Strasburg, Virginia's Five of A Kind

Five of A Kind was formed in 1980 out of a group of local friends who were jamming behind the home of Winston and Martha Brill. Since then the band has played extensively throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley at private events, clubs, firemen's carnivals and yard parties. The band has recorded a number of cassette projects and since 2000 have recorded 3 CDs, "Best Hand", "New Addition" and "Royal Flush".

Click Here for a Band History

Current band members: Jimmy Drummond (guitar), Richard Kleese (dobro),
Jamie Thomas (fiddle), Steve Spence (bass), and Del Purkey (banjo). (see below)

Persons who have played in the band include Doug Arthur, Charlie Nicholson,
Richard Kleese, Vince Poling, Norman Racey, Bill Poffenberger, Joe Passolano,
Gene Stokes, Bill Foster, Terry Barbin, Tom Knowles, Ben Witman,
Tim Lansberry, "Bugs" Frank.

Jimmy Drummond

Jimmy Drummond is the band's guitarist, MC, and lead vocalist. Jimmy is a founding member of the band formed in 1980. Jimmy is a big fan of the music of the Country Gentlemen. Jimmy is native of Strasburg, VA.

Richard Kleese

Richard Kleese plays Dobro and sings lead and harmony. Richard is a founding member of the band and has rejoined after a ten-year absence. Richard lives in Strasburg, VA.

Jamie Thomas

Jamie started playing guitar around age 11. At agr 19 he started to mess around with an old violin that an Aunt had given him. After playing for a summer in a band from West Virginia, he put his fiddle away for 35 years. He brought it back out in 2016 and now is with Five of a Kind. Jamie lives with his wife Karen in Orkney Springs, VA.

Del Purkey

Our newest member is D.G. "Del" Purkey who is replacing Bugs Frank who has retired.
Del is a native Virginia and played banjo in the DC area, most notably with Bob Purkey and the Blueridge Travelers. Bob Purkey was Del's father. Del lives in Alexandria with his wife Jean, his biggest supporter.