Tall in the Saddle first came together in 1977 when Barry Prosser (formerly in As the Eagle Flies) and Marty Rifkin (formerly in Headin’ West) decided to start a band. Marty brought along band mates, David Millman, Cliff Perlow and Michael Sless. David Millman brought in his friend Sherri Cutter, and Danny Escolopio was found through a newspaper ad.
The original lineup (in alphabetical order) was: Sherri Cutter (lead vocals/harmonies), Danny Escolopio (drums), David Millman (lead vocals/harmonies/acoustic guitar), Cliff Perlow (keyboards/guitar), Barry Prosser (lead vocals/harmonies/lead and slide guitar), Marty Rifkin (bass), and Michael Sless (lead guitar).
Photos courtesy of Barry Prosser
This first version was considered a “Country Rock Jam Band” and slanted their song list to the obscure, playing artists such as Dave Mason, The Grateful Dead, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Rowans, Steely Dan, Commander Cody, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Little Feat, The Eagles, Jackson Brown, Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt.
Sherri Escolopio, and Danny Escolopio later formed the group Mason Dixon. Rifkin (see bio) headed for L.A. where pursued an illustrious musical career.
In the late ‘70s, Tall in the Saddle (TITS) played Monday nights at the Pikesville Hilton and were the house band at J.J. Gallagher’s in Fells Point. Other local clubs included E.J. Bugs in Fells Point and Toni’s Dream in Reisterstown. Out-of-town clubs included The Back of the Rack in Ocean City, The Ott House in Emmitsburg, MD and The Open Hearth and The Salty Dog in Pennsylvania.
TITS disbanded in 1979. Twenty years later, they had a reunion show with Claire Constantino sitting in on vocals. Then, in 2000, another reunion featuring Ellen Abrahams Nusgart gave David Millman and Cliff Perlow the spark they were looking for…and the band was resurrected. Today’s TITS still plays a few of the songs they did 25 years ago, but they’ve branched out to more “Mainstream 70s and 80s Rock” including Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Santana, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Seals & Crofts, Sheryl Crow, Fleetwood Mac, Melissa Etheridge, CSNY and Grand Funk Railroad.
In the last few years, they’ve been playing regularly in the Baltimore area including The Hollywood Casino, The Hunt Valley Greene Turtle, The Rams Head in Baltimore and Annapolis, The Recher Theatre, The Barn, The Mallet, The Eight by Ten, The Fishbowl, Ladew Gardens, and The Pikes. They also do fundraisers and private parties.
Lineup for 2013 Stanstock Festival (in alphabetical order): Philip Brotman (drums -played with Cliff Stone’s ‘50s & ‘60s Rock’n’Roll Show, Marquis Soul, Smash Radio and Big Red Audio — also plays with Rob Fahey & The Pieces), David Gaine (percussion), David Millman (lead vocals/harmonies/acoustic guitar), Ellen Abrahams Nusgart (lead vocals/harmonies/keyboards), Cliff Perlow (keyboards/guitar -played with Mason-Dixon), Barry Prosser (lead vocals/harmonies/lead and slide guitar), Jeff Snyder (bass), Steve Topel (lead guitar -played with Hunky Dory, Xalice, Spanky, Jade, Tomorrow’s Promise, Mr. Wilson and Spiral), *Bryan Marc (guest sax -plays with too many other bands to mention), *Paul Soroka – guest sax (plays with Tony Sciuto and too many other bands to mention). Past members have included Bernie Staab (drums)…
Band biography and photos used by permission by Barry Prosser.
