Brush Arbor

BRUSH ARBOR

• From San Diego, California.
• Had success in the early 1970’s with several top-40 country songs like “Proud Mary” and “Brush Arbor Meeting” (Capitol Records).
• 1973, they were voted “Vocal Group of the Year” and “Touring Band of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music.
• Network TV appearances included “Hee Haw,” “Music Country USA” and “The Johnny Cash NBC Special.”
• Made several Grand Ole Opry appearances and toured with Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, the late Marty Robbins, the Everly Brothers, etc.
• Twice voted the third-most-popular Bluegrass Band of the Year in a Music City News Readers Poll (1973, 1974) behind Bill Monroe and the Osborne Brothers.
• Original members: Ken Munds (guitar), Wayne Rice (banjo), Jim Rice (guitar and pedal steel), Joe Rice (mandolin), David Rose (bass) and Pat Stephens, drums. Wayne, Jim and Joe Rice are brothers. No, they are not related to the “other” Rice brothers (Tony, Larry, Ron and Wyatt.)
• Wayne Rice and Ken Munds left the band in 1975. Brothers Jim and Joe Rice remained with the group until 1996, performing gospel music. Joe departed in 1996 and Jim kept the band together until 1999. He now performs as a solo artist and speaker.