The Seldom Scene

Last updated
The Seldom Scene
Origin Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Genres
Years active1971–present
Labels Rebel, Sugar Hill
Members Lou Reid
Dudley Connell
Ron Stewart
Ronnie Simpkins
Fred Travers
Past members John Duffey
Mike Auldridge
Ben Eldridge
Tom Gray
John Starling
Phil Rosenthal
T. Michael Coleman
Moondi Klein
Rickie Simpkins
Website seldomscene.com

The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band that formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. [1] 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.

Contents

In 1977, Starling left the group and was replaced by singer-songwriter Phil Rosenthal. Starling and Rosenthal shared lead vocals on the group's sixth studio album, Baptizing , released in 1978. Around the same time, the group switched record labels from Rebel Records to Sugar Hill Records. In 1986, Rosenthal and Gray left the band, and were replaced by Lou Reid and T. Michael Coleman, respectively; Reid and Coleman first appeared on the band's 1988 album A Change of Scenery . Reid left the band in 1992, and Starling briefly returned to the group, performing on their 1994 album Like We Used to Be . Starling was replaced by Moondi Klein as the band's lead singer.

During 1995 and 1996, Klein, Coleman, and Auldridge, left the Seldom Scene to form a new band called Chesapeake. Duffey and Eldridge recruited guitarist Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and guitarist and singer Dudley Connell into the Seldom Scene, and together released the album Dream Scene in 1996. That same year, Duffey died of a heart attack. Reid returned to the band to replace Duffey on mandolin, and the group released the album Scene It All in 2000. The group's 2007 album Scenechronized was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. The band's original members (Auldridge, Duffey, Eldridge, Gray, and Starling) were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

History

Formation and early career (1971)

The Seldom Scene was established in 1971, and they would practice in Ben Eldridge's basement. [2] These practice sessions included John Starling on guitar and lead vocals, Mike Auldridge on Dobro and baritone vocals, and former Country Gentlemen member Tom Gray on bass. The mandolinist John Duffey, who had also performed with the Country Gentlemen, [3] was invited to jam sessions at the time when Mike Auldridge arranged for the group to play as a performing band. [4] Another member of the Country Gentlemen, Charlie Waller, is responsible for the band's name. Expressing his doubt that this new band could succeed, Waller reportedly asked Duffey, "What are you going to call yourselves, the seldom seen?" [5] The band had weekly performances at clubs and performed regularly at the Red Fox Inn, a music club in Bethesda Maryland. The band switched over to the Birchmere music hall in Alexandria, Virginia, which resulted in a residency. [2]

Members' backgrounds

Each of the band members had a job during the week; Duffey repaired musical instruments, Eldridge was a mathematician, Starling a physician, [1] Auldridge a graphic artist, and Gray a cartographer with National Geographic. [3] They agreed to play one night a week at local clubs, perform occasionally at concerts and festivals on weekends, and make records. After playing for six weeks at a small Washington, D.C., club called the Rabbit's Foot, the group found a home at the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland. [5] They performed at that venue Friday nights from January 1972 through September 1977 before starting weekly performances at the Birchmere music hall. [6]

Rise to popularity (1972–1976)

The progressive bluegrass style played by the Seldom Scene had become increasingly popular during the 1970s, especially Duffey's high tenor and the vocal blend of Duffey/Starling/Auldridge. [1] Their weekly shows included bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even classical pop. [1] The band's popularity soon forced them to play more than once a week [1] —but they continued to maintain their image as being seldom seen, and on several of their early album covers were photographed with the stage lights on only their feet, or with their backs to the camera. Though the Scene remained a non-touring band, they were prolific recorders, producing seven albums in their first five years of existence, including one live album (among the first live bluegrass albums). [7]

John Starling's departure and Phil Rosenthal as lead singer (1977–1986)

In 1977, John Starling left the group to focus on his medical career, and was replaced by singer and songwriter Phil Rosenthal, whose song "Muddy Water" had been recorded by the Scene on two earlier albums. Starling and Rosenthal shared their lead vocals on the group's sixth studio album, Baptizing (recorded in 1978). Around the same time, the group switched record labels from Rebel to Sugar Hill. Starling recorded a solo album for Sugar Hill in 1980 called "Long Time Gone" and another in 1982 called "Waitin' On a Southern Train", on both of which Mike Auldridge played.

