From the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada, the Spinney Brothers are comprised of Allan Spinney , Rick Spinney, Gary Dalrymple and Terry Mumford. Brother Allan and Rick debuted their band in 1992, showcasing a tight brother duet vocal style that was immediately recognized for it's energetic and distinctive sound.
The cornerstone of the Spinney Brothers musical identity is the sound of traditional, southern-flavoured bluegrass music. The first generation bluegrass legends have been an important musical influence, yet their music is equally shaped by their personal lives and local heritage. By incorporating original material, which draws from various sources, the Spinney Brothers effortlessly intertwine the past with the present.
The Spinney Brothers believe in freshness and excitement of traditional bluegrass music. Brother duet singing, backed by supportive and complimentary instrumentation, is the foundation of their tasteful and recognizable sound. Give a listen, and you are sure to be entertained.
Sunday Drive
Here’s a CD release that slipped under the radar the end of last month. Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road have released a new self-titled CD, Carolina Road. The recording is on the Blue Circle Records label and was released on March 29, 2007.
The title cut on the CD was written by Dixie and Tom T. Hall and sung by new band member (guitar) Jerry Butler. Lorraine Jordan also contributes lead vocals and mandolin. Josh Goforth provided fiddle and vocals. Ben Greene played banjo and contributed vocals. Todd Meade holds down the low notes on the bass. Kim Gardner guests on dobro.
Tom T. Hall commented on the band: "We are proud and honored to claim Carolina Road, not only as Blue Circle recording artists, but as friends and heroes. Lorraine has made great choices with her selection of band members."
Audio samples are not yet available on the band’s website.
Boohers canceled June 4, 2007
Harbourtown, originally known as Harbourtown Grass was formed in 1974 by Tony Hickman and has grown into one of the finest bands heard anywhere. Tony, and wife Janet, live in Vermilion, Ohio, located west of Cleveland on Lake Erie’s shore. Vermilion is a harbor for boaters and vacationers, so eventually the town’s nickname "Harbourtown" emerged, thus the origin of the band’s name.
Band member include Tony Hickman (guitar, vocals), Lynn Fox (mandolin, vocals), Kurt Hickman (bass, vocals), and Jerome Cole (banjo.)
Performances by the Appalachian Grass are hard-driving bluegrass mixed with humorous songs and a show stopping trick fiddling act. The combination of music, energy, showmanship, and humor can't be beat.
Each band member contributes a unique element to the Appalachian Grass. The band is unified by Vernon's matchless rhythm guitar picking, while Robert Campbell's hard driving banjo is the backbone of the bluegrass sound. Kitty and her fiddle add a spark of excitement.
L-R: Kitty McIntyre, Emily Baehr, Tammy Powers, Vernon
McIntyre, Robert Campbell.
(thanks to Francis Finetech for this fine photo)
The Patriots have been recognized as one of the top traditional bands in bluegrass. Their highly acclaimed When You and I Were Young, Maggie received nationwide attention in 1991, when the title cut appeared on Bluegrass Unlimited's National Bluegrass Survey for several months. The CD received a prestigious Highlight review in Bluegrass Unlimited.
The Bluegrass Patriots, true to their name, are loyal and dedicated to bluegrass music. Not only are they where bluegrass has been, they are in the midst of where bluegrass is going--helping to shape its future.
This versatile and engaging band with dynamic stage presence has captivated audiences throughout the Northeast, Midwest and South at festivals, clubs, coffeehouses, fairs and live radio shows. The band brings together hard-driving renditions of traditional tunes from first-generation bluegrass giants like Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley, their own powerful originals and fresh and innovative versions of songs from other genres.
Raleigh, NC bluegrass group, The Kickin' Grass Band, have set themselves a cut above the rest with their tight vocal harmony, driving instrumentation and effusive energy on and off the stage.
The band prides itself on reaching all types of bluegrass and non-bluegrass audiences, incorporating standard bluegrass tunes, rock & country classics and a number of "can't get 'em out of yer head" originals into their entertaining sets.
Music, the art of combining sounds of varying pitch to produce various ideas and emotions. Music, any pleasing or harmonious sounds. Music, a method in which to entertain an individual or a group of individuals and invoke a feeling of anticipation and excitement. Music by definition, is Diamond Hill Station.
In the past two years, Diamond Hill Station has been setting the trend for hard driven', up tempo, Bluegrass music in the Midwest. Since their beginning as a "garage" band, they have shared the stage with Bluegrass greats, such as, Rhonda Vincent, Kenny & Amanda Smith, the Lewis Family, and have performed at the worlds longest running Bluegrass festival, Bill Monroe's Bean Blossom. In addition to performing at festivals throughout the Midwest, Diamond Hill Station has released two albums, a single nationally, and received international airplay from their first album, with the single 'California Cotton Fields' being the most requested song in Plabennec France. Diamond Hill Station has performed for live television and radio, and performs live concerts twice yearly (free admission) to show appreciation to all their loyal fans.
Diamond Hill Station's high energy performances, great musicianship, and perfect vocal harmonies, make a Diamond Hill Station performance one that will not be forgotten. Hard driven' Bluegrass, is Diamond Hill Station!
Acoustic music is their forte, blending traditional and contemporary bluegrass, acoustic country with standard American music and original songs. The result is an energetic, contemporary sound with a wide variety in their repertoire.
The members of The Carefree Highway Band have established reputations in the music world, winning many individual musical awards. Together they offer more than 85 years of professional experiences.
The Carefree Highway Band is a group to watch for, and an acoustic musical experience you won't want to miss.
The Rock Bottoms Boys were formed in 2000 when Larry Cordle asked Simon Edwards (bass) if he knew of a band to play a show he was putting together in his hometown of Louisa, KY. The current lineup is made up of musicians that have been good friends for many years. Harold Skidmore (guitar), Jimmy Thompson (mandolin) and Scott Midgley (banjo) have played together off and on since the seventies in line ups including Ted Smith and the Buckeye Cutups and the original Nitro Hill band.
Simon Edwards was a founding member of Down Home Praise and Jeff Conley (dobro) got his start playing with Conley Varble and Salt Creek in the mid eighties. The band enjoys playing everything from hard driving Jimmy Martin numbers to ballads by the Country Gentlemen.
Way back in the spring of 2005 Johnny Possum’s Good Time Hootin’ Band (but you can just call us ‘The Possums’ for short) was formed to help spread the bluegrass and old time music message throughout New Zealand, Australia and the rest of the world. Our aim is to play the best bluegrass and old time music this side of the equator. We got a group of superb musicians together with many years experience and ability, and took to the music like the proverbial ‘duck to water’. You’ll hear banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and upright (or ‘doghouse’) bass as well as some tight 3 part harmonies. We deliver an entertaining show full of your old and new favourites with a huge helping of our own brand of humour thrown in.
Now we play Old Time and Bluegrass music so good that your feet will be stompin', your hands will be clappin', your thighs will be slappin’ & your toes will be tappin'. We can play at any Festival, Event, Party, Barn Dance or Occasion you can imagine.
