The Ditty Bops

Last updated

The Ditty Bops
The Ditty Bops by Sachi Kato.jpg
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2004–2012
Labels
Past members
  • Abby DeWald
  • Amanda Barrett
Website http://www.thedittybops.com/
Abby DeWald in 2007 Abby DeWald.jpg
Abby DeWald in 2007
Amanda Barrett in 2007 Amanda Barrett.jpg
Amanda Barrett in 2007

The Ditty Bops were an American band from Los Angeles, California, that began with Warner Brothers and later self-produced recordings. Noted for the tight vocal harmonies of Abby DeWald and Amanda Barrett, [1] they incorporated a variety of musical styles such as folk, bluegrass, blues, western swing, ragtime and musical theater with guitar, ukulele, mandolin and dulcimer. Their live shows were often very interactive, and had different themes and theatrical elements complete with props, costumes, skits, and amusing slide shows.

Contents

History

Romantically involved since 1999, DeWald and Barrett met in New York City and formed the Ditty Bops years later after a hunt for a neighbor's lost cat. When they unwittingly crossed into the backyard of a stranger, they discovered that he was a musician and an avid guitar collector. He encouraged them to form a band and start playing. [2]

Their music has been on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy , including "There's a Girl", which is featured on the show's soundtrack CD. [3] The band has also appeared on The L Word . [4]

The Ditty Bops appeared twice on the A Prairie Home Companion radio show with Garrison Keillor: May 7, 2005, from Mitchell, South Dakota, [5] and June 18, 2005, from Highland Park, Illinois. [6]

From May 23 through September 2, 2006, the Ditty Bops embarked on a cross-country tour by bicycle to promote the release of their second album, Moon Over the Freeway , while advocating a call-to-action about pollution and energy conservation. They traveled from Los Angeles to New York City, logging 4,502.75 miles. [7]

In October 2008, Abby and Amanda announced their marriage in California via an e-mail message to their fans and MySpace blog. [8]

Discography

References

  1. Phares, Heather. "Ditty Bops Biography". AllMusic.
  2. Nagy, Evie (July 9, 2008). "The Ditty Bops". GO! . Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  3. Loftus, Johnny. "Grey's Anatomy – Various Artists – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  4. Levack, Chandler (September 22, 2009). "The Ditty Bops". The Village Voice .
  5. "A Prairie Home Companion: May 7, 2005". American Public Media . Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  6. "A Prairie Home Companion: June 18, 2005". American Public Media . Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  7. Billboard Going GREEN
  8. The Ditty Bops MySpace Blog Archived 2009-02-07 at the Wayback Machine

Interviews