Meet the Band

Big Howdy is an award-winning progressive bluegrass band known for its powerful lead singing, rich vocal harmonies, and instrumental chops. With a repertoire that mixes bluegrass classics with emotionally compelling original songs, intriguingly novel instrumentals, and well-chosen contemporary material, Big Howdy presents bluegrass with modern polish while honoring the drive that lies at the heart of the music.

Dede Wyland

Guitar, Vocals

Known internationally for her work in the 1980s with Tony Trischka and Skyline, Dede uses her immaculate vocal technique to evoke a full range of emotions, from exuberant joy to abject heartbreak. Since moving to Maryland in 1990, she has become one of the DC area’s leading voice teachers. Dede has released two highly regarded albums on the Patuxent Music label. She also offers an online course with Peghead Nation called Fundamentals of Good Singing.

Randy Barrett

Banjo, Guitar, Vocals

Randy’s beautifully crafted songs explore the human condition with depth and humor, and his original banjo tunes offer distinctive melodies and unexpected yet satisfying harmonies. He teaches banjo and fiddle, and repairs and sells violins. A mover and shaker in Washington’s bluegrass scene, Randy has played a leading role in establishing both Bluegrass Country Radio and the DC Bluegrass Union. He is co-author of the Ben Eldridge book On Banjo – Recollections, Licks and Solos.

Tom McLaughlin

Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals

With a background in country, jazz, and rock as well as bluegrass, Tom enhances Big Howdy’s sound with his hot lead and sensitive backup work. A member of the Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance Hall of Fame, he is also a serious amateur archaeologist.

Ira Gitlin

Bass, Vocals

Ira is well known in the bluegrass world and beyond as a versatile multi-instrumentalist, teacher, writer, and scholar. He has performed on banjo and bass with such nationally known artists as the Johnson Mountain Boys, Laurie Lewis, Bill Harrell, and Peter Rowan. In 1993 Ira was a one-day winner on Jeopardy. He is currently working on a biography of the Johnson Mountain Boys for the University of Illinois Press.