Whole Hog is a bluegrass band that performs timeless hits, eclectic selections from the roots of Americana music. Their sound blends traditional bluegrass repertoire with Irish, vintage jazz, yodeling, country, western swing, honky tonk, original songwriting and special requests. The band gets audiences on the dance floor, putting on entertaining shows at parties, festivals and corporate events. Members' personalities and comradery connect with audiences, while wowing them with instrumental mastery and lush vocal harmonies.
The Ventura-based eclectic bluegrass quartet formed in 2020 during the pandemic and, with the reopening of performance venues in 2022, quickly emerged as a compelling new voice in the Southern California acoustic music scene. Consisting of Seth Andrey Oster (guitar/vocals) Charletta Erb (fiddle/vocals), Keith Frankel (banjo) and Corey Highberg (upright bass/vocals), the band has performed at the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, Huck Finn Jubilee, Gilley’s Saloon Las Vegas, Coffee Gallery Backstage, Boulevard Music, San Diego Folk Heritage, Great 48 Festival, the Rubicon Theatre, Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, Ojai Underground Exchange, South State 48 Festival, Lost Chord Guitars, Namba Arts, 50th Anniversary Little House on the Prairie Festival and was the featured bluegrass band in Dark of the Moon - the Musical. Whole Hog is the winner of the 52nd Annual Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddlers Festival Band Contest in 2024.
-
Seth Andrey Oster
Seth is a contest winning flatpicker, fingerpicker, singer, yodeler, and buckdancer. He has performed with Barbara Morrison and John Tchicai at venues such as the Catalina Jazz Club and the Lighthouse. Trained in jazz and classical guitar at Cal State Northridge, the multi-instrumentalist has continued to nourish his passion for bluegrass, pre-war blues and gypsy jazz
sethandrey.com
-
Charletta Erb
“Sharleeta” is a California State Adult Division Fiddle Champion recognized for her lyrical waltzes and clear tone. She has a deep affection for Irish and Old Time music. With her Rhonda Vincent-esque vocal quality, spunky stage presence and soulful vocal harmonies, she's graced the stage at festivals including: Parkfield, Great 48, South State 48, Good Old Fashioned, and Topanga Tailgate Jam.
charfiddle.com
-
Keith Frankel
Keith found his true passion for music as a teenager when he discovered the five-string banjo. Before moving to California, he worked with a variety of Colorado-based string bands including the Swallow Hill House Band. In addition to performing, he has been a consummate educator and currently teaches at Boulevard Music in Culver City.
-
Corey Highberg
Corey sings and plays upright bass. He teaches, researches, composes, and performs music in a variety of styles. He has a Masters Degree in Musicology from CSU Long Beach.
hughbass.com