In the early 1990s, while local grunge bands were achieving mainstream popularity, the genre of country music was expanding in the local music scene. Jeff and Steve Ridler, brothers from Snohomish, Washington, formed their country-rock band, the Ridler Brothers, in the mid-1980s. Inspired by the success of Billy Ray Cyrus’ 1992 hit song and corresponding line dance, “Achy, Breaky Heart,” the Ridler Brothers created a line dance to accompany their country cover of the 1962 R&B classic, “The Loco-Motion.” The Ridler Brothers found success performing their energetic original songs and country standards at venues like the Little Red Hen in Green Lake, the Riverside Inn in Tukwila, the Cascade in Lynnwood, and Gerry Andal’s Ranch Restaurant in Everett. In 2015, Steve Ridler started the Ridler Piano Bar in Spokane, inspired by the small venues where he and his brother used to perform.
This photo shows Jeff Ridler performing with their band at an unidentified venue, with a couple dancing in the foreground.
Caption information source: “’60s Remake Seems to Have Set Ridler Brothers in Motion,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer: November 18, 1992, p. C16 Caption information source: “The High-Ridin’ Ridlers – Two Brothers Put Country Music in Motion,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer: March 13, 1993, p. C1 Caption information source: “Tickle the Keys,” Inlander: June 17, 2015.
