English-Rudler

Eyes raised when rocker-liberal John Mellencamp and country-conservative Travis Tritt joined forces for a single in 2004.

But nobody should bat an eye about two music veterans who banded together last fall in West County, even if they do plan to cover that Tritt-Mellencamp song, "What Say You."

In their acoustic duo, Terry English and Bob Rudler take turns on vocals, trading off songs.

Their taste isn't dissimilar. Rudler loves the Beatles, so you'll hear "I Will" or "Julia," for instance. English has an Eagles' eye. But they also both like Merle Haggard and several modern-day country singers.

"We leave it up to each other what we want to play," said Rudler, who was part of the long-running Rudler Brothers. "Terry's got a different blend of songs than I do. He's got maybe some older country and blends it with some of the newer country. We accompany each other well and harmonize."

Mixing up-tempo songs with ballads, English-Rudler produces a full, clean sound.

"People are always saying it's amazing how much music we make for two guys," Rudler said.

In the 1970s, English wrote and recorded songs in Nashville and Florida, where his "Naples Bay" was a staple on country radio. Performing on the West Virginia Jamboree in Wheeling, he also got to warm up big names, such as George Jones and Merle Haggard. After moving to Pennsylvania in 1984, he was part of Cimarron (with Rudler) and later Nightshift.

HOMETOWN
Lake City and Albion.

BAND MEMBERS
Terry English, vocals, guitar; Bob Rudler, vocals, guitar.

THE INSPIRATION
In 1984, English and Rudler played together in the country band Cimarron. After that ended, they didn't jam together much, until English put together a group to play a benefit last year.

"That was the first time Bobby and I had played together in some time," English said. "It was so much fun, Bobby and I couldn't quit talking about it. He and I did a couple acoustic numbers during the show. When we took a break, we were chatting and grinning and talking about playing acoustic. It's just different; there's nothing like that sound."

THE SOUND
Vintage rock, country, and pop — and a smattering of more recent songs — played acoustic with harmonies.

THE SONG LIST
English likes to sing Eagles, Bob Seger, Keith Whitley, Kenny Rogers, and a few by old-timers such as Jimmie Rodgers and Merle Haggard. Rudler enjoys singing the Beatles, Neil Young, Collin Raye, Phil Vassar, and James Taylor.

WHAT'S IN YOUR CD PLAYER NOW?
Rudler: "Shaken not Stirred" by Phil Vassar. English: "Mad Season" by Matchbox Twenty.

ARTIST YOU'D MOST LIKE TO OPEN FOR English:
James Taylor, Don Henley, Bob Seger. Rudler: If he were alive, John Lennon.

LAST GOOD CONCERT YOU SAW
Rudler: Phil Vassar at the Warner Theatre.

English: James Taylor at Blossom. "He was fantastic. He just blew my mind."

CDS
Not yet, but Rudler and English hope to record one with songs about the Earth and conservation in 2005. It would include "Let Them Grow Free," which English wrote for a 2004 Lake Erie Region Conservancy benefit.

WEB SITE Still to come.