The lineup of Rosenthal-Duffey-Gray-Auldridge-Eldridge recorded five albums of a comparable popularity to the ones with the founding members, including John Starling. Rosenthal proved to be as good lead singer as Starling and his baritone voice contrasted well with Duffey's high tenor extravaganzas. He also wrote typically two to three songs on each of the albums and also added acoustic guitar solos to the group. [8]

More changes in lineup (1986–1996)

In 1986, Phil Rosenthal and Tom Gray both left the band to focus on other pursuits, and were replaced by Lou Reid and T. Michael Coleman, respectively. Coleman proved to be very controversial, as many purists objected to his use of an electric bass in what is nominally an acoustic genre, but the albums produced by the band after Coleman's arrival maintained the traditional appeal of any of the Scene's earlier albums.

Reid left the band in 1992, and Duffey convinced former member John Starling to return to the band for the next year. [9] During that year the Scene recorded the album Like We Used to Be , but Starling did not wish to stay with the band long term. He was replaced in 1994 by lead singer Moondi Klein. [1]

Throughout these changes, band leader John Duffey's original plan of keeping a light touring schedule and staying close to home continued to prevail. During 1995 and 1996, Klein and Coleman, along with original member Mike Auldridge, wanting to be part of a full-time project, left the Seldom Scene to form a new band called Chesapeake. [9] For a time the Scene stopped recording.

Duffey and Eldridge, the two remaining original members, recruited resophonic guitar player Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and guitarist and singer Dudley Connell to join the band, and the reconstituted group recorded an album in 1996 and continued live appearances. [9] [10]

John Duffey's death, return of Lou Reid, and Scene It All (2000–2006)

In late 1996, band leader and founder John Duffey suffered a fatal heart attack. [11]

Banjoist Ben Eldridge, the sole remaining original member of the Seldom Scene, assumed leadership of the band. Former guitarist Lou Reid rejoined the band, replacing Duffey on mandolin. [9] Initially the new Scene concentrated on live performances, but in 2000 the group recorded a new album, Scene It All . The Seldom Scene continues to tour, and has recorded for the Sugar Hill Records and Smithsonian Folkways labels.

Scenechronized, Long Time... Seldom Scene, and Changes (2007–present)

Seldom Scene playing at the Rivercity Bluegrass Festival in 2008. Seldom Scene Bluegrass Festival 2008.jpg
Seldom Scene playing at the Rivercity Bluegrass Festival in 2008.

Seldom Scene continues to perform and has received critical acclaim for their work. Scenechronized , recorded in 2007, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. [12]

In July 2008, Seldom Scene performed at a White House dinner honoring the 2008 U.S. Olympic team as well as previous U.S. Olympians. [13] Seldom Scene also played the National Folk Festival July 11–13, 2008, representing bluegrass music.

On April 22, 2014, the band returned with Long Time... Seldom Scene , via Smithsonian Folkways. The collection features interpretations of 16 oft-requested tunes and is the band's first studio album since the Scenechronized in 2007. In 2015, "Long Time...Seldom Scene" and "Mean Mother Blues" won awards in the "Bluegrass" Album and Song categories at The 14th Annual Independent Music Awards.

In January 2016, Ben Eldridge retired after 44 continuous years with the band. He was replaced by Rickie Simpkins. [14]

In 2017, Ron Stewart joined the Seldom Scene, replacing Rickie Simpkins. [15]

In 2019, the Seldom Scene released the album Changes, featuring songs by songwriters of the 1960s and early 1970s, through Rounder Records. [16]

The band currently consists of Dudley Connell (guitar/lead vocals), Ron Stewart (banjo/fiddle/guitar), Lou Reid (mandolin/tenor vocals), Fred Travers (dobro/lead vocals), and Ronnie Simpkins (bass/baritone vocals). Ben Eldridge's son, Chris, also frequently performs with the group.

