Two Cents in the Till is a Vermont-based bluegrass/string band playing unique renditions of traditional favorites and surprising songs plucked from other genres for some creative picking and tight three-part harmony that is sure to entertain. Ed Sutton (Bass) Natalie Babij (Mandolin) Kimberley McKee (Banjo) Kylee Cushman (Guitar) Band Facebook page Band Soundcloud page Band YouTube channel
The Grillbillie Project is a band of friends from all over the northeast and have been playing together casually for more than a decade. Recently, at the request of some fellow Grillbillies and fans, they have started performing at some of their favorite bluegrass festivals. Get ready for The Grillbillie Project to bring you hard-driving bluegrass cultivated from a blend of original, traditional and contemporary material. Justus Waldron (Mandolin) Bonnie Reisser (Guitar) Josh Dayton (Bass) Geoff Gay (Dobro) Andy Reisser (Banjo) Chris Marcera (Guitar) Grillbillie Community Facebook page
The Boston-based acoustic trio Wrong Is Right connects Jake Howard's clear but rustic mandolin tone, Sumaia Jackson's smooth and driving fiddling, all on top of the deep groove of of Mike Gaisbacher's bass, exploring the converging aspects of Bluegrass, Jazz and other roots music. With driving groove and elegant melodic interpretation, Wrong Is Right is carving a path through the contemporary acoustic scene. Mike Gaisbacher (Bass) Jake Howard (Mandolin) Sumaia Jackson (Fiddle) Band website Band facebook page
Kathleen Parks and Emily Baker are Boston-based fiddlers who bring a new twist to the phrase 'twin-fiddles!' With their take on old bluegrass standards along with their traditional arrangements over original songs, their vocal harmonies and swinging fiddle licks will get your hips shaking! Featuring the 'Stay @ Home Dads', none of them actually being dads who stay at home, include Jordan Alleman (Banjo), Chris Sartori (Bass), and Thorliefur Davidsson (harmonica), and Sam Moss on guitar/vocals. Kathleen's website Emily's website
The Morning Bugle - "Our music? It’s bluegrass. You know, the ancient tones. Playin’ it clean and singin’ it true. Chasing that melody like a fox hound. Writing new songs and tunes to keep that old flame a-burnin’." Chris Sartori (Bass) Max Wareham (Guitar) Dan Bui (Mandolin) Eric Lee (Fiddle) Jordan Alleman (Banjo) Band website Band facebook page
One of the more influential bands back in the 1980's was The Desert Rose Band, which included John Jorgenson on guitar and Herb Pedersen on banjo. In 1985 the Desert Rose Band’s self-titled debut album immediately established them as a group who were fiercely loyal to country music but not afraid to make it their own with a fusion of bluegrass and California country rock. From the outset, The Desert Rose Band stayed at the top of the country charts with a string of hit songs beginning with the Johnnie & Jack cover “Ashes of Love.” With collaborator Steve Hill, Chris Hillman penned the group’s smash hits, “Love Reunited,” Summer Wind,” “One Step Forward, “I Still Believe in You,” and “Start All Over Again.” Other hits included “He’s Back and I’m Blue (written by Michael Woody) and the John Hiatt cover, “She Don’t Love Nobody.” They have won three Academy of Country Music Awards and has received several nominations from the Country Music Association and the Grammys. These days John (now featured on mandolin) has formed a wonderful bluegrass band along with Herb, John Randall (guitar) and Mark Fain (bass). Like the Desert Rose Band Acoustic a couple years ago, this promises to be a real Joe Val treat. Band Facebook Page
One of the early, seminal bands of the Boston bluegrass scene were The Lilly Brothers (awarded BBU's 2013 Heritage Award). Their legacy continues with Ashley and Dr. Everett Lilly (grand-daughter and son respectively of Everett Lilly senior). They'll be joined by several special guests including Jim Rooney. Ashley Lilly (along with the Songcatchers and Friends) released a wonderful new album in 2015 entitled "Baby Blue Eyes."
Flatt Lonesome is a young, new group of pickers fresh to the scene. While deeply-rooted in bluegrass music’s historic classics, they also have an energetic flair for country sounds, progressive jams, and soul-stirring gospel music while never forsaking their traditional essence. If you love high lonesome harmony, soaring sibling vocals and powerful bluegrass music, then you will love Flatt Lonesome. They were awarded the 2014 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year. Their current lineup includes Kelsi Robertson Harrigill (mandolin), Charli Robertson (fiddle), Buddy Robertson (guitar), Dominic Illingworth (bass), Paul Harrigill (banjo) and Michael Stockton (resophonic guitar). Note: Information adapted from band website. Band Website
Formed in the fall of ’08 at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Chasing Blue plays a mix of original and traditional bluegrass material with unique arrangements and hard-driving style. Original material holds true to the bluegrass tradition but strong lyrical ideas and progressive musical ideas make the Chasing Blue sound. The current lineup includes Michael Reese (guitar), Laura Orshaw (mandolin), Maggie MacKay (banjo), Danny Musher (fiddle) and Alex Muri (bass). Note: Description adapated from band website. Band photo by Kelly Burgess Band Website
Steve had already won esteem for his lofty tenor voice and emotional delivery as an entertainer at Kentucky’s historic Renfro Valley well before he joined Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, which brought him to a wider but no less appreciative audience. Steve was also a founding member of Mountain Heart where he recorded five highly acclaimed, award-winning projects while serving as the band’s lead vocalist followed by a five-year stint as a founding member and front man of the popular group, Grasstowne. As a songwriter, he has been fortunate enough to have his songs recorded by many top groups including Blue Highway, Kenny & Amanda Smith, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. In fact, the song, "Through The Window Of A Train," which Steve co-wrote with Tim Stafford, was voted IBMA Song Of The Year for 2008. Steve has also earned multiple Male Vocalist of the Year nominations at SPBGMA. Joining Steve is Bryan Turner (bass), Gary Robinson, Jr. (mandolin), and Matthew Cruby (banjo). Band Website
