The High Rolling Loners are the lonesome heroes of today. Founded in the spring of 2005 by John Verruto as a Flying Burrito Brothers cover band, he soon landed Eric Boone on drums and Ryan Bartell on guitar/vocals, and was supported by a rotating cast of bassists. It quickly turned into an original band, with John and Ryan sharing songwriting duties. Eric named the band after mishearing a line from the song “Railroad Lady”, and before they knew what was happening the High Rolling Loners were born.

Within a year of their formation, the High Rolling Loners had recorded a self-titled EP, and were nominated for two 2006 San Diego Music Awards; Best Country Band, and Best Country/Americana Album. After touring the West Coast in support of the album, the band finalized (sort of!) its roster with the addition of Matt Phillips on bass guitar. Soon they owned a Dodge Econoline, and in 2007 the band hit the road on a month long tour through the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, and Rockies. All the while they kept writing songs, working on their chops, and playing with fireworks.

In 2014 they released Match and Kerosene, recorded and produced by Mark Neil (Black Keys, Charley Crockett) which was also nominated for a San Diego Music Award.

After Matt moved back to the Rockies in 2016, our number one fan Chris Lyon bought a Rickenbacker bass and joined the band. Paul Spees joined on keys in 2018, and Ryan Bartell moved across the country in 2019. After having children and surviving a global pandemic, the High Rolling Loners have embarked on a renaissance mission with Dave Lowenstein joining on lead guitar in 2023.

Current Band Members

John Verruto

Eric Boone (Old Tiger, The Darrows)

Chris Lyon (Abe West)

Paul Spees

Dave Lowenstein (Shoestring Strap, Mudgrass, The Black Sands)

Past Band Members

Ryan Bartell

Matt Phillips

Ted Kocher

Michael Klayman

Eric Daniels

Tim Flood

Al Smith (Bubba)

David Lizerbram