Russ Rentler – Gifted Multi-Instrumentalist Blending Appalachian-rooted Songwriting with Folk, Celtic, and Blues Traditions

Russ Rentler returns to familiar ground with a performance shaped by Appalachian tradition, folk songwriting, and Celtic and blues influences. A founding member of the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band alongside John Gorka and Richard Shindell, Rentler is known for fast-moving sets filled with instrument changes, sharp storytelling, and dry humor drawn from a life that once balanced medicine and music. Now fully devoted to performing, he brings a deeply personal show to Godfrey Daniels’ Live Music Listening Room—an evening built for close listening, connection, and songs that unfold with purpose.

Russ Rentler
russrentler.com

Russ started playing stringed instruments with his first ukulele in 5th grade, purchased with S+H Green stamps in Dover, NJ.  After a brief stint in heavy metal bands in high school, he discovered bluegrass, which led to a lifelong love of acoustic music.  On his first night at Moravian College, he met John Gorka, where they were both playing at an open mic.  They soon formed The RAZZY DAZZY SPASM BAND, with Doug Anderson and were joined the following year by Rich Shindell on lead guitar. Russ was the mandolin player, John played an incredible 5-string banjo, and Doug Andersen provided the solid rock rhythm on his custom-made Froggy Bottom guitars. Tim Germer later joined as a bass player. Throughout all four years of college, they played around the Lehigh Valley orbiting around Godfrey Daniel's and the Southside of Bethlehem, PA.

After college, Russ went to medical school, Doug received a Ph.D., and needless to say, John and Rich went on to well-deserved fame and glory in the folk music world.

During his medical training, Russ continued to pursue his passion of acoustic music and picked up both hammer and mountain dulcimer, fiddle, dobro, autoharp, and bouzouki.  He also began building his own hammered dulcimers and plays his own instruments on stage.

While continuing to practice general internal medicine and geriatrics, Russ played as often as he could at local bookstores, churches, open-mics, and music festivals. On Mr. Gorka's return trips to the Lehigh Valley and Eastern PA, Russ often joins him on stage to play backup mandolin. In 2007, Russ played mandolin on John's DVD, "Gypsy Life," accompanied by Michael Manring on bass, recorded in UCLA's Colbert Hall.

In 2016, Russ retired from medical practice. This has finally allowed him to pursue his lifelong dream and passion for performing original and traditional music.  He counts Bob Dylan, John McCutcheon, and Walt Michaels as major influences in his style.  His live performances are a mix of folk, Celtic, and blues-inspired tunes with multiple instrument changes interspersed with his offbeat humor and wry observations about life that keep audiences coming back for more.