Bear Bridge

The "Bear Bridge Band," whose members come from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut, paid a visit to the Killingly,CT. Grange on Saturday for a rare performance, the band hasn't been playing dates of late. They put on a great show for the nearly full house. Organized by Nick Anderson, a long time Bluegrasser, the series runs through the winter months and features Nick's band, "Shady Creek" and a different guest band for each concert. The series is always well attended sometimes filling the house. Many of the top regional New England bands can be expected to appear as well as a few local acts. A good part of the regular audience seem to be people not seen at other Bluegrass venues leading me to think they're not so much Bluegrass fans but more likely drawn to the shows for some tasty inexpensive food, good music and a night out in a friendly safe place. They sure do appreciate the talented musicians as they always applaud loudly and with enthusiasm and they keep coming back. I think promoters should take their cue from this and plan to have their event catered by local groups that already have a reputation for good food at reasonable prices and use the sales revenue for good works, this may increase ticket sales. I say this because I've been to events that feature top National Touring bands, yet draw small crowds. I wonder if they used this format instead of just snacks of candy and chips and the like, would they fill more seats. Could it be that people want to make a night of it by having hot food and sandwiches before the nights entertainment, sort of a "sit down supper," followed by the music. I can tell you that the venues that use this format have very good turnouts. It seems to work and might be worth a look.

The Bear Bridge Band

Robert Fraker

Robert Fraker heads up the Bear Bridge Band with his fine mandolin pickin and vocals. This was a rare appearance for the band as most of the members are involved in other projects. I enjoy the way Robert introduces a song with some anecdotal information on its origin and who has recorded it in the past, makes the song special when you know of its history.

Lillian Fraker

Lillian keeps the band in perfect time with her solid bass rhythm, and her bass runs will make you sit up and pay attention. As Doc Watson often remarks when hearing talented musicians, "Man, she can play the fire out of that thing."

Dave "Tex" Orlomoski

Tex is a fine lead vocalist with a smooth confident delivery. His guitar solos are always good and he too can tell interesting stories about the songs and artists he has met along the way.

Dave Shaw

Dave Shaw was solid on the banjo and his lead vocal and harmony added to the nights performance.

William Trickett

The Shady Creek Band, fronted by Nick Anderson, with Joe Giard sitting in on mandolin, Elise LaFlamme on fiddle, William Trickett on banjo and dobro, and Mark Doyle banging the bass, is always a crowd pleaser. They do so many of the early traditional songs, they really get the audience engaged and stomping their feet. Always a good evening at the Grange. Next month," Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters" with Roger Williams on dobro will fill out the bill. Come early for the fine food from the Grange kitchen.

Elise, Mark Doyle and Robert

Joe Giard,Elise LaFlamme and Nick Anderson

Strawberry Park

The "Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival" is on. TD Bank purchased the campground for $8 million at foreclosure auction and has agreed to set aside $135,000 for the operating expenses to allow the site to open April 1st. Elite Resorts which has been operating the campground as the receiver has earmarked $50,000 for the booking of bands for both the Bluegrass festival and the Zydeco festival.
The "Bluegrass Festival" has always been a success so this is great news both for fans and artists. The lineup, which is subject to change, lists the Dailey and Vincent Band, the Gibson Brothers, Claire Lynch, the Grascals, lll Tyme Out, the Boxcars, the Dry Branch Firesquad, and many others.
Check out the schedule

Killingly Grange Winter Concerts

Mike Boulay

Mike Boulay and the Hope Valley Volunteers made some new fans Saturday night at the Killingly CT. Grange hall. This group lit the place up with their revved up pickin and fine vocals and smooth harmonies. This is a confident bunch of pickers who know how to please an audience. They run an entertaining and fun set poking fun at themselves with anecdotes about their playing and their history as a band. Mike Fischman quipped "the band used to be called, "Mike Boulay and Friends," but when Mike ran out of friends he had to call in "Volunteers." The comedy did not get in the way of the music, however, they were dead serious about the way they present their music, and it was good, mostly traditional with a boogie tune now and then. Band members are: Mike Boulay on guitar, lead and harmony vocals, Joe Giard on mandolin, lead and harmony vocals, Mike Fischman on banjo and harmony vocals, and Rory McLeod on bass. This is a band that you need to see. They perform at the "Wood River Inn" on Rt.138 in Richmond R.I. on the 3rd. Sunday of the month

