DiQuattro and Day

The Pomfret Senior Center has a brand new look. Completely refurbished and modernized, very open, bright and comfortable, its kitchen gleaming and full of gadgets that make preparing food easy. A nice setting for the first Bluegrass show in this new venue. The newly formed band called "DiQuattro and Day" took the stage at eight and energized the packed house with a mix of traditional Bluegrass and ballads from early country and folk. The harmony of the duo is exceptional and the lead singing of both performers was highly enjoyable. Cathy Day is well known for her talent as a Bluegrass fiddler and vocalist and recently joined up with Bob DiQuattro after meeting him at a jam and realizing they had a fine harmony blend. The performance was well received by the enthusiastic audience who called for encores and helped make the night, as DiQuattro put it, "electrifying". The duo was backed by three veterans of the Bluegrass scene, Tom Bowman on bass and harmony, Cheryl Plecan on bango, and Jim Plecan on mandolin.

Bob DiQuattro

Cathy Day

Cheryl Plecan

Tom Bowman

Jim Plecan

Strawberry Park Bluegrass 2012

Della Mae has been called Neo-bluegrass, edgy, progressive and other terms to describe their music and the way they deliver it, I just say it's really good, high energy acoustic music coupled with great original lyrics and wonderful vocals. Their performance at the Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival on friday was just great, stellar picking and singing and good rapport with the audience.

Celia Woodsmith and Courtney Hartman

Jenni Lyn Gardner

Kimber Ludiker

Celia, Shelby Means, and Courtney

Shady Creek at Mohegan Sun Casino

The Nick Anderson and Shady Creek Bluegrass Band will be appearing at the Mohegan Sun Casino BBQ Fest on Sunday June 3rd. The band will take the stage at noon and will be followed by 5 time Grammy winner, Blues man, Robert Cray. This is a nice break for a great band of veteran performers who are sure to please you with the fine vocals and super picking they are known for. Nick sings lead and plays fine rhythm guitar and performs traditional bluegrass in the original style. Nick is backed by some fine pickers in Monty McLanahan, mandolin and high tenor, Dan Menzone playing world class banjo, with superb bass in the hands of Dave Aston. This will be a great day for bluegrass and blues lovers, and yes, the fabulous barbecue is included in the price of admission which is $30.00. The Mohegan Sun Casino is located in Uncasville, CT. Mohegan Sun website

Dave Aston and Nick Anderson

Monty McLanahan

Dan Menzone

Southern Rhode and Shady Creek

The 2011/2012 Winter Concert Series at the Killingly, CT. Grange came to an end in great fashion with two fine bluegrass bands performing traditional bluegrass and early country songs and some hot instrumentals as well. The guest band, "Southern Rhode," based in Rhode Island and made up of veterans of the New England and Tennesee music scene offered some stellar vocals and wonderful harmony on the old classics and some 60's and 70's country music. Fronted by Alex MacLeod singing lead and playing rhythm guitar and Monty McLanahan singing high tenor harmony and playing mandolin, along with the talented baritone vocalist and guitar/fiddle player Greg Badigian and on the other side of the stage the well known banjo player and teacher Mike Kropp, who they say has taught most of the noteworthy banjoists in the region, and finally the guy who kept the boys in line and in time, Tom Bowman on bass and comic relief. Southern Rhode received some solid applause and would certainly be welcomed back to the grange next season.

The host band "Nick Anderson and Shady Creek," put on their usual fine performance with Nick singing lead as they sang their repertoire of traditional bluegrass and gospel tunes. Nick borrowed Monty McLanahan from the Southern Rhode group and had the fabulous banjoist, Dan Menzone as a guest for the evening, the steady beat of the bass came from the skilled bassist Dave Aston. Later in the evening Dan Menzone joined Mike Kropp for some double banjo tunes and that was very enjoyable. I was disappointed to see the Grange concerts come to an end for the season but we at least it ended with a wonderful show.

Southern Rhode

Alex MacLeod

Mike Kropp

Greg Badigian

Mike Kropp and Dan Menzone

The Shady Creek Band

The Spinney Brothers at Country Corner Coffeehouse

Dave and Rose Helman's Country Corner Coffeehouse located in So. Hadley, MA. was packed with Spinney Brothers fans waiting in excited anticipation for the Spinneys to take the stage. Hoping to see a great show they would not be disappointed. The band hit the stage at 8 PM and kicked off the set with the traditional number, "Cabin on a Mountain," and followed with the rollicking "Rollin' in My Sweet Babies Arms" and quickly had the audience stompin their feet to the beat of Darryl Hebb's bass. The band continued with their song selection of traditional bluegrass and a sprinkling of early country songs as well as some original material. Rick Spinney did his banjo version of "Home Sweet Home" to honor the late Earl Scruggs and the audience responded loudly in affirmation. The Spinney Brothers have become polished at presenting themselves and the set was nicely scripted and moved along smoothly. The brothers come off as being caring sensitive musicians able to relate to their audience and seem to put family and friends at the center of their music. Allen chose to show his yodeling skills to the folks late in the set with his rendition of the "Mule Skinner Blues" and it brought forth the loudest applause of the night. The brothers included many of the songs from their new album "Memories" that were well received. At intermission their product table was swamped with fans buying autographed copies of the "Memories" CD as well as older releases. The second set was as strong as the first with fine harmony and lead vocals accompanied by some great picking. The band is lead by Allen on guitar, Rick on banjo, Gary Dalrymple on mandolin, and Darryl Hebb on bass. It turned out to be a great evening of bluegrass represented by some fine artists.

Allen Spinney

Rick Spinney

Gary Dalrymple

Darryl Hebb

Dave and Rose Helman

A Devoted Fan

The Country Corner Coffeehouse in South Hadley, MA will feature the Spinney Brothers in concert this Saturday evening, March 31 at 8:00 PM. The Spinneys have released a new album, "Memories," that is doing quite well on the bluegrass radio charts and are touring heavily on the national circuit. The band consists of brothers Allen, guitar and vocals, and Rick, banjo and vocals. They're joined by Gary Dalrymple on mandolin and Darryl Hebb on bass. This is sure to be a good show so come on out. Note: I'll post a review and lots of pics by Monday evening the 2nd. of April

Allen Spinney

BearBridge at the Firebox

The BearBridge Band will be appearing at the Firebox Restaurant in Hartford CT this Sunday the 25th. of March at 5 PM. This band is made up of long time bluegrass musicians steeped in traditional bluegrass and old time music and always provide a fun time. You will hear some original music in the mix and some fine soloing to boot. The band is fronted by Robert Fraker on mandolin and vocals, his wife Lillian on bass and vocals, long time members, Tex Orlomoski, vocals and guitar and Dave Shaw, vocals and banjo. Always a treat to hear this band. The Firebox Restaurant is located at 539 Broad St., Hartford, CT and is well known for its excellent food and its penchant for "fresh and local" meat, produce and fruit.

Robert Fraker

Lillian Fraker

Dave "Tex" Orlomoski

Dave Shaw