First and foremost a HUGE tip of the hat to all you good folks who turned out for the big benefit concert for musician Mark LeGrand at Bent Nails on January 28 — a night full of great music by 10 top bands that raised a whopping ten thousand dollars! Thanks also to all of you who chipped in with donations through Mark’s GoFundMe site. That’s an ongoing campaign, so you still have a chance to help this fine songwriter, performer and top-flight human being.
And now, on an unfortunately similar note, I need to inform you that our great friend Peter Riley is also suffering from cancer and could use your support. Pete was a mainstay with Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys for a ten years, touring the Northeast and contributing some outstanding vocals on several of our best recordings. There’s an ongoing GoFundMe campaign on Pete’s behalf and it would be wonderful if you could get onboard for another terrific musician. Also — no surprise here — there are plans for a benefit concert to help raise some bucks for Pete and his family. This will be March 19 at the Double E Performance Center, 21 Essex Way #300 in Essex, VT, starting 5 PM. Once again The VT Bluegrass Pioneers will be one of many excellent bands performing, and Pete himself will be playing with at least a couple of the groups. Another fine evening of music, another great cause. Pete will have some of his wonderful wildlife photo books and cards on hand, available for purchase. Hope you can make it.
Meanwhile The VT Bluegrass Pioneers and The Sky Blue Boys are getting the season started with some good Vermont gigs , and both groups are preparing to introduce a whole raft of new tunes for the season.
March 3: Burlington, VT, Skinny Pancake, 60 Lake Street. Bluegrass Brunch with the Pioneers, noon to 3 PM. You know the scene — crepes, good drinks, good bluegrass.
March 8: Jericho, VT, the Jericho Café and Tavern on Route 15, Pioneers. Another venue we love, with terrific dinners, desserts to die for, and 3 hours of live bluegrass starting 6 PM.
April 5: Montpelier, VT, Bent Nails Bistro on Langdon Street, 7 – 8:30 PM, Pioneers. THE place for great music in the capital city and, of course, the site for the recent triumphant Mark LeGrand benefit.
April 7: Burlington, VT, the Pioneers head back to the Skinny Pancake for another bluegrass brunch.
May 3: Tinmouth, VT, The Old Firehouse, 8 Mountain View Road, 7:30. The Sky Blue Boys return to our all-time favorite venue for another show in this wonderful intimate space where the music, the vibes and the cookies are always tops.
More shows for both groups on the horizon and we’ll keep you posted.
And remember those GoFundMe campaigns for our fellow musicians. Easy to find on the internet, and super-easy to make your donation. Thanks and see you soon.
-Banjo Dan
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Upcoming Shows
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Sky Blue Boys
- 05/03/24 (Fri) Tinmouth, VT at The Old Firehouse
VT Bluegrass Pioneers
- 04/05/24 (Fri) Montpelier, VT at Bent Nails Bistro
- 04/07/24 (Sun) Burlington, VT at Skinny Pancake
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Click here for full schedule