Band Bio & Gallery

Leo Kilroe has been playing guitar for over a quarter of a century. He was nurtured in music by his grandfather and father and numerous relatives who all made music together. Leo specializes in jamming and will switch to any instrument needed in a circle. He is the bass player for Rusty Rails and uses the unique “Kala U Bass” which combines the sound of bass guitar with baritone ukulele.

Dr. Randall Moore hails from California and honed his musical skills on the Canadian prairies where he performed with the Regina Folk Guild and toured with the New Homesteaders. After moving to the West Coast he joined the Alouette River Bluegrass Band as lead male vocalist and mandolinist. He also performed as a cast member of the Ridge Meadows Opry. Randy plays the guitar and mandolin and lends smooth vocals to Rusty Rails.

Dr. Len Hatlelid grew up in a musical family and is a gifted singer-songwriter and master guitarist. He and his wife Sharon performed with the Alouette River Bluegrass Band and participated as cast members in the Ridge Meadows Opry. Len rounds out the sound of the Rusty Rails band with his meticulous high harmonies and crafty flat top guitar picking.

Dennis Leclerc sings and plays a mean fiddle in the Rusty Rails band. He has collaborated with many artists over the years, including performing with two time BCCMA Award nominee Thunder Creek. He performed with “Chug a Jug” and the Old Time Fiddlers throughout the summer of expo 86. He also sang and played with Bud West and the Outlanders, the Alouette River Bluegrass Band, the Ridge Meadows Opry and the Francophone group “Alouest.” Dennis contributes a unique sound to the band with his fiddle and whistles. He also sings his original compositions and weaves a set with humorous anecdotes and folklore.

Sheldon Friesen is a sought after music teacher in the Lower Mainland. At the age of eight he began Royal Conservatory music lessons on the accordion. At fourteen he bought a banjo and never looked back. Sheldon has collaborated on recordings and performed with many local artists. He is best known for his vocals and banjo picking with the Bull Frogs bluegrass band. Sheldon contributes strong vocals as well as banjo and ukulele picking skills to Rusty Rails.