Raising River Band performs in several configurations. RRB South features Sharis Swartley, Steve Burr, Rod Arrington, and Vince “Fireball” Farabaugh. RRB North brings Sharis and Steve together with longtime New Jersey bandmates Dave Cram and Brian Rauch. When all six musicians come together, it is the full Raising River Band.

 Meet the Musicians

Sharis Swartley

Guitar • Lead Vocals • Songwriter

Sharis Swartley is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and storyteller whose original music blends Americana, folk, blues, and heartfelt storytelling. Her expressive voice, love of harmony, and natural connection with audiences are central to the sound and spirit of Raising River Band.

A lifelong songwriter, Sharis has created an extensive catalog of original music exploring hope, resilience, love, remembrance, freedom, and the beauty of everyday life. Whether sharing a moving original song or bringing laughter and warmth to the stage, her greatest hope is to help people feel more connected through music.

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Steve Burr

Guitar • Banjo • Lead Vocals • Songwriter • Band Leader

Music has been part of Steve Burr’s life since he began playing guitar at nine years old. His wide-ranging musical background includes early opera training and years of performing bluegrass, country, folk, blues, classic rock, and heavy metal.

Time spent growing up on a dairy farm nurtured Steve’s love of nature, country life, and roots music. His original songwriting draws from those influences while reflecting the many people and musicians he encountered during his 20 years of military service.

As a co-founder and band leader of Raising River Band, Steve brings strong vocals, instrumental versatility, original songs, and a deep appreciation for the band’s signature harmonies. For Steve, the greatest reward is seeing the music bring joy to the people listening.

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Rod Arrington

Bass • Vocals

Rod Arrington is an accomplished bassist with more than 45 years of professional playing experience. He has performed with national and regional acts throughout Texas, California, and Virginia, bringing a steady, expressive foundation to a wide range of musical settings.

Rod plays electric, fretless, and upright bass with an ear for consistency, groove, and drive. His musical background spans country, blues, bluegrass, and roots music, and he has appeared on numerous studio recordings.

With Raising River Band, Rod’s bass work and vocals anchor the band’s energetic blend of original Americana, harmony-driven songs, and acoustic roots instrumentation.

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Vince “Fireball” Farabaugh

Harmonica

Vince “Fireball” Farabaugh has been part of the Northern Virginia music scene for more than 20 years. A longtime student of the blues and the harmonica, he has developed a soulful, high-energy sound through years of performing with local and regional musicians.

Originally from Gilroy, California, Vince found a deep connection to the vibrant music community surrounding Leesburg, Virginia. He is also a harmonica teacher and active collaborator whose playing brings texture, drive, energy, and unexpected color to every performance.

With Raising River Band, Vince’s harmonica adds a fiery blues and roots voice to the group’s original songs and harmony-rich arrangements.

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Longtime Band Members and Special Performances

Dave Cram

Pedal Steel • Dobro • Resonator Guitar

Dave Cram has played resonator guitar, lap steel, pedal steel, and dobro since the 1960s. His musical journey has taken him across the country, into studios, onto stages, and through a wide variety of musical genres.

His past experience includes performing with the house band at Cousin Dave’s in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the North Country Swing Band, and a Grateful Dead tribute band. Dave especially values Raising River Band’s strong harmonies and the joy the musicians share when playing together.

Outside music, Dave is a lifelong equestrian, professional horse trainer, farmer, and devoted animal lover.

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Brian Rauch

Banjo • Mandolin • Vocals

Brian Rauch is a multi-instrumentalist, music educator, and former music therapist who has studied and played music since childhood. Beginning with piano and trumpet, he later added guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, and harmonica.

Brian has performed as a solo artist and with several musical projects. During his career, he has opened for artists including Commander Cody, Savoy Brown, and Annie Haslam. He also teaches five-string banjo and harmonica at the New Jersey School of Music in Medford.

Brian’s banjo, mandolin, vocals, and deep musical experience have helped shape Raising River Band’s sound through many years of performances and friendship.