Bryan Garlotte

Photography by Michael Teaford

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Bryan Garlotte was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and grew up in Indianapolis. His music career started in the 7th grade singing "rock" in a garage band. He took up the banjo because everyone played the guitar and the banjo seemed "cool".

Bryan learned to play bluegrass from listening to albums and reading books all the while playing country rock tunes with his friends. It wasn't until 1993 after moving to Michigan that he started meeting bluegrass musicians through the West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association. He's played in a couple of different bluegrass bands, one of which is "Backburner" that still plays together.

"Terry invited me to play at a party with Patchwork in the fall of 2003. One thing led to another and I was absorbed into "Patchwork" through musical osmosis. Weird!"