Richard Dempsey- Lead Guitar, Vocals

Richard Dempsey would like to take credit for the Cosmic Cowboys concept, but the real credit goes to Gram Parsons, the godfather of the Country Rock genre. Gram called it "Cosmic American Music"  and who are we to disagree? 

Richard's career began as a rock-n-roll guitarist turned solo folk performer.  He followed that with stints as a singing bassist in TWO BLOCKS SOUTH,
an early St. Louis Country Rock band. Richard also played with 
Country act LINDA MOORE & COMPANY and later with The CONVICTS. (not a prison band)  He also fronted the Sixties Power Pop Trio The UNEXPECTED.

Fred Gumaer- Drums, Vocals

Drummer Fred Gumaer was born in Poughkeepsie, New York back in the 20th Century. As a teenager he heeded Rodney Dangerfield's advice and "took some lessons". He started out playing rock and roll but soon gravitated to more roots oriented music (country, bluegrass, blues, and R & B). He recorded with bluesmen Eddie Kirkland and Little Sammy Davis in the early 1970s. He traveled to Texas in the late 70s to play country music. The following year he came to St. Louis to join The Road Apples. He eventually returned to Texas (Austin) were he played with the likes of Robert Earl Keen, The Austin Lounge Lizards, Darden Smith, and Lyle Lovett. In 1985 he and his wife Joanne started a family and moved back to St. Louis. He has resided there ever since, playing with his friends from the Road Apples days as well as The Zydeco Crawdaddys and numerous other bands. He continues to host the long running radio program, "The Midday Jamboree" on KDHX 88.1 fm. Fred is now a part of The Cosmic Cowboys and happy to be here.



Conni Harbison-Vocals, (and percussion on occasion)

Lead Female Vocalist, Conni Harbison was born and raised in St. Louis.  She attended college in West Tennessee where she fell in love with country music, and turned from her classical vocal training to pursue the sounds of Martina McBride, Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Patsy Cline.   Conni has enjoyed performing with a wide variety of local musicians, but is crazy for the Cowboys.  Conni loves writing, learning to play the guitar, and laughing as much as possible.  Conni and her girls reside in Kirkwood, Missouri.

 

Jim Peters, Sr.- Pedal Steel, Vocals

Jim has put down his usual weapon of choice, the 6 string guitar for the 10 string E9 pedal steel, bringing to the Cosmic Cowboys the unique flavors and sounds of the steel guitar.

Jim has a long musical history in St. Louis, playing guitar in local bands TWILIGHT JUMP, THREE TOGETHER,  SWIRL, and steelin’ with TOM WOOD and JUKEBOX COUNTRY.

Humble Jim is one of STL's premier pedal steel players!






Rick Rahmberg-Bass Guitar, Vocals

Rick adds a solid bottom end to the country folk sound of the Cosmic Cowboys.

Rick is a versatile musician, and in addition to the bass guitar, plays the electric guitar, mandolin, and jug when asked.

Prior STL bands Rick has been a member of include: THE ROAD APPLES, the famous ACOUSTICITY, ROGERS-NIENHAUS BAND, KEROSENE WILLY, THOSE ZANY MAGPIES, JBF FLYERS, TOM WOOD & FRIENDS, BOB HEYER
and TITUS & WEHLING.