every day. Growing up in metro Boston, Chip started playing in bands in high school. He met Sandy while they were both in college in New England and have connected ever since (well yeah- he did marry her as well!) . Whether it’s traditional songs on the acoustic or country on the telecaster, you’ll find Chip bobbing and weaving with his “guitar face” and a smile. His favorite quote: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
DAVE LYONS
Acoustic and Electric Bass
Dave enjoys holding down the low end on upright acoustic and electric basses. He started playing upright bass in the middle school orchestra, and continued playing classical music through high school and college. Upright bass led to playing electric bass and guitar in high school garage bands. After graduating from college, he didn't play music for 20+ years before thinking one day, "That used to be a lot of fun." Dave met Chip and Sandy in 2013, and has been playing with them ever since. In his spare time, you might also find him strumming a guitar, picking a mandolin, or sawing on a fiddle.
Drums and Percussion
An American-born music producer, musician, composer and songwriter, Mark grew up in Warsaw, Indiana. He started playing music at the age of 8, first on piano, then seguing to percussion. After graduating from DePauw University with a bachelors degree in percussion performance, he became a percussionist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and did postgraduate studies at the University of Tennessee. Mark has recorded, performed and toured with some of the most respected musicians and performers of our time both domestically and abroad, including Benny Goodman, Bob Hope, Lynn Anderson, Sarah McLachlan, Andrea Corr, Amy Petty, Loreena McKennitt, Hayley Westenra and Jana Mashonee to name a few. Mark’s rich and experienced background in percussion provides the heartbeat for the Rosewood sound.
Mark released his latest EP album of five original songs, Morning Brew, in December, 2022. Prior to that he released his debut EP album, So What! in June, 2020, followed by two singles, Elewana, in April, 2022, and Forever in July, 2022. When he is not producing music in his SoundScape Studio in Saint Michaels, he regularly performs with Rosewood and the Julie Parsons Project Jazz Trio. You can learn more about Mark and his music at www.markgadsonmusic.com.
