Rockin’ country from Maryland suburbs of D.C., described as “kick-ass country.” They performed throughout the mid-Atlantic region, seen locally at Chatham Lounge, Pikesville Hilton, No Fish Today…
A 1979 lineup included Jay Jessup (pedal steel), Gantt Kushner (lead guitar), Jim Robeson (bass), Lou Hager (piano), Al Johnson (acoustic), and Paul Goldstein (drums). This lineup was on their 1979 LP “Tonight The North Star Band”. The group also released a single “Virginia” b/w “On the Road”.
They released the album “Burnin’ ’em up” Live At Eskimo Nell’s in 1981. The lineup was the same except Jim Robeson had been replaced with David Besley.
Former member Tommy Hannum (steel guitar) also played for Emmylou Harris, Rosslyn Mountain Boys, and went on to lead Ricky Van Shelton’s backing band. Kushner played for other groups including Junior Cline & the Recliners, the Tony Denikos Band, and led the Gantt Kushner Project. He was later founder and Chief Engineer of the Gizmo Recording Company in Silver Spring.
1979(LP) Adelphi 2014 Tonight The North Star Band
19** Renegade 5650 Virginia / On the Road
1981(LP) Es-Ki-Mo 0001 “Burnin’ ‘em up” Live at Eskimo Nell’s
