The Hosmer Mountain Boys are a retro bluegrass band that is quickly rising in the New England Bluegrass scene and having a lot of fun in the process. They were voted the “Fan Favorite” at the 2023 Podunk Bluegrass Festival, performed in Lexington (KY) on WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, and crossed the pond for the 2024 Battlefield Bluegrass Festival in England. Keegan (guitar) and Simon (banjo) met at Mando Camp North in 2018 at age 16 and instantly connected over their passion for Flatt & Scruggs. Red Day, (mandolin) has recently been added to the band this season. Cathy Bumgarner Day (fiddle) and Tom Bowman (bass) complete the lineup with decades of regional bluegrass experience. Simon (banjo) has been described by some attendees at the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival in Brunswick, ME, as Connecticut’s best‑kept secret. You’ll hear that Keegan’s major guitar‑picking influences include Riley Pucket, Don Reno, and the thumb‑picking style of Lester Flatt. Rounding out the band is Cathy Bumgarner Day on fiddle and Tom Bowman on bass, both staples in the New England Bluegrass Music scene for decades.
Cabaret Seating. BYOB & Snacks. Doors open at 7:00 PM
$20 Members/ $22 non-members in advance ; $25 at the door (if available)
The powerhouse duo of Amy Gallatin and renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams joined forces a few years ago to explore their mutual love of country standards, served up with an acoustic treatment in the bluegrass vein. The result is a toe-tapping blend of heartfelt vocals, soaring harmonies and red-hot picking, traditional yet modern and distinct.
Americana radio host Ed McKeon says: “Amy’s vocals, with the power and tone of her voice, are tempered by Roger’s baritone which has been sanded smooth by cigarettes and, shall we say, maturity. The song selections are perfect, the harmonies glorious, the sentiments wonderfully maudlin (like any good old country song).” The two are enhanced by mandolin and vocals from Roger’s son, Berklee College of Music student JD, who–in the time-honored tradition of musical consanguinity–complements his father’s style perfectly, and by veteran bassist Bob Dick, formerly with the award-winning bluegrass band Front Range.
The Open Book Coffeehouse proudly continues its 2024-2025 season on Saturday evening, March 15 with Rachel Sumner and Traveling Light. The coffeehouse is located at the Canton Public Library, 786 Washington Street, Canton. Doors open at 6:45 PM; music starts at 7:30 PM. Admission is $15 for the general public and $8 for students of any age. Tickets are available that evening on a first come, first serve basis. (cash or checks).
Fresh off a first place win at the 2023 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival band competition, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light have been captivating audiences throughout the northeast. With songs as sweet and biting as the nectar and venom in her voice, Sumner’s lyric-forward writing and penchant for snaking chord progressions demand something far beyond folk conventions, highlighting the acrobatic range of her brilliant bandmates Kat Wallace (fiddle) and Mike Siegel (upright bass).
The blog Cover Lay Down said of Rachel, “Though Sumner has roots in both the bluegrass and classical worlds, this is true-blue singer-songwriter folk through and through, too: achingly clear, and wide open to the world, with twang and tenderness enough to carry us through the fire of an unusually difficult year.”
Enjoy the relaxing, warm atmosphere of friendly people, good music, coffee, tea, and home baked goodies. The Open Book Coffeehouse is located in the community room of the Canton Public Library at 786 Washington Street, Canton, and is made possible by the Friends of the Library. Parking is to the left when facing the library from Washington Street. Enter by the “Special Events” door to the left of the columns, midway into the parking area.
Donations may be made to the Friends of the Canton Public Library via the library website, by clicking the yellow “donate” button at https://library.canton.ma.us/187/Friends-of-the-Library.
For more information, visit the Open Book Coffeehouse website at http://library.canton.ma.us, send an email to openbookcoffeehouse@verizon.net, find the coffeehouse on Facebook, or call 617-922-2551.
The North Reading Community Coffeehouse (NRCC) is happy to welcome “Loose Change” featuring Gary Dolinsky, Dominic Priolo and Larry Plitt.
While they are each outstanding musicians in their own right, they complement each other beautifully.
The Loose Change Trio performs songs that spans several generations creating a unique and pleasing mix of old and new!
Their songbook includes classic country, blues, Motown, pop music, folk, bluegrass, and even a few “standards”. They are three distinct voices accompanied on acoustic and electric guitar, harmonica and ukulele bass. They are three seasoned performers who have played on stages large and small throughout the Northeast since the 1970’s.
A Loose Change performance is always fun!
The concert is free, but there will be a “Suggested Donation” of $15, if you are in a position to do so. The important thing is join us if you can and do what we can to help keep live music alive!
For more about The Loose Change Trio, you can go to their Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/loose.change.trio
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Friends of the Flint Memorial Library in North Reading with whom we will be doing these concerts in conjunction with, to help support the library. We are located in the Activity Room of the Flint Memorial Library at 147 Park Street in North Reading. There is plenty of free parking. Please come, sit back, relax and listen to some terrific music! If you have any questions, please contact Art Grossman at NRCoffeehouse@gmail.com.“
I hope everyone had a good summer. We’re back!
Now that it is ‘fall-ish’ another music event is planned for our 45th season at the South Shore Folk Music Club (SSFMC).
The first Coffeehouse is Fri Sep 22 2023
Doors open at 630p
Show starts at 7p, goes till 915p
First Parish Duxbury
842 Tremont St (Rte 3A)
Duxbury MA
Coffeehouse Feature: Fred Meltzer
Fred Meltzer has been performing and recording originals, covers and tribute music for over 40 years. His band Free Range has featured at SSFMC in the past. Fred has played his silly and thoughtful originals for the past several years and his project, Waxy Shellac and The Tasteless Apples, is currently recording their inaugural album “Shelf Life” at Ultrasound Productions in Hanover MA. Looks for it soon on line and in person with a booklet illustrating how all the decades of hits were inspired! Maybe Fred will be inspired to preview a couple at our first coffeehouse of the season!
Opener Fran Araujo and Friends:
Fran Araujo is a musician who has been performing for about 12 years. Her musical roots begin with her paternal grandmother in Ireland. She was influenced in childhood by her parents’ Mitch Miller records, and then was enchanted with the folk music of the 60s’s, especially with the close harmony of popular groups of the time. She appreciates and enjoys performing old time and bluegrass. Fran takes great pleasure in singing and playing with others and believes music is deeply healing.
We also hope you’ll share your Talent at the OPEN MIC!
