The music THE BLUEGRASS STRING BAND play came to them from many sources, much of it gleaned from recordings both old and new, some have been begged, borrowed or stolen from the many old-time musicians who have crossed their paths. Some are unabashed emulations of other bands or artists they respect. Others are filtered through their collective consciousness - but they all come from the love of and passion for old-time stringband music.
The instrumentation of old-time string-band music is simple and straightforward; a fiddle carries the melody above a flatpicked guitar bass line while a clawhammer banjo provides backup and counterpoint melody. A formula these musicians keep fresh and enjoyable by the use of subtle changes in approach from selection to selection, i.e. a solo fiddle introduces the selection, and lays out the theme. The banjo then enters and the two instruments restate the melody in duet until the guitar joins them and adds a melody in counterpoint.
Bill - 5 string banjo
For more years than he cares to remember', Bill played Upright Bass with various bluegrass and Irish traditional music bands. Now he sticks to playing banjo in a style that has been described as 'progressive neo old-timey'- whatever that means! Maybe old rock 'n rollers don't fade away after all - they just go on to play clawhammer banjo!
Tim - Fiddle and Vocals
Originally from New England, USA, Tim has now permanently settled in Ireland. Once active on the Vermont Bluegrass/Newgrass scene, he also plays Mandolin, Banjo and Harmonica. Back in the 80's he was a dedicated follower of the Grateful Dead but now says he don't remember much about those days.
Ben - Guitar and Vocals
Equally at home singing Stephen Foster classics, Cowboy 'prairie' songs or dark Appalachian mountain ballads, Ben has an enviable talent for effortlessly singing the most complex vocal harmonies. Recently he has been bitten by the infernal banjo 'bug' and can sometimes be heard wishing he was a mole in the ground!
