BIOGRAPHY
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Andy Rau: banjo - rhythm guitar - vocals
Les Johnson: rhythm lead and slide guitars - violin - vocals
Evan Anderson: mandolin - vocals
George Boravich: bass - vocals 

The Andy Rau Band performs New Acoustic Folk Rock, an innovative, up-to-date blend of bluegrass, folk, rock and pop. Andy formed the band 20 years ago with the intent of showcasing new material, illustrating the versatility of the 5-string banjo and breaking the mold of the homogeneous music that was being played with folk instrumentation.  All the musicians are familiar with a wide variety of musical styles which enables each song to shape its own identity without borrowing from old tried-and-true formulas. 

The four-piece group brings thoughtful lyrics alive with Andy Rau on banjo and guitar, Les Johnson on guitar, slide and violin, Evan Anderson on mandolin and George Boravich on bass. Inventive instrumentals are also included in their repertoire. From the very beginning and through its continuing evolution the band has always been true to its roots which reflect the diverse musical backdrop that is Southern California.

Andy Rau was born and raised in Southern California and has been performing
professionally since 1975. He began his career as the in-house banjo player at Knott's Berry Farm amusement park in his home town of Buena Park.  During that ten-year period he performed in a host of musical situations including bluegrass bands, country rock bands, and variety stage productions. 

Along with concert halls, fairs and music festivals, Andy and the band continued to perform at venues such as Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags, Sea World, Paramount Studios, Disney Studios and Burbank Studios.  In the mid 90's their first CD On The Horizon was released followed a few years later by Different Man and Penny Moon. With the success of these albums the band began to receive airplay and reviews from around the world. They began touring the United States and Canada and received endorsements with The Deering Banjo Company, GHS Strings and ProPik Finger Picks while feature articles started appearing in magazines such as in Acoustic Musician, Frets, Bluegrass Unlimited, Bass Player and Banjo Gazette (Great Britain).

In 2006, after a long hiatus in the recording studio, The Andy Rau Band has re-emerged on Anchovy Artists Records with the release of fifteen original compositions on the CD Higher Ground.  This recording continues to introduce inventive new material to the world of acoustic music.