Bios

Jeff Rose (mandolin, lead, harmony vocals) is the master musician whose original songs shape the Detour sound.  Jeff’s bluegrass roots run deep in eastern Kentucky.  He toured extensively for over twenty years with Iowa Rose, the High Canyon Ramblers and the Porkypines.  He has also led numerous workshops on songwriting, mandolin and guitar technique.  Jeff is one of the current reigning IBMA golf champions. (Photo credit: Tim Motley.)

Scott Zylstra (guitar, lead, harmony vocals), is a master of tone, taste and timing and propels the band forward with his superb rhythm and tasteful lead work.  Scott has played in a number of bands throughout Michigan including the Porkypines.  Scott is the owner of Frontier Recording, a highly successful recording and production studio.  Scott’s distinctive guitar style is always an immediate crowd favorite. (Photo credit: Tim Motley.)

Zak Bunce, (lead, harmony vocals, string bass), started singing and playing music at an early age in one of Michigan’s leading roots family bands, Lake Effect.  Zak has also performed extensively with his sister, Rachael Davis.  Even though Zak doesn’t look like he could ever be lonesome, when he sings lead he reaches out and grabs that high lonesome sound. According to Bluegrass Unlimited, Zak “can sing it smooth, he can sing it mournful, he can sing it powerful — in short, he can sing!” (Photo credit: Tim Motley.)

Peter Knupfer has been a professional bluegrass, folk, swing and jazz fiddle player for over 30 years.  He has performed with Byron Berline, Joel Mabus, Alan Munde, Donald Stiernberg, John McCuen, Tony Trischka, Bill Evans, Bill Keith, Tim O’Brien, Peter Wernick, Greg Cahill, Peter Ostroushko and Howard Levy.  Peter teaches U.S. History at Michigan State University and lives with his family in East Lansing. “Peter Knupfer is one of those rare and wonderful fiddle players who can do it all,” says mandolin virtuoso Donald Stiernberg.   “Peter always brings a joyful intensity to the session and elevates his fellow musicians.” (Photo credit: Tim Motley.)

Kevin Gaugier’s (banjo, lead and harmony vocals) three decades of performing experience have taken him from the Eastern European shores of the Black Sea to the wilds of central Alaska (where a portable generator was required to power the sound system). Kevin has performed on mandolin, guitar, and banjo with several mid-Michigan bands through the years, including Sweetcorn with whom he opened for country superstar Wynonna Judd before an audience of tens of thousands and also recorded the theme song for the radio program “Grass Roots” which airs weekly on Kalamazoo’s WMUK. Kevin’s recent performances include appearances with world-class banjoists Tony Trischka, Janet Beazley, and Bill Evans. Alternating between tasteful, sensitive fills and dazzling improvisation, Kevin’s instrumental lead work is a fine complement to Detour’s creative sound. (Photo credit: Tim Motley.)

Missy Armstrong (lead, harmony vocals, guitar) is Detour’s newest member. “I grew up being exposed to many kinds of music,” Missy recalls. “My dad really loved music, he didn’t officially sing or play anything but he could remember every lyric to almost any song and we would whistle constantly.” Country and gospel harmonies captivated her at an early age, so that she “grew up singing in our small country church whenever I could.” Then the bluegrass bug bit her and for a time she ran with her own outfit, the Missy Kay Band, before signing on with the Detour boys. Her greatest influences these days are Eva Cassidy, Etta James, Lynn Morris, Dorothy Moore, Anne Murray, Tony Rice, Bonnie Raitt, Dolly, EmmyLou, and Patty Loveless. (Photo credit: Tim Motley.)