Bourbon Aristocracy is a bluegrass quintet from Chicago, IL featuring fiddler/vocalist Ryan Hinshaw, banjoist/vocalist Joe Rauen, bassist Pete Wojtowicz, guitarist/vocalist Ethan Taylor Sellers, and frequent special guests on mandolin and dobro. The name Bourbon Aristocracy pays tribute to the fine Kentucky whiskey from the Bluegrass State and one of its members' distant relatives. Part of Ethan Taylor Sellers' extended family hails from Kentucky and includes E.H. Taylor, the grand-nephew of President Zachary Taylor. E.H. Taylor began what is now the Buffalo Trace distillery and was the father of the modern bourbon industry, through his improvements in bourbon quality control, production, finance, sales, promotion, and his work to secure the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 and Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. The two pieces of legislation collectively ensure the authenticity and purity of bourbon whiskey through stringent requirements to protect the consumer from low-quality whiskey with often-dangerous additives. As with his distant relative's unceasing efforts to insure a top quality bourbon, Sellers and his bandmates in the Bourbon Aristocracy work constantly to make sure that you get top-quality Bluegrass music with a full complement of top-notch instrumentalists and sweet vocal harmonies. Just as great bourbon starts with clear Kentucky water, Sellers - an active musician with 5 other working bands - recruited the best musicians he could find. Before joining the Bourbon Aristocracy, North Carolina native Ryan Hinshaw fiddled and sang with the world-traveling bluegrass band Henhouse Prowlers, banjoist Joe Rauen holds a degree from Berklee College of Music, bassist Pete Wojtowicz studied bass at Northwestern University, and a variety of hot-shot mandolin players (Pat Otto, Jon Williams, and Ben Benedict) and dobro master Rob Anderlik. As with good bourbon, the ingredients list and process is simple: excellent musicianship, choice bluegrass standards and contemporary songs, and a commitment to making not only great music but a fun time for everyone. Here's to your good taste!