Personnel

Members

Current members
  • Lou Reid – mandolin, guitar, vocals (1986–1993, 1996–present)
  • Dudley Connell – guitar, vocals (1995–present)
  • Ronnie Simpkins – bass (1995–present)
  • Fred Travers – Dobro, vocals (1995–present)
  • Ron Stewart – banjo, fiddle (2017–present)
Former members

Lineups

1971–19771977–19781978–19861986–1993
  • Mike Auldridge – Dobro, vocals
  • John Duffey – mandolin, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • Tom Gray – bass
  • John Starling – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Auldridge – Dobro, vocals
  • John Duffey – mandolin, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • Tom Gray – bass
  • John Starling – guitar, vocals
  • Phil Rosenthal – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Auldridge – Dobro, vocals
  • John Duffey – mandolin, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • Tom Gray – bass
  • Phil Rosenthal – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Auldridge – Dobro, vocals
  • John Duffey – mandolin, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • T. Michael Coleman – bass
  • Lou Reid – guitar, vocals
1993–19941994–19951995–19961996–2015
  • Mike Auldridge – Dobro, vocals
  • John Duffey – mandolin, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • T. Michael Coleman – bass
  • John Starling – guitar, vocals
  • Mike Auldridge – Dobro, vocals
  • John Duffey – mandolin, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • T. Michael Coleman – bass
  • Moondi Klein – guitar, vocals
  • John Duffey – mandolin, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • Dudley Connell – guitar, vocals
  • Ronnie Simpkins – bass
  • Fred Travers – Dobro, vocals
  • Ben Eldridge – banjo, guitar
  • Dudley Connell – guitar, vocals
  • Ronnie Simpkins – bass
  • Fred Travers – Dobro, vocals
  • Lou Reid – mandolin, guitar, vocals
2016–20172017–present
  • Dudley Connell – guitar, vocals
  • Ronnie Simpkins – bass
  • Rickie Simpkins – banjo, fiddle, guitar
  • Fred Travers – Dobro, vocals
  • Lou Reid – mandolin, guitar, vocals
  • Dudley Connell – guitar, vocals
  • Ronnie Simpkins – bass
  • Ron Stewart – banjo, fiddle
  • Fred Travers – Dobro, vocals
  • Lou Reid – mandolin, guitar, vocals

Timeline

The Seldom Scene

Discography

YearTitleLabelNumberNotes
1972 Act I Rebel REB-1511
1973 Act II RebelREB-1520
1973 Act III RebelREB-1528
1974 Old Train RebelREB-1536
1975 Live at The Cellar Door RebelREB-1547/8live double album
1976 The New Seldom Scene Album RebelREB-1561
1978 Baptizing RebelREB-1573
1979 Act Four Sugar Hill SH-3709
1981 After Midnight Sugar HillSH-3721
1983 At the Scene Sugar HillSH-3736
1985 Blue Ridge Sugar HillSH-3747with Jonathan Edwards
1987 The Best of The Seldom Scene, Vol. 1 RebelREB-1101compilation from 1972–74
1988 15th Anniversary Celebration Sugar HillSH-2202live double album
1988 A Change of Scenery Sugar HillSH-3763
1990 Scenic Roots Sugar HillSH-3785
1992 Scene 20: 20th Anniversary Concert Sugar HillSH-2501/02live double album
1994 Like We Used to Be Sugar HillSH-3822
1996 Dream Scene Sugar HillSH-3858
2000 Scene It All Sugar HillSUG-3899
2007 Scenechronized Sugar HillSUG-4003
2007 Different Roads RebelREB-7516compilation from 1973–76
2014 Long Time... Seldom Scene [17] Smithsonian Folkways SFW40199
2019Changes [18] Rounder

[19] [20]

Related Research Articles

<i>Blue Ridge</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Jonathan Edwards and The Seldom Scene

Blue Ridge is the sixth studio album released by American singer-songwriter Jonathan Edwards. It features the bluegrass band, The Seldom Scene.

<i>Act I</i> (Seldom Scene album) 1972 studio album by the Seldom Scene

Act I is the debut studio album by the American progressive bluegrass band the Seldom Scene, released in 1972. It is regarded one of the best and most influential albums ever recorded in the genre.

<i>Act Two</i> (The Seldom Scene album) 1973 studio album by The Seldom Scene

Act Two is the second album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. The band continues to benefit from all their trademarks: John Starling folkie lead vocals blend with high tenors of John Duffey, completed with Mike Auldridge's third vocals and Dobro solos, plus all that strengthened by Tom Gray's solid bass playing, not to forget Ben Eldridge's banjo and John Duffey's mandolin fancy licks.

<i>Act III</i> (The Seldom Scene album) 1973 studio album by The Seldom Scene

Act III is the third album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. The album features the band in their "classic" lineup.

