MUSIC

If you've never been to Fallfest before, come check us out! Its a very fun, informal evening of picking, potluck, and stage performances by several bands.

The Boston Bluegrass Union will kick off our 37th season with three exciting regional bands: Four Bridges (6:30), Merrimack Valley Bluegrass (7:30) and The New England Bluegrass Band (8:30).

Making their way from southeastern New England (MA & RI), Four Bridges will open the stage at Fall Fest. Band members are Jeremy Place (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Benjamin Marshall (banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass), John Almeida (fiddle, vocals), and Russ Hermansen (bass). Four Bridges released a CD entitled “Dangerous Waters” in May 2012. They’ll be performing original tunes as well as bluegrass classics.

Merrimack Valley Bluegrass is a new band comprised of familiar names in regional bluegrass—Ben Silver (guitar), Richie Chiasson (dobro), Al Marotta (banjo), Marilyn Gillis (fiddle), and Greg Algieri (bass). Veterans of two former bluegrass groups, The Pine Hill Ramblers and Over the Hill, this group features a traditional but upbeat sound. Their repertoire is wide-ranging, featuring contemporary tunes with a traditional flavor such as songs of Claire Lynch, Hot Rize and James King, as well as some great and unusual banjo and dobro instrumentals. Merrimack Valley Bluegrass has performed in cafes and coffeehouses in Hudson, Mass. and Kittery, Maine, and will be appearing at the Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival in 2013.

The New England Bluegrass Band is a well-established outfit with a talented new line-up and a deep history. The BBU is looking forward to hosting current band members Cecil Abels (guitar), Erica Brown (fiddle), Matt Shipman (mandolin), Wendy Cody (bass), and Sept 2012 “Banjo Newsletter” Player of the Moasdfnth Ron Cody. As strong testimony to the longevity and musical reputation of the band, the list of previous members speaks for itself: Jon Ross, “Old Time” Dave Talmage, Grace Van’t Hof, Amanda Kowalski, Gary Filgate, Roger Williams, Pete Soukas, Lincoln Meyers, Zack Hickman, and Chris Pandolfi. Don’t miss The New England Bluegrass Band at Fallfest 2012!