Dry Branch Fire Squad

Last updated

The Dry Branch Fire Squad is an American traditional-style bluegrass band from Virginia, which is fronted by Ron Thomason. [1] [2] The band is known for its showy performances and for Thomason's humorous interludes. [3] The Dry Branch Fire Squad is the host band of Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, formerly called the Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival. The band also hosts the High Mountain Hay Fever festival in Colorado as a fundraiser for a local medical clinic.

Contents

History

Dry Branch Fire Squad was founded by Thomason, a former member of the Clinch Mountain Boys, in October 1976. [4] [5] It is named for a small town in Southwest Virginia where Thomason was born. The band has gone through many lineup changes; Thomason has been the one constant, serving as the band's MC, lead singer, and mandolin player. [6] He also plays banjo and guitar on occasion, and during performances often demonstrates hambone technique which he learned as a child.

Dry Branch Fire Squad performing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Dry Branch Fire Squad.JPG
Dry Branch Fire Squad performing at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Dry Branch Fire Squad at Golden Gate Park Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Dry Branch Fire Squad-HSB.JPG
Dry Branch Fire Squad at Golden Gate Park Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

In 1978 the band released a self-titled debut album, and in 1979 they performed at Bill Monroe's Bean Blossom Festival. [7]

In 1981 the Dry Branch Fire Squad signed with Rounder Records, and released the first of many recordings with that label. [8]

In 1984 the band began hosting the newly organized Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival. [4]

At one time banjoist Bill Evans [9] and singer Suzanne Thomas [10] [11] performed and recorded with the band.

The band has performed at the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco every year since 2003.

Long-time members Brian Aldridge and Dan Russell retired at the end of 2015. Former member, Adam McIntosh, rejoined the band playing guitar and mandolin and assuming tenor singing duties. Jeff Byrd also joined replacing Dan Russell on bass.

In 2016 band is composed of Adam McIntosh (guitar, mandolin), Tom Boyd (banjo, resophonic guitar), Jeff Byrd (bass), and Ron Thomason (mandolin, banjo, guitar).

In 2017 a performance by the band was filmed for inclusion in the film Bluegrass Court Jester. [12]

The Dry Branch Fire Squad is a regular at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, and has been the opening act for the Sunday morning gospel set for every single year, twice per summer, since the festival began, totaling 40 years and 80 festivals. After a break for COVID year, Dry Branch Fire Squad is slated to resume their record for the 81st festival in May of 2021.

Selected recordings

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Monroe</span> American bluegrass musician, songwriter (1911–1996)

William Smith Monroe was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, and created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the "Father of Bluegrass".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluegrass music</span> Genre of American roots music and sub-genre of country music

Bluegrass music is a genre of American roots music that developed in the 1940s in the Appalachian region of the United States. The genre derives its name from the band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Like mainstream country music, it largely developed out of old-time string music, though in contrast, it is traditionally played exclusively on acoustic instruments and also has roots in traditional English, Scottish and Irish ballads and dance tunes, as well as in blues and jazz. It was further developed by musicians who played with Monroe, including 5-string banjo player Earl Scruggs and guitarist Lester Flatt. Monroe characterized the genre as "Scottish bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin'. It's a part of Methodist, Holiness and Baptist traditions. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound."

The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band that formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The band's original line-up comprised John Starling on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Auldridge on Dobro and baritone vocals, Ben Eldridge on banjo, Tom Gray on double bass, and John Duffey on mandolin; the latter three also provided backing vocals. Together they released their debut studio album, Act I, in 1972, followed by both Act II and Act III in 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarence White</span> American musician (1944–73)

Clarence White was an American bluegrass and country guitarist and singer. He is best known as a member of the bluegrass ensemble the Kentucky Colonels and the rock band the Byrds, as well as for being a pioneer of the musical genre of country rock during the late 1960s. White also worked extensively as a session musician, appearing on recordings by the Everly Brothers, Joe Cocker, Ricky Nelson, Pat Boone, the Monkees, Randy Newman, Gene Clark, Linda Ronstadt, Arlo Guthrie, and Jackson Browne among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Bush</span> American mandolinist

Charles Samuel Bush is an American mandolinist who is considered an originator of progressive bluegrass music. In 2020, he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a member of New Grass Revival. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame a second time in 2023 as a solo artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. D. Crowe</span> American musician and band leader (1937–2021)

James Dee Crowe was an American banjo player and bluegrass band leader. He first became known during his four-year stint with Jimmy Martin in the 1950s. Crowe led the bluegrass group New South from 1971 until his death in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Country Gentlemen</span> American progressive bluegrass band

The Country Gentlemen was a progressive bluegrass band that originated during the 1950s in the area of Washington, D.C., United States, and recorded and toured with various members until the death in 2004 of Charlie Waller, one of the group's founders who in its later years served as the group's leader.

