Tag Archives: Billy Strings

Artist Updates

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Billy Strings:  Turmoil & Tinfoil 

Rolling Stone Country magazine recently listed Billy Strings in 10 New Country Artists You Need to Know. When Billy was at Chestnut House Concerts, he was working with Don Julin. In early 2016 Billy started working on his own and anticipates the release of his debut album, Turmoil & Tinfoil on September 22, 2017.  Visit Pledge Music to hear a sample of Billy’s cover song and preorder the album.

Twisted Pine

This four piece band out of Boston was our first band at Chestnut House Concerts in 2017. Their recent video “I Miss Talking”  was recently reviewed by The Journal of Roots Music, No Depression.  The band also releases their self-titled album Signature Sounds Recordings in August 2017.

Mile Twelve

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Mile Twelve added a fifth member, David Benedict (mandolin) to their band since they played at Chestnut House Concerts. The band is nominated in 3 categories for this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Awards. The band is listed  with four others as momentum band of the year, and Bronwyn and David are both nominated as momentum instrumentalist of the year.  They just finished recording a new album to be released October 27, 2017.  Fall 2017 is shaping up to be an exciting season for this bluegrass band.

 

 

Next House Show:  Laney Jones & the Spirits

Saturday, September 2, 2017 Chestnut House Concerts is excited for the return of Laney Jones.  Potluck at 6 pm, Music at 7 pm. We’re over half way full for the show – if you want to claim one of the vacant seats contact Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com.  Recommended donation of 15/20.

 

Artist Updates

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The Stray Birds the_stray_birds_-_best_medicine_sm_2

The Stray Birds’ new release “Best Medicine” is a 12 song CD recorded at Stonebridge Studios in Leesburg, VA and produced by the band and Stuart Martin. 10 of the tunes are originals with the same intelligent lyrics and tight harmonies that we learned to love from their first album, The Stray Birds.  The two traditional tunes included are ‘Who’s Gonna Shoe’ and ‘Pallet’; the latter being my favorite because I love the spirit that Charlie brings to the lead vocals.

Banjo BabesLindsay

If you’re looking for a 2015 wall calendar, you might want to consider Banjo Babes.  It features two artists that were at Chestnut House Concerts this fall, Lindsay Lou and Evie Ladin.

We’ll have to wait for 2016 and hope the other banjo babes that have been at Chestnut House Concerts like Laney Jones, Allison Russell (Birds of Chicago), Laurel Premo (Red Tail Ring),  Rachel Baiman (10 String Symphony) and Greta Bondesson (Baskery) will be featured in the next calendar.

The proceeds from the calendar are used to promote banjo music.

Billy Strings & Don Julin

Billy and Don

You know a band has got talent when they are booked to open for two of the greatest musicians in the history of bluegrass – Del McCoury and David Grisman.  Five shows in November starting tomorrow (11/11/14) at City Winery in New York, NY.

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The Barefoot Movement

Congratulations to The Barefoot Movement for winning the “Band of the Year Momentum Award” from the International Bluegrass Music Association in October, 2014.  This band will make a return appearance at Chestnut House Concerts on Sunday, December 7, 2014.  Show at 7:00.

 

 

The next concert will be guitarist and singer/songwriter David Jacobs-Strain. David will be playing with Bob Beach (vocals, harmonica) on Sunday, November 23, 2014.  Potluck at 6 pm, Show at 7 pm.  Email Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com to reserve a seat, or find us on Facebook.

Bluegrass Stomp

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One week from tonight on September 27, 2014, we’re happy to be hosting Billy Strings & Don Julin at Chestnut House Concerts.

If you have not yet reserved seats for the show and would like to attend, contact Tim at 717-940-9311 or by email at tlehman9@gmail.com.  There is a a potluck at 6:00 pm and the show begins at 7:00 pm.

At the show Billy and Don will perform a mixture of original and traditional bluegrass tunes, Billy on guitar and Don on mandolin.  Here is a video of them performing a Bill Monroe tune “Bluegrass Stomp”.

Traditional American String Band Music – with Energy Levels Usually Associated with Extreme Sports

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When then 19 year old Billy Strings moved to Don Julin’s hometown of Traverse City, Michigan, some friends told Don to ‘check this kid out’. He did, and after the performance introduced himself to Billy and suggested that they get together and pick some time.  After a single rehearsal the duo has been playing a mix of traditional and original bluegrass tunes all across the country.

Billy began playing guitar when he was 4.  His father would play Doc Watson tunes at parties and  family gatherings and Billy learned guitar so he could play along.  Today he is 21 and considered a musician to watch in the folk/bluegrass world.  Don Julin has mastered the mandolin and his skill on the instrument combined with his knowledge of the music business world really makes the duo work well together. They were recently signed by Crossover Touring.

Their show is full of energy – the mix of Billy’s extraordinary picking, his powerful voice (mature beyond his years), Don’s mandolin picking and harmonies, and the chemistry between the two musicians – leaves the audience wanting more.

Below is an audio file of “Beaumont Rag” from their 2014 release “Fiddle Tune X”.

To RSVP check in with Tim at 717-940-9311 or by email at tlehman9@gmail.com.  $15/20 donation at the door.  Potluck at 6 pm, Show at 7 pm.  If you know someone who can’t get enough of great guitar and mandolin picking, or extreme sports, make sure you bring them along.

Maritime

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photo by Tim Lehman

Tim and I were able to take a whirlwind trip to the Pacific Northwest during the last two weeks of August.  Tim lived in Portland for many years and we had the opportunity to visit friends and relatives in Oregon, Washington and Victoria BC.

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photo by Tim Lehman

 

Dave McGraw and Mandy Fer performed at Chestnut House Concerts in November, 2013 and they reside in the San Juan Islands in Northwest Washington. We knew that we would not be able to visit them on this trip as they were busy touring, but it was a sweet surprise to find their Kickstarter announcement of Maritime in my Facebook feed during our trip.

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photo by Tim Lehman

 

While Tim drove from Tacoma to Port Angeles so we could take the ferry to Victoria, I played Dave and Mandy’s announcement of their Kickstarter project for Maritime.  Producer Zach Goheen, drummer Andrew Lauher, and bassist Christopher Merrill (Birds of Chicago) joined Dave and Mandy in a cabin in the San Juan Islands to record Maritime.

Check out their Kickstarter campaign and hear some clips of their new music.  We hope to have them back at Chestnut House Concerts in the spring of 2015 so you can hear the new tunes directly from them.

Tonight, September 7, 2014 we host a sold out show with Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys.  September 27, 2014 is a house concert with guitarist Billy Strings and mandolin player Don Julin.