King Wilkie
King Wilke was recognized five years ago as IBMA's Emerging Artist of the Year. At that time the band, recently out of college, was seeking to recreate the sound of Monroe, Flatt, and Scruggs from the late forties and early fifties. After creating quite a stir, they seemed to pretty much disappear from the scene. With the release of their last two CD's, they have re-created themselves as an Americana band whose music blends elements of bluegrass, cajun, blues, and jazz into an entertaining and lively melange of melody and song, mostly of the band's own creating. Founder Reid Burgess on mandolin and piano demonstrates a level of energy I didn't sense last time I saw the band. Their performance at Upper Valley featured humorous, and sometimes satirical, viewpoints on the world, with perhaps too much emphasis on north/south differences. Nevertheless, their energy, musicality, and humor provided a lively and enjoyable performance.
Reid Burgess
Steve Lewis
Phillips Saylor
Dennis Lichtman
Ian Riggs
Reid Burgess and Dennis Lichtman
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Infamous Stringdusters have compiled a remarkable record since they came onto the scene in 2007 and took honors at IBMA for Emerging Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year. Originally a group of acclaimed Nashville session musicians who jammed together on Tuesday evenings at the Station Inn in Nashville, they hit the road and found almost instant aclaim. Since then, they've only improved. This is a bluegrass band with a difference. While they may be seen as a progressive jam band, there's no question about their bluegrass chops. Each member of the band is an acknowledged master of his instrument. Andy Hall has been nominated as Dobro player of the year. Chris Pandolfi is the first banjo graduate of Berklee School of Music. Jeremy Garrett comes from a more traditional bluegrass family in Montana and has recorded with his father Glen. Travis Book, a master bassman whose vocals are merely superb (check out their hit song Poor Boys Delight) comes from Colorado, and his sound reflects the scene in that mountain state. Jesse Cobb was working in a salmon factory in Alaska when his brother Shadd (of the John Cowan Band) called and suggested he come to Nashville. Andy Falco's background is in rock and acoustic music. Andy Hall, who has reached the top ranks of Dobro players, is another graduate of Berklee School of Music. In short, while their backgrounds may seem somewhat unusual for a bluegrass band in traditional terms, this band fits precisely the contours of what one might exptect a contempoary band to look and sound like.
Andy Hall
Jesse Cobb
Jeremy Garrett
Travis Book
Chris Pandolfi
Andy Falco
Perhaps the most interesting and characteristic vision of this band is their intense concentration on each other as they work together on stage. What follows are several pictures in which I've tried to capture the sense of unity and support one sees in a Stringdusters performance.
The Steeldrivers
Even before The Steeldrivers came out of the box in with their self titled album on Rounder records in 2008, they were creating lots of buzz. Word came from a variety of sources, "You've got to hear this band!" Central to their appeal was the non-traditional voice of singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton, already a hot song writer on the Nashville scene in country and Americana music. His voice, bluesy and soulful with some gravel in it, was not what one expects from bluegrass singers. The songs he and co-writer Mike Henderson wrote for the band were crafted for his voice in combination with fiddler Tammy Rogers raw harmonies. The band they brought together to perform consisted of Nashville veterans of session work and country music who also had deep roots in bluegrass. The combination was rewarded at the IBMA awards show with the Emerging Artist of the year award in October. While many of their songs sound very much alike and they tend to play within a rather limited tonal range, the band still offers affecting songs and an exciting performance.
Chris Stapleton
Tammy Rogers and Mike Fleming
Richard Bailey
Mike Fleming
Brent Truitt on Mandolin with Rogers and Fleming
Tammy Rogers in the Green Room
Chris Stapleton in the Green Room
The Del McCoury Band
There's not much left to be said about Del McCoury. After fifty years of touring at age seventy, he's put out two new albums in the past two years as well as a five CD collection of the body of his work over the past five decades. Del seems to be having a little trouble remembering the lyrics of some of his songs, yet he still takes requests and responds with grace and humor when he loses a few words. His characteristic high tenor voice singing lead remains an instantly recognizable and reliable instrument, and he's one of the best rhythm guitar players ever...still. Son Ronnie, one of the most recognized mandolin players around, is taking more vocals, with a voice remarkably similar to his Dad's. Rob McCoury on banjo and Jason Carter on fiddle are always superb, and Alan Bartram on bass plays fine bass breaks as well as taking a couple of vocal solos. The Del McCoury Band, as familiar as an old shoe, still fits every time you put him on. No bluegrass fan should pass up an opportunity to see this band whenever they can!
Del McCoury
Rob McCoury with Jason Carter and Alan Bartram
Ron and Del McCoury
Jason Carter
Ronnie McCoury with his 1923 Lloyd Loar Gibson
Del in the Green Room
The Del McCoury Band
The Upper Valley Bluegrass Festival at the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, NH, although somewhat diminished in scope, remains an ambitious and forward looking event that takes a few risks with its bookings and provides good value for attendees. It's well worth the support of bluegrass fans.
