Red Star Express

Red Star Express - Band members

Gerry Jost

Gerry Jost founded Red Star Express as a jam band in 1993. Over the years, Gerry has hosted RSE rehearsals in his family barn in Newton, WI, thus giving Red Star Express its home base. Gerry plays the mandolin and loves to wail on his blues harp for leads and background in the NewtonGrass mode. He also shares his unique voice as a lead and background singer with the group.

Mike Mathes

993c44d999ae4f7baf0e50529f56d530 — One of Red Star Express' lead singers, Mike serves as the band's emcee. He also plays the rhythm guitar to fill out the background sounds. A journalist by trade, Mike has also written several original Gospel tunes the band shares at its Gospel concert series. Contact him at his email address mike@deltapublications.com to schedule RSE for a concert at your venue.

One of Red Star Express' lead singers, Mike serves as the band's emcee. He also plays the rhythm guitar to fill out the background sounds. Mike has also written several original Gospel tunes the band shares at its Gospel concert series. Contact him at his email address mike@deltapublications.com to schedule RSE for a concert at your venue.

Steve Nothem

Steve dobro smile20170119 26728 1hmmax1 — A 40-year stage veteran, Steve has played with bands since his teen years. Gifted on many instruments, he holds down the upright bass, providing the glue that holds Red Star Express together at the seams. Steve is also a gifted guitar player and loves to play dobro and lap steel. In his spare time, he also performs with Carol and the Keynotes, a well-known three-piece Wisconsin polka band. On stage, Steve keeps the show moving by inserting a bit of off-color humor now and then, mostly pointed at our banjar picker.

A 40-year stage veteran, Steve has played with bands since his teen years. Gifted on many instruments, Steve has taken the reins of the dobro, bringing a new sound to Red Star Express. In his spare time, he also performs with Carol and the Keynotes, a well-known three-piece Wisconsin polka band. On stage, Steve keeps the show moving by inserting a bit of off-color humor now and then, mostly pointed at our banjar picker.

Galen "Tex" Hunt

D0ff6dc3a6f14e08a40d6b5b061a4a72 — Galen "Tex" Hunt provides the bluegrass engine for Red Star Express with his solid Scrugg's style banjo picking. He is equally adept on the dojo, lending his talents to our soft ballads. "Tex" serves as our harmony coach, having been raised in the shape note singing traditions of the South.

Galen "Tex" Hunt provides the bluegrass engine for Red Star Express with his solid Scrugg's style banjo picking. He is equally adept on the dojo, lending his talents to our soft ballads. "Tex" serves as our harmony coach, having been raised in the shape note singing traditions of the South.

Jon Kabat

Jon is the glue that hold the Red Star Express sound together. Steady on the doghouse bass, Jon holds the title "most youthful member" of RSE. He also is an up-and-coming harmony and lead singer with the band, taking on a new role in the vocal department.

Guest Fiddler

Jenny Holmes
Jenny has been playing occasional gigs with Red Star Express since 2014. She is a regular in our lineup for SwampNGrass and adds a great deal to our shows when she is available. Loves the old fiddle tunes, but likes to improvise as well. Former member of the Back Alley Blossoms, and current playing member of the Mixed Nuts Band.