<i>Old Train</i> 1974 studio album by The Seldom Scene

Old Train is the fourth album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. The album offers the group in their original lineup and features their trademark songs "Wait a Minute", "Old Train" and "C & O Canal". The record is a mixture of progressive, traditional bluegrass and folk material and also features guest musicians as Ricky Skaggs on violin or Linda Ronstadt on vocals.

<i>Live at The Cellar Door</i> 1975 live album by The Seldom Scene

Live at The Cellar Door is a live album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. The Washington Post called it "not only a landmark for the progressive bluegrass scene that originated here in Washington, but may be the band's finest representation on disc."

<i>The New Seldom Scene Album</i> 1976 studio album by The Seldom Scene

The New Seldom Scene Album is an album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene.

<i>Baptizing</i> (album) 1978 studio album by The Seldom Scene

Baptizing is an album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. It is marked as a last album for John Starling and arrival of new singer/guitarist Phil Rosenthal. It is also The Seldom Scene's last album recorded under Rebel Records, before switching to Sugar Hill Records .

<i>Act Four</i> (The Seldom Scene album) 1979 studio album by The Seldom Scene

Act Four is an album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene, the first record under Sugar Hill Records and with a new lead singer/guitarist, Phil Rosenthal. He replaced John Starling, who left to concentrate on his career.

<i>At the Scene</i> 1983 studio album by The Seldom Scene

At the Scene is an album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene.

<i>15th Anniversary Celebration</i> 1986 live album by The Seldom Scene

15th Anniversary Celebration is a live album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. This was the last album for bassist Tom Gray, who left to pursue his own music and was replaced by T. Michael Coleman.

<i>A Change of Scenery</i> 1988 studio album by The Seldom Scene

A Change Of Scenery is an album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. It is the first album with vocalist/guitarist Lou Reid and bassist T. Michael Coleman.

<i>Like We Used to Be</i> 1994 studio album by The Seldom Scene

Like We Used to Be is an album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene It's a group reunion with their original singer/guitarist, John Starling. He recorded only this album and decided to continue concentrating on his career as ear, nose & throat physician.

<i>Dream Scene</i> 1996 studio album by The Seldom Scene

Dream Scene is an album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene. There were several personnel changes in the group after the unsuccessful comeback with John Starling. Mike Auldridge, Moondi Klein, and T. Michael Coleman left the group to form progressive band Chesapeake. Duffey and Eldridge recruited guitarist/singer Dudley Connell, dobroist Fred Travers and bass player Ronnie Simpkins to continue with the group. This album would be the last for John Duffey who died late in 1996.

<i>Scene 20: 20th Anniversary Concert</i> 1992 live album by The Seldom Scene

Scene 20: 20th Anniversary Concert is a live album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene.

<i>Different Roads</i> 2007 compilation album by The Seldom Scene

Different Roads is a compilation album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene, containing songs from the group's oldest period - 1973 to 1976.

<i>The Best of The Seldom Scene, Vol. 1</i> 1987 greatest hits album by The Seldom Scene

The Best Of The Seldom Scene is a compilation album by American progressive bluegrass band The Seldom Scene.

Chesapeake was an American bluegrass band formed in 1994 in Bethesda, Maryland as a direct offshoot from The Seldom Scene.

<i>Long Time... Seldom Scene</i> 2014 studio album by the Seldom Scene

Long Time... Seldom Scene is American progressive bluegrass band the Seldom Scene's first-ever release with Smithsonian Folkways. "Hickory Wind" is a homesick ballad that features the vocals of longtime friend of the Scene, Emmylou Harris, who originally recorded the song on her 'Blue Kentucky Girl' album in 1980. "Wait a Minute" is a fresh take of a song originally recorded for 1974's Old Train album and includes founding member John Starling (vocals) and guests Rickie Simpkins (fiddle) and Chris Eldridge (guitar), son of founding member Ben Eldridge (banjo).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Starling (musician)</span> American bluegrass musician (1940–2019)

John Lewis Starling was an American musician. He is an International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee bluegrass musician and composer, founding member of the bluegrass group The Seldom Scene, an otolaryngological physician for communities in Alabama, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, and an amateur architect designing the field house at Virginia Military Institute, the house his parents retired in and the floor plans for the building he practiced medicine in.

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