vermontbluegrass.org || Bands

Among the best-known bands in New England, the Plowboys have performed for 25 years in concert halls and opera houses, festivals, fairs, colleges, churches and village greens throughout the Northeast. Working in the traditional bluegrass format of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, string bass and featuring strong harmony singing, the band draws on material from wide ranging sources including: Cajun, country, rock ’n roll, jazz, and blues and whatever musical genre that seems to fit effectively. Many of the band’s signature tunes are original songs exploring the themes of everyday life in rural America. Their music has carried the Plowboys far and wide. In 1992 they represented the U.S. at the prestigious Mondialfolk Festival in Italy. In 1988 Banjo Dan and the Mid-Nite Plowboys became the first bluegrass band to tour the Soviet Union. The Plowboys have recorded many fine albums. The latest is a beautifully packaged anthology of a distinguished 25-year career in Vermont bluegrass. Dan also has released re-mastered version of some of the earlier Plowboy classic albums. See the link to the Plowboy web site, above.

We are a group who love to play Roots Country, Bluegrass and Americana music. Our trio was formed early in 2004 and has been making its mark with the great sibling singing of Tom Venne and Julie Venne Hogan and the soulful resonator guitar work of Junior Barber.

Big Spike Bluegrass, based in northern Vermont, plays hard-driving traditional bluegrass, with an emphasis on three and four-part harmonies. They feature twin fiddles and solid original material in the traditional style.

Originally formed for a First Night concert in Burlington, VT a couple of years ago, The Bluegrass Gospel Project has continued to impress music fans throughout New England with their stellar vocals and powerful gospel music. The BGP consists of members of top bluegrass bands like Northern Lights, Breakaway, and Green Mountain Bluegrass. Video samplers and two live CDs are available at the BGP web site.

Bob Degree has put together a great project with the best musicians available to give you an experience of excitement and warmth. His goal is to have you leave the show feeling that you just had a great time.

The Cold Country Bluegrass Band has been in existence since the early 70’s, and is based in Plainfield Vermont. Cold Country has appeared in variety of settings, including country weddings, county fairs, the Vermont Parks entertainment series, the Tunbridge Worlds Fair, The Madrid NY Bluegrass Festival, and the Basin Bluegrass Festival in Brandon, VT., First Night celebrations, and recently toured the Ring of Kerry in Ireland and played the pubs of the region. For the last 24 years, the band has hosted an annual 4H benefit bluegrass festival in Plainfield. Cold Country performs a variety of bluegrass material, ranging from Ralph Stanley standards to more contemporary arrangements, with an occasional “old timey” piece included. The band also enjoys performing a variety of bluegrass gospel songs, which are characterized by haunting southern rural harmonies.

We are a high test, old timey, banjo and fiddle band. With great guitarist Jim Mead and Jack the bass player....we can get people dancing and hootin'. Down home music from the southern mountains. Real hillbilly music! We play weddings, camp fires, parties, and back yard bashes.

The band brings together Elisabeth von Trapp, Mark Struhsacker and Peter Riley, three of Vermont's premiere acoustic musicians. Elisabeth's voice possesses a soulful serenity that one New York City music critic likened to "a sanctuary," and was described by The New York Times as hauntingly clear ... tender and romantic. Mark Struhsacker, a long time member of The Radio Rangers, brings the sounds of Bill Monroe and the Louvin and Stanley Brothers. Peter Riley, has anchored Banjo Dan and The Midnight Plowboys as well as Breakaway, one of the northeast's most celebrated bluegrass ensembles. Von Trapp, Struhsacker and Riley's vocals draw on the talents of three extraordinary singers who all stand out on lead and blend beautifully on three part harmonies. Their instrumental work promises to be masterful and inventive yet tasteful, nothing lacking or overdone. Whether it's an original tune, a Ralph Stanley nugget, a Lennon-McCartney classic, or an old-time gospel hymn, Elisabeth Von Trapp & The Blue Train delivers ... acoustic with a traditional ring.

