Wheels North (Bluegrass Trio)

We are a bluegrass quartet that specializes in bringing a high-energy show to every event we take part in. We specialize in vocals & can learn any style & cover any genre at the client's request. We can bring top energy if needed, but can also provide an ambiance/background feel if needed/desired. Collectively, we have several decades experience touring & gigging, & bring a level of professionalism to our music & action that pleases every client we've worked with.

Wheels North Bio
Wheels North is a progressive Newgrass band from Northern Illinois comprised of Mark Frystak (guitar/vocal), Hayley Skreens (banjo/vocal), Jesse Fuller (bass/vocal) and Chris Grant (violin). Wheels North offers powerful three-part harmonies, skillfully crafted song arrangements, and an enticing catalog of originals and covers. Their live show is engaging and energetic, challenging the limits of grass-based music.

Mark Frystak provides a driving force on his Martin D-28 dreadnought guitar while leading vocal duties. Frystak's warm vocal tone & exploration of rhythm idiosyncrasies are cornerstones of his playing, spearheading the direction of each piece. As the former frontman of Close Enough, Frystak carries on his inventive song design to Wheels North.

Hayley Skreens delivers heart and soul with her signature vocal and banjo style. Her jazz-country vocal approach and melodic banjo interpretation are deliberately expressed in this progressive band. Having worked as a nationally touring artist for years in Under the Willow, she is happy to ground roots in the Chicagoland area.

Jesse Fuller brings a stunningly thoughtful element to bluegrass bass. The electric bass is chosen as a nod to the greats of the Newgrass genre, with the intention to push boundaries and his rock background. Instinctively knowing the needs of each piece is his foremost strength on bass, vocals, and arrangement. Fuller has most recently collaborated with the nationally touring act River Valley Rangers, and is now lending his laundry list of talents to Wheels North.

Chris Grant offers his eclectic violin style to complete the Wheels North sound. Having musical history in jazz, classical and gypsy fiddle, he yields a wide array of skills to further twist the take on Newgrass. Grant has collaborated with a myriad of projects, and in addition to Wheels North you can find him slaying on the telecaster in the outstanding band, Tiny Country.

Wheels North has full sound capabilities & can fill spaces small to large with our product. We use Behringer boards, QSC speakers/monitors, LR Baggs/Fishman amplifiers, Mogami accessories, Martin guitars, Prucha Banjos, Kay basses, Ear Trumpet Labs/Shure microphones, Behringer input units, & Samsung tablets to meet the needs of the variety of sound needs we come across.