This Heart of Mine
Dark Hollow
Moonlight Medley: Sitting alone in the moonlight/ Midnight Moonlight/ After Midnight
Bluegrass with a touch of the Wild West
4 piece Bluegrass Band
Donner Party String Band
Bluegrass Church Service
3 piece small brewery
3 piece Jerrygrass fest
City Memorial Day Program
Private Party on balcony
Upbeat Acoustic Americana! Melodic Bluegrass with a nod to the Wild West, Instrumentals and Originals.
We can mix up bluegrass with acoustic folkrock like The Grateful Dead, CSN etc. or stick to bluegrass and some fiddle tunes...we can discuss your preferences. Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Donner Rusk with banjo, mandolin, fiddle and standup bass ... Usually 3 or 4 players, but can be 2-6 depending on budget and needs. Family friendly and we love kids and pets.
Donner Rusk (vocals/guitar/mandolin)
Matt Gadeken
(violin/mando/vocals)
Dave Macon (banjo)
Ken Lucas (mando, guitar, vocals)
Teresa Penrose
(upright bass/vocals)
(NOTE: We are unable to play indoors where smoking is allowed)
3 reviews
Jason F.
June 4, 2026The band showed up on time, and exceeded our expectations. Music was just what I needed for my corporate event networking hour - great job! Highly recommend!
Hired as: Bluegrass Band
Amanda S.
October 12, 2025Donner and his crew played some bluegrass tunes for our wedding and did a phenomenal job! They were so great to work with, highly collaborative and communicative in the planning process, and are such talented musicians to boot. I would highly suggest them for any event.
Hired as: Bluegrass Band
Tracey M.
August 15, 2025We booked the whole band for a 50th anniversary party. They were amazing and even learned a song for the celebrating couple.
They were quick to respond to any questions and I would definitely book them again!
Hired as: Americana Band
Price range: Contact for rates
Gig length: 120 - 240 minutes
The Donner Party String Band is a wonderfully unique group blending Bluegrass with 60s/70s acoustic folkrock like The Grateful Dead etc .. Donner Rusk has been performing around St Louis for a few years with the Roots Brothers, the Whirled Peas, the Early Birds and top shelf Bluegrass musicians featuring the talents of Dave Macon on banjo, Teresa Penrose upright bass/ vocals, Ken Lucas on mando, guitar and vocals and Matt Gadeken violin, vocals and mandolin. We are family friendly and love working around kids and pets. We can perform with 2-6 pieces depending on your needs and budget.
(No indoor smoking venues please)
Wednesday
Corporate Event
3:30pm - 5:30pm
•
St Louis, MO
Saturday
Anniversary Party
4:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Eureka, MO
Going to the Races (Flatt and Scruggs)
Friend of the Devil
Dark Hollow
This Heart of Mine (New Grass Revival)
Steam Powered Aereoplane (John Hartford)
Sitting Alone in the Moonlight
Midnight Moonlight
After Midnight
I know you Rider
The Hobo Song
Rain
Freight Train
The Girl I left Behind
Big Sciota
St. Anne's Reel
Not Fade Away
Goin Down the Road
Vamp in the Middle
Pig in a Pen
Two dollar bill
These Days
Glendale Train
Ripple
Flatt and Scruggs, Jerry Garcia, Bill Monroe, John Hartford...
Electricity for PA
Bluegrass Band