Czech Bluegrass is Czech interpretations of bluegrass music that emerged during the middle of the twentieth century in the southeastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Rize</span> American bluegrass band

Hot Rize is an American bluegrass band that rose to prominence in the early 1980s. Established in 1978, Hot Rize has appeared on national radio and TV shows, and has toured most of the United States, as well as Japan, Europe and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doyle Lawson</span> American bluegrass and gospel musician

Doyle Wayne Lawson is an American traditional bluegrass and Southern gospel musician. He is best known as a mandolin player, vocalist, producer, and leader of the 6-man group Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Lawson was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Monroe</span> American musician (1903–1975)

Charlie Monroe was an American country and bluegrass music guitarist. Charlie performed with his brother, Bill, as part of the Monroe Brothers. He later formed his own group, Charlie Monroe & the Kentucky Pardners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Ruley and Mule Train</span> Acoustic bluegrass band in Virginia, US

Gary Ruley and Mule Train is an acoustic bluegrass band based in Lexington, Virginia who also play New Grass and Jazz music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Kentucky Colonels (band)</span> Bluegrass music band

The Kentucky Colonels were a bluegrass band that was popular during the American folk music revival of the early 1960s. Formed in Burbank, California in 1954, the group released two albums, The New Sound of Bluegrass America (1963) and Appalachian Swing! (1964). The band featured the influential bluegrass guitarist Clarence White, who was largely responsible for making the acoustic guitar a lead instrument within bluegrass, and who later went on to join the Los Angeles rock band the Byrds. The Kentucky Colonels disbanded in late 1965, with two short-lived reunions taking place in 1966 and 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walker's Run</span> Acoustic bluegrass band in Virginia, US

Walker's Run is an acoustic bluegrass band based out of Lexington, Virginia who also play New Grass and Jazz music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hillmen</span> American bluegrass band

The Hillmen were a southern Californian bluegrass group. Formed in 1962, the original line-up of the Golden State Boys consisted of Vern Gosdin on guitar and lead vocals, his brother Rex Gosdin on double bass, Hal Poindexter on guitar, and Don Parmley on banjo. Poindexter left the group in late 1962, however, and was replaced by 17-year-old mandolin prodigy Chris Hillman. Hillman, who had previously been a member of the high-profile San Diego bluegrass group the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers, was invited to join the Golden State Boys by Parmley, after the pair met at a bluegrass evening at The Ice House folk club in Pasadena. Upon his recruitment, the group briefly changed their name to the Blue Diamond Boys before finally settling on The Hillmen, in honor of their mandolin playing wunderkind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival</span> Music festival in Oak Hill, New York

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is an annual music festival held in mid-July in Oak Hill, Greene County, New York. The festival features a variety of acoustic music including traditional and contemporary bluegrass, jam bands, old-time, swing and Cajun. The festival presents nationally and internationally touring bluegrass bands and showcases emerging artists from around the country. Music runs Thursday through Sunday the third weekend of July.camping opens on Wednesday. and attendance averages about 3,000.

The Bean Blossom Festival, later the Bill Monroe Memorial Festival, was an early bluegrass music festival held annually in Beanblossom, Indiana. The Bean Blossom festival was known for its jam sessions including well-known bluegrass musicians.

William G. Evans is an American musician, author, and instructor noted for his banjo proficiency and knowledge of the history of the instrument.

<i>Appalachian Swing!</i> 1964 studio album by Kentucky Colonels

Appalachian Swing! is the second album by the American bluegrass band the Kentucky Colonels and was released on April 20, 1964 on World Pacific Records. Although it failed to chart in America, the album sold reasonably well over the course of the year and became an influential underground classic. A number of critics and authors have commented on how guitarist Clarence White's flatpicking guitar style on the album influenced the development of bluegrass guitar playing.

References

  1. Ivan M. Tribe (2006). Country: A Regional Exploration. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 162–. ISBN   978-0-313-33026-1.
  2. Neal Walters; Brian Mansfield (1998). MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink. ISBN   978-1-57859-037-7.
  3. 1 2 3 Loyal Jones (8 October 2008). Country Music Humorists and Comedians. University of Illinois Press. pp. 364–. ISBN   978-0-252-03369-8.
  4. 1 2 "Ron Thomason – Told You That To Tell You This" Archived 2014-11-06 at the Wayback Machine Bluegrass Unlimited, August 1st, 2011 By Chris Stuart
  5. Craig Harris (1991). The New Folk Music. White Cliffs Media. p. 63. ISBN   978-0-941677-27-1.
  6. Murphy Hicks Henry (1 May 2013). Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in Bluegrass. University of Illinois Press. pp. 198–. ISBN   978-0-252-09588-7.
  7. Thomas A. Adler (15 May 2011). Bean Blossom: The Brown County Jamboree and Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Festivals. University of Illinois Press. pp. 138–. ISBN   978-0-252-09544-3.
  8. Paul Kingsbury (4 November 2004). The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music. Oxford University Press. pp. 1866–. ISBN   978-0-19-984044-1.
  9. Tony Trischka (1 April 2005). Banjo for Beginners: An Easy Beginning Method. Alfred Music Publishing. pp. 45–. ISBN   978-0-7390-3733-1.
  10. From every stage. Univ. Press of Mississippi. 2005. pp. 144–. ISBN   978-1-61703-398-8.
  11. 1 2 Paul Verna, Chris Morris, Edward Morris,editors (15 January 1994). "Album Reviews:Country". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 44–. ISSN   0006-2510.{{cite magazine}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. "Bluegrass Court Jester gets his due in upcoming film". Bluegrass Today, on April 5, 2017 by John Lawless.