COUNTRY COOKING
- From Ithaca, New York.
- Formed in 1970, one of the first bands to mix jazz and rock stylings with traditional bluegrass.
- Featured several instrumental virtuosos: Tony Trischka (banjo), Peter Wernick (guitar and banjo), Russ Barenberg (guitar), Andy Statman (mandolin), and Kenny Kosek (fiddle). Also in the band: Nondi Leonard (vocals) and John Miller (bass).
- 1971, released first album “14 Bluegrass Instrumentals” (Rounder).
- 1972, released “Barrel of Fun” album (Rounder).
- 1975, released “Country Cooking with the Fiction Brothers” album (Flying Fish). The Fiction Brothers were Alan Senauke (guitar) and Howie Tarnower (mandoin). By this time, Kenny Kosek, Pete Wernick and his wife Nondi (AKA Joan) were the only remaining original members of the band. Michael Gold (bass) and Peggy Haine (vocals) were also members.
- Broke up in 1976 when the Wernicks moved to Colorado. Pete later formed the band Hot Rize.