Flint Hill Express

Flint Hill Express Bluegrass Band

 A Blend of Bluegrass, Gospel, and Folk Music, with a Nice Touch of Country 

Jude Ruth – Rhythm Guitar / Vocals.  Hatfield, PA. Founder of ”Flint Hill Express”. Member of “The Doylestown Jam” and” Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Association”. Jude picked up a guitar for the first time in 1967 at the age of 15. After learning 3 chords she bought an old 12 string Framus for $60.00. She would buy a 45 record, write down the lyrics and then figure out the chords. Most influential at this time was Peter Paul & Mary, John Denver and Simon and Garfunkel. For the next 42 years she was an occasional living room player of her songs from youth while working and raising her children. In 2009 she was encouraged by her husband to look into the widely known “Doylestown Jam” and do a bit more with her love of music. A friend told her to “Drop the 12 string and buy a 6 string.” She invested in a 6 string Canadian Seagull and the rest is history. What started out in 2009 as a personal challenge of overcoming her fear of public speaking and learning to play guitar along with others, turned into so much more. Today, Jude enjoys sharing the music that has developed into a busy and fulfilling hobby. Raised in Ewing, N.J. Jude has lived in The Catskill Mountains of N.Y., and traveled the world 1 ½ times. She now lives in Hatfield, PA with her husband Dave. 

Ben Jarnutowski – 5-String Banjo/Vocals. – Perkasie, PA.  Founder of The Doylestown Bluegrass Jam and member of the Appalachian Fiddle and Bluegrass Association. Originally from Feasterville, PA, Ben now resides in Hilltown with his family. At the age of 10 Ben picked up an accordion, learning theory and keyboard. At age 14 his father coaxed him into joining the Harrowgate String Band, Hulmeville PA, and marched in the Philadelphia Mummer's Parade for several years until he put music away to follow his career and raise his family. Fast forward about 30 years and knowing his desire to play a banjo, his wife presented him with a left-handed 5-string banjo. With banjo and flatpick in hand at his first lesson, his instructor asked what type of music he liked, Ben's response was "Dixieland", his instructor smiled, took away the flatpick, gave him finger picks and introduced him to "Bluegrass", and Ben never looked back. In 2002 Ben founded The Doylestown Jam, where folks meet weekly to learn and play their favorite Bluegrass, Country, Folk, and Gospel Songs in friendly surroundings. Today musicians/travelers from across the US stop in to join the weekly fun. He also hosts an annual Bluegrass Festival known as "BenFest". 

Tom Campbell – Mandolin/Vocals. Huntington Valley, Pa. Member of The Doylestown Jam and Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Association. Tom has always been interested in playing an instrument. Over the years he has tried banjo, fiddle and guitar.  While vacationing in 2009, a friend told him about Albert Hall in Waretown, N.J. After stopping by and listening to the front porch musicians he began to search for something similar in the Montgomery Co. Pa. area and found the Doylestown Jam. With the passing of his Mother, Tom inherited her mandolin and started attending the Doylestown Jam.  He learned the tunes and found many helpful friends that made learning easy. He likes up tempo instrumentals and accompanying others with background melodies. Tom’s talents include the ability to draw cartoon caricatures, which mirrors his sense of humor. We are proud to acknowledge 2014 as Toms 50th anniversary as an active Fire Fighter in Huntingdon Valley, PA. 

Ray Bizup - Lead Guitar and Vocals. Feasterville Pa.  Member of “The Doylestown Jam” since 2022. The seed for bluegrass was planted in 67 after hearing Foggy Mountain Breakdown in the movie Bonnie and Clyde.  Soon after, the bluegrass seed was watered a bit when a bluegrass band spilled out of a big old car and he heard them play in front of the general store in Jackson Kentucky .  The seed sprouted, but over the next several years the sprout was choked out by the static on the FM radio waves up north.  Then in high school, a musical epiphany occurred when a friend gave him a ticket to see Doc and Merle at the Academy of Music in Philly Pa. Ray was self taught from age 11 until the mystery of finger picking got the best of him and he decided to take lessons from National Finger Picking Champion Rolly Brown so he could learn Deep River Blues and other finger picking classics.   Meanwhile, Doc’s Black Mount Rag and Norman Blake’s Blackberry Blossom still haunted him.  So, again he decided to seek out lessons - this time from National Flat Picking Champion Mark Cosgrove to learn a handful of f iddle tunes.  Then, on a trip to Nashville he heard 2020 IBMA Bluegrass Guitar Player of the Year, Jake Workman with Kentucky Thunder and was immediately drawn to his improvisational skills and has been one of his students ever since.  Ray played with Janey Colorado and the Virginia Gentlemen before the turn of the century until they had to abandon (rumor has it they were accused of impersonating a bluegrass band and had to leave town quickly).  As fate would have it, Ray decided to go check out “The Doylestown Jam” one evening and the rest is history.

Mike Wuerstle – Acoustic Bass/Vocals. - Haycock Township, PA. Active IBMA member, AFBA member and Doylestown Jam member.
Mike grew up and has lived in Upper Bucks county all his life. Mike has loved all types of music from an early age. Starting out on Piano when he was in elementary school, he switched to bass in his early 20s to be able to play with friends while camping at music festivals. During this younger time he loved attending festivals like The Philadelphia Folk Festival, the AFBA festival going all the way back to when it was held at Kline's grove as well as the Shartelsville bluegrass festival and Winterhawk in Upstate New York. This cemented his love for outdoor music festivals, which continues to this day at the remainders of these festivals as well as many other festivals. Mike always had a passion for radio and in 2002 started hosting a bluegrass show on WXLV which continued on for over 10 years. In 2005 he also joined WDVR where he still hosts a weekly bluegrass show, “The Bluegrass Horizon” on Monday evenings which showcases the wide range of current bluegrass from traditional to progressive as well as regional bluegrass acts. Mike reports to the Bluegrass Unlimited radio chart.
When he is not doing something with music, Mike is an avid hiker, having hiked 1000s of miles, a caver, loves riding his Harley as well as working on electronics projects.