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Here's the scoop...
At the age of four, with a mandolin his Grandparents would give to him on his fifth
birthday, Justin started his pursuit of a life in music. He developed a portfolio of tunes by listening to his dad whistle
the melodies over and over until he was able to duplicate them on his mandolin.
Over the next few years he would learn
to sing, play guitar and fiddle in jam bands around the Marshfield, Missouri area where he was raised. Justin's parents, William
Jack and Judy Bertoldie, always made sure that Justin was involved in anything musical. This consisted of countless weekends
at dance parties, bluegrass festivals, fiddle contests, and any other shindig that had a corner big enough to play in. With
little coaxing Justin would form a band with brother John Bertoldie, sister Jana Bertoldie Pate and long time family friend
Allan Cantrell. The Bertoldie Family Band performed for six years through the midwest, developing a loyal fan base which still
exists today, and proved to be the foundation for skills Justin would use the rest of his life.
During this period of time,
Justin also met Missouri natives Art Galbraith and Gordan McCann who helped Justin become involved with the National Endowment
of Arts, Master Apprenticeship program, that introduced Justin to a new world of fiddle music. It developed Justin's appreciation
for Missouri,s old time fiddle tunes that he hopes to help keep alive for generations to enjoy.
In 1990 and 1991, Justin
entered into the mandolin competition at the Walnut Valley National Flatpicking Contest, held annually in Winfield, KS. He
would place second, both years behind players from Japan and Czechoslovakia.
After things started slowing down with his
family band, Justin decided to go full time playing in Branson, MO with the Braschler Music Show and various bands at Silver
Dollar City including the Horse Creek Band. After fours years Justin was approached to go on the road with Super Picker Roy
Clark.
Performing with Clark and his band enable Justin to meet and play with incredible musicians all over the country.
It was during this period of time that Justin started pursuing a solo career while still touring with Mr. Clark. Although
Clark has a busy road schedule, Justin writes and records with artists in and out of Nashville between tours.
Through trips
to Nashville and a mutual friend, Justin was introduced to record producer Larry Michael
Lee who has enjoyed an outstanding
career as an original member of The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and producer of many platinum albums. Larry lent his expertice
on five of the cuts on Justin's latest project, "Its Just Me".
Bringing us to the present, Justin has put together a band
consisting of some of the most talented musicians and writers in the area. Richard Kennedy, bass guitar; James Ingle, drums
and percussion;
David Smith, keyboards and banjo; Ralph Lowe, electric and acuostic guitars, and sound by C&S Audio,
owned
and operated by Chris Armstrong and Sid Pierce.
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