Marc Morgandale

Drums/Vocals

Marc started on drums at age 16. He now plays with multiple area bands, including Plush, End of the Innocence, and Cracklin Diamond. He has a prodigious ability to remember all the tempos and arrangements of the thousands of songs those bands play. We’re happy to have him singing harmonies, while keeping us in time and on the ball!

Bill Flemer

Bass/Vocals

Bill grew up on his family’s tree nursery near Princeton, N.J. His house in the woods in Kingwood Township is where Bakersfield hangs its hat. Inspired by the British Invasion bands and the Lovin’ Spoonful, he started
on guitar at age 14. His joy has always been playing with others, and he assembled bands in high school, college, and thereafter. During and after college he played bluegrass with friends and family members. He
transitioned to country music in recent years, and is delighted with the talents of his co-members in Bakersfield. His other interests include woodworking, nature, and good meals with good friends.

Rich Adler

Lead Guitar

Rich has spent years performing folk, blues, and country music at clubs and festivals in PA, NJ and NY.  He spins his 50's Telecaster and old Martin D-18 into an exciting whirlwind of soulful licks and searing solos. He is devotee of the edgy chickin'-pickin and twangy guitar styles pioneered by the great Bakersfield guitarists of the 50s and 60s.

Michael Clagett

Piano/Guitar/Vocals

Michael grew up in various college towns, including Princeton, where he and Bill became friends. Michael heard and appreciated the beauty of country music at a young age. He founded his dream band, Bakersfield, a few years ago, and loves what we create together. His day jobs have been in I. T., and he is devoted to his wife, daughter, and faithful dog Winnie.

Hilary Orlando

Vocals

Hilary is a classically trained pianist/organist/conductor and college professor as well as a down-home country girl.  She enjoys teaching, substituting in churches, and collaborating with musicians of varied genres.  She comes from a heritage of classical and country musicians, some of whom are still performing today.  Hilary also homeschools her son and enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring wild places in nature.

Lucy Simms

Vocals

Lucy grew up steeped in traditional country music, singing harmonies with her father at home, family gatherings, local taverns, and nursing homes. Influenced by legends like Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, Linda Ronstadt, and Patty Loveless, she went on to perform with the Tim Gillis Band—NJ’s premier country dance band—in the mid-90s, appearing at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse and other Tri-State venues until Tim’s retirement in 2019. Lucy shares popular country tunes from the ’50s to early 2000s, delivering them with a strong, melodic voice and lively stage presence. She says, “My dad instilled in me a deep love of country music, the kind with steel guitar and fiddle that touches your heart. My wish when I sing is that the music and lyrics touch the audience in theirs.

Ted Russel

Pedal Steel/Guitar

Ted is one of the busiest steel players around. He started playing pedal steel while in college, which means his music career has now spanned half a century, and still counting!  In addition to Bakersfield, he currently plays with Lambertville’s Reel To Real Band, south Jersey’s Bullzeye Band, and the legendary John Eddie and his Dirty Old Band. He also gets opportunities to fill in with several area bands as well as calls for studio work for other local artists. When not gigging he enjoys traveling and nurturing his home garden of native pollinator plants.