Reckless Saints founder Roy Schneider was 16 and in hiding when a friend loaned him a guitar. He had just broken out of a Straight, Inc. facility after a horrific year-long incarceration, where he had been denied the right to play an instrument or even listen to music. Having access to a guitar again – as well as the support of good friends – helped him survive while he waited to turn 18, and begin his lifelong love affair with making music. Schneider went on to pursue visual arts, learning how to design toys in 3D, and writing and drawing syndicated comic strip “The Humble Stumble” through United Media. Ultimately, his passion for the many flavors of music that define the Americana genre, combined with his innate ability to play most anything with strings, led him to give up the ‘day jobs’ for a career in music.

He was making a living performing in local bars when Roy met Kim Mayfield. She added keyboard, mandolin, rhythm guitar, harmony vocals, and the idea to take the music on the road. The duo spent over a decade touring and recording 5 CDs of original music. in April 2019 they enlisted bassist Thom Callahan and are embarking on a new project. Taking their name from Schneider and Mayfield’s 2018 release, The Reckless Saints are entering their second year of touring.

Reckless Saints, the CD, has hovered in the top 50 on Roots Music Reports Americana Country chart since shortly after its release, and was included in their ‘Best of 2019’ list. The album features production ‘Guidance Counselor’ Gurf Morlix on the lone cover- Blaze Foley’s Election Day. Other guest artists include Freebo (Bonnie Raitt) on bass and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy on harmonica.

Roy, the duo, and/or the trio have shared stages/bills or opened for the likes of John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Joe Craven, Malcolm Holcombe, Eilen Jewell Band, Chuck Prophet, Brothers Comatose, and Charlie McCoy among others. Schneider accompanied folk icon Tom Paxton on his last solo tour in Florida after which Paxton pronounced him ‘one of those horrible people who seemingly can play anything they pick up and play it beautifully.”