Eric and Leigh Gibson were raised on a family farm in Ellenburg Depot, near the Canadian border of northeastern New York. The brothers, have been playing and singing together since 1983. Under the tutelage of renowned North Country resophonic guitarist Junior Barber, Eric and Leigh formed a bluegrass band in the early nineties, in which Eric played the banjo and Leigh, the guitar. Junior’s son, Mike Barber, rounded out the band on upright bass. The Gibson Brothers Band put a distinctive spin on both their well-crafted originals and well-chosen repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs. In 1995, an International Bluegrass Music Association showcase in Owensboro, Kentucky introduced the band to an audience outside the Northeast. That showcase led to a recording deal with Hay Holler Records and appearances at such notable venues as the Ryman Auditorium and major bluegrass festivals across North America. Their debut Hay Holler release, Long Forgotten Dream (1996), reached Bluegrass Unlimited’s singles and album charts, staying several months on each. The title track reached #10 on BU’s Top Thirty Survey. The follow-up, Spread Your Wings was equally successful, with "Picture in the Moonlight" enjoying an eleven month stay on the singles chart, peaking at #11. 1998’s Another Night of Waiting also met with critical acclaim and strong airplay, with the album residing on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top Fifteen Survey for several months and "She Paints a Picture" reaching #4 on the BU singles chart. In 1998 the Gibson Brothers were honored by both the IBMA and the Bluegrass Now Fan’s Choice Awards as the Emerging Artist of the Year.

The Hot' Pickin' Party is a super-group or sorts, featuring well-known musicians from Vermont. Playing a variety of bluegrass, honky tonk, western swing, and other styles; the band conjures up both modern and vintage takes on well-loved songs. The common thread is stellar vocals, sizzling musicianship and hot picking! Each band member is known for playing in their own, well-established group, and brings in a wealth of song material to the Hot Pickin' Party. When these guys get together, the music is always fresh, spontaneous and high-energy fun. To hear samples and for more info, please visit: www.myspace.com/hotpickinparty See you at the party!

We're a three-piece band covering a wide range of old-timey and bluegrass material, originals and the occassional countrified rock n' roll tunes. Formed in Spring 2004 and located in the Keene, N.H. area, we're willing to travel for shows and hope to introduce ourselves at a few festivals this year. Highlights of our past year have included performances at the Keene Music Festival, Nelson Town Hall and a few local watering holes. We hope to finish our long-awaited debut CD in the next few months. We're currently looking to add another musician or two, a tenor singer and fiddle, banjo or Dobro would be nice, so if you fit any of those categories give us a ring. We're always looking for people to jam with just for fun as well.

The Scramblers have been playing bluegrass inspired music to enthusiastic audiences in the Central/Northern Vermont area for over 5 years. Their abliity to play traditional bluegrass music has enabled them to develop their own unique style which they apply to their original material. Based in the Mad River Valley, they are always available to party with anyone who loves bluegrass music.

The band has been together for about 6 months but many of the players have a long history together. Jim, Cindy and Larry were in the Backyard Bluegrass Band with Will and Deb Patton and Ron West in the early 1980s where they played at Bluegrass Festivals in Vermont and New York, at weddings and other special events. The band plays traditional bluegrass music including the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe and Tony Rice, and Alison Kraus and Union Station and instrumentals such as fiddle and banjo tunes.

We are a group of young musicians who have played traditional music for several years. We would love to play for hours at your event.

Playing old-time country, foot-stomping gospel and bluegrass music on guitar and fiddle, we are available for weddings, picnics, family reunions, anniversaries, parties, birthdays, funerals church services, receptions and almost anything else you can think of. Everything goes better with music! We invite other musicians to join us, if there happen to be any in the room.

For a number of years Seth has made himself known as a songwriter. Seth's songs speak to the whole audience, young and older people alike. He puts words to thoughts and feelings that we all can relate to, no matter what our age or background. Writing is the key ingredient to a great artist and his songs speak for himself. Nobody can sing a song better than the person who conceived and wrote it. When you see The Seth Sawyer Band scheduled for an appearance in your area, be sure to be there. You'll be glad you did.

