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Tom W. Jones plays the 5
string banjo, 6 and 12 string guitars, and sings vocals with the 5
Milers. Tom is one of the founding members of the 5 Milers and has
been playing and singing folk music since 1963. He is a 1966
graduate of Neenah High School. He and his wife, Pat, both graduated
from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus. Tom had a 34 year
career in sales with 3M and retired in 2007. Pat taught French
before embarking on a 23 year career with AT&T.
They reside in Venice, Florida, and besides singing they like to golf and ski.
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Rob Billings plays 12 string guitar and sings vocals. He and his wife Lynn (formerly Schmidt) are members of the Neenah High School Class of 1966. Rob is in the window business and Lynn has had a long career in real estate. Rob is one of the founding members of the 5 Milers. Rob and Terry both graduated from St. Olaf College. The first guitar he ever brought home was a $6.00 guitar in 1962. Besides singing Rob and Lynn enjoy travel, walking and being involved in The Vine Christian Fellowship, a local Christian church in Appleton. |
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Terry Bigalke is another founding member of the 5 Milers, and plays six-string guitar and sings lead vocals. He is a 1966 graduate of Neenah High School, and is married to his high school sweetheart, Jan Buchta, class of 1967. Terry and Jan live in Honolulu, Hawaii where Terry directs the education division of the East-West Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to building greater understanding and ties between the people of the United States and those of Asian and Pacific nations. Jan administers specialized English as a Second Language programs at the University of Hawaii. They still regularly visit the Fox Valley, where several members of their extended families reside.
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Nancy retired in 2007 after 35 years with
the Weyerhaeuser Company. Her husband Joe is retired from the
construction equipment and real estate businesses. Nancy played
string bass with the Neenah High School orchestra in the 60's, and
has played fiddle and sung with several bluegrass bands in Hot
Springs, Arkansas since 1980. Nancy, Joe, and Mitzi (their shelter
dog) enjoy travelling to local bluegrass and folk festivals in their
travel trailer. She also volunteers at the local animal shelter,
and she is learning to play golf with the "Lady Duffers". Her favorite
musical memory was the day the Kingston Trio came to Hot Springs,
accepted an invitation to a party at her house, and jammed with
their bluegrass band!
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Lauren is a retired Learning
Disabilities Teacher from the Appleton School District. His wife
Ellen, worked as a secretary in various offices. They are both
involved as volunteers in many non-profit organizations. Lauren
started on the bass viol in high school in l950. He has performed
with symphony orchestras, blue grass, country, jazz and big bands. We
were very pleased to have Lauren's excellent bass playing at the Shawano
Festival in 07 and we welcome Lauren as the newest 5 Miler.
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