Mike Boulay and the Hope Valley Volunteers

Mike Boulay

Joe Giard and Mike Boulay

Rory McLeod

Mike Fischman plays banjo, guitar, mandolin, and probably more, you may know him as the DJ at WRIU radio's "Bluegrass Breakdown," from the campus of the University of Rhode Island.

Mike Fischman

The host band of this series is "Nick Anderson and Shady Creek," Nick does the heavy work of finding good bands to fill out the bill of his winter series. He and his band always put on a good show at the Grange and he's developed a loyal following. Nick usually sticks to bands that fall under the "traditional" umbrella and that seems to be what his audience wants. The band members are: Monty McLanahan on mandolin and lead and harmony vocals, William Trickett on banjo, dobro, and harmony vocals, Elise LaFlamme on fiddle and harmony vocals, and Mark Doyle on bass and harmony vocals.

The Shady Creek Band

Nick Anderson

William Trickett

Monty McLanahan

Elise LaFlamme

Mark Doyle

To close out the evening, the two bands joined forces for a half dozen songs and tunes. It was high energy and a perfect ending to a terrific show.

Joe Val Saturday

J.D. Crowe had an unfortunate accident while exiting his bus and broke some bones in his arm and was unable to perform Saturday evening so the BBU had to find a replacement band. With good luck they were able to find a top notch and well loved group, Dan Paisley and the Southern Grass, a group that has been to JV before and is a favorite with the JV fans. Danny knows how to belt out a "plumb pitiful" song, with heartfelt emotion. The inclusion of Donny Eldreth on vocals and mandolin was a treat.

Danny Paisley

Donny Eldreth

Donny and Mike Paisley

Ron Stewart

The Boxcars are in demand, they're heavily booked this season and for good reason. The talent in this band is awesome, each member could probably start a band of their own. Songwriting, singing, and certainly picking is just that good. Adam Steffey, Keith Garrett, and John Bowman contributed some fine vocals. They wowed the crowd with their energy packed set.

Adam Steffey

Ron Stewart

Keith Garrett

John Bowman

Harold Nixon>

Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers are as smooth a group as I've ever heard. Impeccably dressed and polished entertainers with top shelf instrumental breaks, lovely a capella gospel tunes and just a wonderful entertaining set.

Joe Mullins

Mike Terry

Evan McGregor

Joe and Tim Kidd

Adam McIntosh

The Whites are pure entertainers, engaging banter between the sisters, and Father, Buck, make you feel at home with them, like one of the family.Their vocals and harmony singing are flawless and the dobro work of Phil Leadbetter was the icing on the cake.

Buck White

Sharon White

Cheryl White

Phil Leadbetter

Sam Tidwell, a long tim player of Bluegrass music was honored with the BBU 2011 Heritage Award for Music. Sam is well known and respected in the Northeast and revered by countless musicians here. In 2007 Sam was honored as a "Bluegrass Pioneer" by the the International Bluegrass Music Museum. He's been active of late, performing at fairs and campground festivals. Sam surrounded himself with some fine New England musicians for a set after his award presentation. On guitar and vocals, John Stey, also on guitar and vocals Dave "Tex" Orlomoski. Joining their father on stage were sons, Billy on mandolin, Mark on guitar, and David on bass.

Sam Tidwell

Tex Orlomoski

John Stey

Billy Tidwell

Mark Tidwell

David Tidwell

The Berklee Bluegrass Allstars are some of the best students of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Each year Prof. Hollender brings a group to Joe Val to sort of showcase the talents and accomplishments of their students, and each year they blow you away with their talent.

Courtney Hartmann and Prof. Hollender

John Mailander and Jack Devereaux

Matt Wittler