Biography

Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys make one feel as if they're traveling in time, maybe back to Louisiana in 1963. Mel Guarino of The Bluebillies said, “There is no other band that I know that can sound so modern and yet so classic and nostalgic. It's at once, "Old Timey" and “Timeless”, echoing the sound and feel of maybe Hank Williams or the Stanley Brothers, with a "hill-billy" edge.”

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival producer, Mary Tyler Doub, one of the leading movers and shakers in the world of bluegrass music, stated “What spoke to me first were Jim’s songs and his voice. He didn’t sound like other singers and I like that uniqueness very much. His lyrics and melodies struck me as fresh and powerful. I wanted those songs and that energy and that sound at Grey Fox.” Their talent was obvious, their personalities disarming and it was clear they were a perfect fit for the festival. Our friendship was instant and I felt a level of trust that you rarely find in this business. These guys are the real deal.”

“Jim Gaudet and The Railroad Boys specialize in a progressively flavored bluegrass sound often containing wickedly funny, all original, satirical lyrics. They are consistently entertaining and have attracted an avid, loyal audience. Don't miss an opportunity to see this band which offers a change of pace and a lot of up tempo fun." --Ted Lehmann, Nominated annually for the IBMA Print/Media Person of The Year

WAMU, Washington, DC, Bluegrass Country host Katy Daley said, “Loved having you on the show, please plan on coming back with your new CD. You are an excellent songwriter and if l lived in the Albany area, l would be a regular at your gigs." Their performance so impressed the NPR station's producers, was chosen to be rebroadcast on the popular show, “Editor's Picks”.

Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys have played four International Bluegrass Music Association festivals that all have a history of being voted festivals of the year: Wintergrass, Seattle (WA); Joe Val Boston (MA); Podunk Hartford (CT), Grey Fox in Oak Hill (NY); and in addition, The Railroad Boys were selected to fill a coveted spot in IBMA's 2013 Bluegrass Ramble in Raleigh, NC. The band has had the honor of appearing on the Music City Roots Live from The Factory PBS television broadcast and are looking forward to a return date soon.

The band was honored to have been featured in a full length profile article in the February 2016 issue of the highly respected “Bluegrass Unlimited” magazine.

THE SONGS - The Railroad Boys are excited and proud to be in the process of releasing their fifth and most recent CD project. “When It Rains” is a collection of fourteen unique and creatively original songs written and arranged by Jim Gaudet. “When It Rains” as in previous releases, once again touches upon Jim’s stories and songs as they wind their way through various themes. You can find yourself on a trip downtown (Going On Downtown), or a journey to Saratoga, NY (Going Up To Saratoga), maybe proving your love with a tattoo (Ink My Name), or realizing luck may be in your future (Lucky Day).

THE RAILROAD BOYS PHILOSOPHY lt is the basic belief of The RR Boys that audience participation leads to a deeper and more meaningful connection. It is typical to hear the band's audience enthusiastically whooping it up during songs like their signature “shout along” titled "So Far So Good" or maybe dancing to “If It Ain’t Cajun”.
The RR Boy's closeness with their listeners is obvious no matter where they perform. They consistently bridge the gap between themselves and their audience, essentially creating one big “down home” family who've been brought together by their shared experience through Jim and The RR Boys songs and musical stories.

THE BAND - The band supports Gaudet's song writing and arrangements with just the right amount of gusto and drive. The group consists of Jim Gaudet, guitar, singer, songwriter, Bobby Ristau, upright bass and backing vocals, Sten Isachsen, mandolin and backing vocals, and either special guests Sara Milonovich or Tucker Callander, on fiddle and backing vocals.