The Cool River Trio Photos and Biography - Popular Folk Music and Bluegrass

The Cool River Trio originally formed in April 2001. The guys were eager to express the sounds and music that all three grew up with. Those sounds emanated from college campuses, church gatherings, and eventually the professional music tours that took them all over the world. Their style began as bluegrass and developed into a tribute to all the great folk musical groups of the fifties and sixties. It has been years since many people have heard live music from groups such as The Kingston Trio, The Brothers Four, and The LimeLighters. The Cool River Trio has created a distinctive approach to cross over bluegrass and contemporary music from artists like Jimmy Buffet, Ricky Nelson, The Allman Brothers, Ray Stevens and others.

	Dik Hitson's musical interests go back to his childhood in North Central Texas where he began performing at KSTB radio. Dik spent time in the active duty army special services performing throughout the world. Dik later moved to Los Angeles and began his professional acting career. His first serious music job was a stint playing banjo and singing with 'The New Christy Minstrels'. He appears on their album 'The Christy's Tour the Motor City'. Dik later released two records on Columbia with a duo 'Dik and Jack - The Settlers'. Later on Dik created another group known as 'The Carpet Baggers'.
	John Grantham started playing guitar at age 16 and hasn't stopped since. In his early twenties John toured South East Asia with a group called ' The Uncut Grass '. In 1969 that group made two USO tours throughout South Viet Nam. They would fly via army helicopter to an army firebase in the afternoon and by evening that base might be under attack by the Viet Cong. John went on to complete 21 years of active and reserve military service and retired a chief warrant officer. In the 1980's John and his family had a Christian music ministry called 'The Grantham Family Singers'. In 2001 John created and produced the first ever Bluegrass Concert at Piper's Opera House in Virginia City, Nevada.
	Bill Naylor was a participant in the 1960's folk music revival where he performed with a folk group while attending Syracuse University. After 12 years active duty air force and more than 10 years reserve service, Bill retired as a Lt. Colonel from the Nevada Air Guard. After moving to Northern Nevada Bill became active with The Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association. He donated his talents in hundreds of performances with public television, concerts and music festivals. His humor and quick wit add spice to the Cool River Trio's excellent audience appeal. Bill is a unique musician in that he plays the only custom made Schlichting 'F' style mandolin bass in the world.

The Cool River Trio has performed at numerous venues in their five years together. Their performances have appealed to all ages of audiences throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada. They have performed at concerts, restaurants, campgrounds, resorts and hotels. They have played at numerous bluegrass festivals including the prestigious Bowers Mansion festival in Washoe Valley, Nevada. They currently have an album in the works; their music is played on KHWG 750AM 'The Hog' radio in Fallon, Nevada.