MOUNTAIN STRINGS
Mountain Strings was formed several years ago and it has grown and changed over the years into a top notch bluegrass band. The members all believe music heals the soul. We all believe that music touches people in so many different ways and we are excited to be able to touch the hearts of our listeners with our unique harmonies in all the songs we sing. We love singing and playing together and we hope you enjoy listening.
FIDDLE
TERESA MORTENSEN
Teresa has played the violin since she was 6 years old. Although not lucky enough to ever know her grandfather, she was very lucky to get his violin at that age. She loved it.
She played in orchestra all through school, but always wanted to play fiddle music. She joined the Idaho Old Time Fiddlers in 1989, ran the local district, and played old time fiddle music for more than 35 years.
She is still running the District 8 of the Idaho Old Time Fiddlers. Then she got the opportunity to learn bluegrass. It was a blast and she fell in love with it.
“I have been working hard the last few years to learn how to play bluegrass fiddle and I have had many great teachers help me along the way. I have a lot more to learn but I am loving every bit of it.”
VOCALS and GUITAR
MONTY MORTENSEN
Monty became interested in music at a young age. First, there was a few years of piano lessons. After the Piano, he played 5 years of Clarinet in the school band. During high school he began teaching himself guitar. About sixteen years ago he began playing with the Idaho Old time fiddlers, acting as president for 7 years. During the time with the fiddlers, he sang at a variety of music venues and learned few fiddle tunes. When needed Monty can pick up a bass and play.
A few years back the Mountain Strings Bluegrass band was formed. Now he enjoys playing full contact bluegrass. Monty also enjoys jamming with other like-minded bluegrass players and will jump in whenever opportunities arise.
He started listening to and enjoying bluegrass about 5 years ago. At that time, he began playing bluegrass guitar and singing his favorite bluegrass songs. He now feels that bluegrass is the music he always wants to learn and play.
VOCALS, MANDOLIN
GERRY GRIDER
Gerry is a vocalist/guitarist performing songs from a variety of genres including folk, country, swing and Americana. He’s played in several bands from the age of 12 and performed his solo act at corporate events in Reno, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and other venues in the Midwest, West and Northwest.
While guitar is his primary instrument, he currently plays mandolin for Mountain Strings Bluegrass Band.
BASS
JACK POULSON
Jack started playing guitar at 12 years old. By the time he got to high school, however, he had too many other interests, and so had to quit playing and dedicate his time to other more important things.
In 2012, after raising a family and making a living on the farm, He decided it was time to pick it up again. He bought a new guitar and found some friends to jam with. After a few years, our group needed a bass player, so I bought an upright bass in 2018 and have been playing that ever since.
Currently, he’s a member of the Idaho Old Time Fiddlers and play with them on a weekly basis. He joined Mountain Strings in 2024 and thoroughly enjoys making music with these talented people and considers them his family in music.
BANJO
TOM MIDDLETON
Tom grew up in the great state of Virginia where he fell in love with bluegrass music and the banjo at the age of 12. He started playing banjo in bluegrass bands in high school and over his sixty-five years has played in bands in Virginia, New Mexico, Idaho, and even Guatemala.
Tom is also a song writer and some of his songs are featured in the Mountain Strings repertoire.