ARTIST

Guitarist, singer, and harmonicist Art Stevenson (Babcock, Wisconsin) has been a stalwart supporter and performer of bluegrass and roots music in Wisconsin since the 1970s. Since 1993, Art has led Art Stevenson & High Water, known throughout the Midwest as a top-notch traditional bluegrass band. Art is known for his soulful lead singing on traditional bluegrass, classic country, and western ballads; and for his driving rhythm guitar playing and exciting harmonica breakdowns. Art and High Water have released several albums of their music. He is the promoter of Bluegrass In The Pines, a long running bluegrass music festival in Rosholt, Wisconsin. Art hosts the popular Back To The Country music show on WORT 89.9 FM, Madison. White Oak Records released Art’s first harmonica album Bluegrass Harmonica in 2023, followed by “Detour” on Wolf Tracks Records in 2025. Art also plays music with The Foragers, with Chris Silver, and with Adam Greuel & The Space Burritos.

Dale Reichert has played banjo, Dobro, guitar, and lap steel in various bands in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kentucky since the 1980s. Dale has been with Art Stevenson & High Water since 1993. Dale plays a hard driving, exciting Scruggs style five-string banjo, influenced by Earl Scruggs, Sonny Osborne, and Ralph Stanley. His Dobro is tuned like a lap steel guitar, a tuning rarely heard in bluegrass music, adding a soulful sound to the ballads and country songs. Dale blends in on baritone and bass harmony parts on vocal trios and quartets, and he has written several instrumental pieces for banjo and mandolin. Dale also plays with The Foragers, and with his own combo, The Resonators.

Bruce B. King has played bluegrass music in various Wisconsin bands since the 1970s. Bruce joined High Water in 2001, bringing hard-driving mandolin chops and solos to the High Water bluegrass sound. Bruce specializes in Bill Monroe compositions for the mandolin, and he has dozens of them in his repertoire. Bruce is a versatile singer on lead, baritone, and tenor vocals. Art describes Bruce’s tenor singing as “rust-belt industrial,” keeping the high, lonesome sound alive in bluegrass music. He also plays lead guitar and fiddle.

Bruce Royal King joined High Water in 2020, when Art’s wife Stephanie Stevenson left the band after 27 years. Bruce Royal is indeed the son of our mandolin player! Young Bruce is comfortable holding down the rhythmic drive, and thrills the audience with his exciting slapped bass solos when the occasion arises. Bruce R. has played in bluegrass and string bands since his high school days, and sings baritone and lead on High Water songs. Bruce and his Dad are featured on duets in High Water’s shows!

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