B l u e g r a s s    B a n d

The Salt Martians are a Santa Barbara-based, all-acoustic bluegrass band, established in 2005. Ken Gaston (lead vocals and guitar) and Tim Mullins (banjo, dobro and harmony vocals) first performed together in the mid-Seventies at the legendary Bluebird Cafe. Mark Olson (mandolin and harmony vocals) of North Fork, CA and formerly of the Live Oak String Band, adds his (relatively) youthful spark to the band. The newest member, Phil Pritchard (string bass and harmony vocals) has over forty years in bluegrass with the Floyd County Boys, giving the Martians almost four thousand Earth years of combined playing experience. Their enjoyment of playing bluegrass music together -- from Bill Monroe to the Byrds -- is virulently contagious.

Here's a picture of the Martians at the 2010 Parkfield Bluegrass Festival.

Here are some candid pictures of the Martians in their younger days.