Bluegrass/old time country string band. Soulful lead vocals, quality originals, taseful traditionals,and sweet four part harmonies are the strong points of this group. We are not confined to one style or generation, yet we maintain with integrity the feel of old time music. We go great for just about any occassion. We have even surprised ourselves!

Smokin' Grass is continuously redefining newgrass music while dancing through a meadow of diverse musical grooves from traditional bluegrass to jazz-grass to rock to funky blues. The spirited sounds that emerge from this daring ensemble never fail to keep the audience on its toes, literally and figuratively! The band's incredible musicianship and high energy performances have earned them a growing fan base of boogiers and music lovers ready to go wherever Smokin' Grass may take them during the band's sizzling live show. "Take Yer Pick", the critically acclaimed and impressive debut recording from Smokin' Grass, features the band's unique instrumentation, clever improvisation and quality original tunes. The latest album from the band, "in the barn", was recorded in Trey Anastasio's (of Phish) barn/studio in Vermont and marks another giant step in the band's evolution from regional to national favorites. Smokin' Grass has conjured a signature sound that is guaranteed to capture the hearts, minds and ears of music lovers of all ages.

Steel Rail Bluegrass is comprised of a group of musicians from the Central Vermont and greater Burlington areas. Their music includes traditonal, modern and orginal material. The band was formed in early 2004 by award winning banjo player George Seymour, long time traditional guitarist Richard Barany, Josh Halman an exciting young mandolinist, and Mike Ricciarelli a veteran bluegrass player on stand up bass. Come see us and experience the sound of Steel Rail! Check our web site for further information.

Bruce and Barry Stockwell began performing in 1969 as The Green Mountain Boys. A year later, at age fourteen, Bruce won his first banjo contest at Craftsbury Common which led to the group's debut recording and concert dates with legends from Earl Scruggs to John McLaughlin. While attending Yale in the mid-seventies, the brothers formed Old Dog with Phil Rosenthal (of Seldom Scene fame) recording two albums with Mike Auldridge. By 1980 younger brother Al, a recording engineer, had signed on and the now nearly 25-year old partnership, The Stockwell Brothers, was underway. The basis of the Brothers signature sound is fresh contemporary folk material delivered with the bright, energetic stamp of bluegrass banjo, flat top guitar, mandolin and brotherly harmonies. The acoustic trio format captures the intimacy of the solo singer/songwriter one moment and drive of a full-tilt bluegrass band the next. Ballads, gospel songs, and fiddle tunes add traditional appeal; alternative grooves and jams a progressive twist. And Bruce's banjo-driven compositions are alternately funky, jazzy, or even classical. The Stockwell Brothers have toured throughout much of the U.S.A. and Europe and have released two albums: Stobro and Leave My Dreams Alone.

Three venerable Vermont bluegrass veterans join forces for your acoustic stimulation. Lots of traditional bluegrass material with a few less traditional ringers thrown in for good measure.

The Upchuck Ramblers have been playing together in their current line up for about a year. The band's focus remains on playing shows, recruiting new fans, and just having a great time picking. Since the members attend different colleges, it is tough to maintain a busy schedual during the school year, but the band trys to play at least a show every holiday or break, and plays as much as possible in the summer months. Please contact us if you'd like to know more.

The WDEV Radio Rangers formed in 1986 to re-create the great live country music radio show feel of the 40s & 50s. The band built a reputation for quality musicianship with their weekly radio shows and now they also perform at fairs, town events, weddings, and festivals. The Rangers believe in having fun and providing real entertainment. The veteran musicians play a 50/50 mix of bluegrass and country swing. Utilizing previously recorded music drawn from the extensive library of material the band recorded in the first 10 years of it’s existence, the WDEV Radio Rangers show still airs at 10:30 every Saturday morning on WDEV AM 550 and on 25,000 Watt WDEV FM 96.1.

One of Vermont's newest acoustic groups, The Winding Road presents dynamic music rooted in the bluegrass tradition. Their shows blend creative original music with unconventional covers, as well as selections of the most loved traditionals. Available for all occasions!