Dry Branch Fire Squad Archives

More from Gettysburg, August 2016

Here’s Frank Baker’s second gallery of images from the August 2016 Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. More to come!

Dave Adkins at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, August 2016 - photo by Frank Baker

Still more from Gettysburg ’16

And here is another gallery of Frank Baker’s photos from the May 2016 Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival.

2016 Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival

MC Blake Williams brought The Wayfarers, a southeast Ohio band, on stage to kick off the March edition of the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival, aka SOIMF. Host band, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, took the stage next. The band featured several selections from its new gospel project, Sacred Memories.

Nothin’ Fancy then brought their high energy show to the Roberts Center stage, followed by Art Stevenson and High Water from Wisconsin. The Primitive Quartet, a SOIMF favorite, once again delighted the audience with their Gospel singing. Balsam Range closed out the Friday show.

Saturday was opened by America’s Got Talent alum Mountain Faith. Art Stevenson returned on Saturday for a second set of music and Joe Mullins also brought the host band back for a second day. The Dry Branch Fire Squad provided sets of old time music and the musings of band leader, Ron Thomason. The legendary Paul Williams made a rare appearance since his retirement. Paul provided an excellent set of bluegrass Gospel music with Paul’s son Richie providing part of the vocal trio along with Joe Mullins.

Doyle Lawson brought Quicksilver to the stage and provided the audience with a top shelf performance. The festival was closed out with a joint performance by Doyle and Paul. They were joined by Joe Mullins, Jason Barie, Eli Johnston, and Josh Swift. The audience did not want them to stop, even after nearly an hour and a half show.

The fall edition of SOIMF will be November 11 and 12.

More from Palatka – February 2016

Saturday at the Palatka Bluegrass Festival opened with a Gospel sing in front of the stage. Around 20 musicians joined in.

At the same time Norman and Judy Adams were hard at work taking reservations for next year’s show.

The Marksmen opened the stage show. Earl Wheeler has fronted this group for well over 40 years. Breaking Grass is one of the new, young groups on the circuit that gains more recognition with every show. The Little Roy and Lizzy Show brings born and bred Lincolnton, Georgia-style music to the stage. Roy is celebrating his 74^th birthday in a few days. There are not many 74 year olds that have his kind of energy.

The Bluegrass Brothers brought the traditional mountain bluegrass of Virginia to the Palatka stage. The Dry Branch Fire Squad returned for a second day. Ron Thomason had some help?? from Little Roy??? at the end of the evening set.

The Steep Canyon Rangers closed out the festival with a rousing set of music.

Friday at Palatka 2016

Every bluegrass festival has its surprises, and Friday at Palatka was no exception. The day started with an open stage. Two youngsters went out and played several tunes on guitar and mandolin – and very well. The boys are 11 year old Aaron Koch and his 15 year old brother Justin. Aaron has only been playing mandolin for the past 6 months! It is their very first bluegrass festival.

Aaron’s mandolin hero is Danny Roberts of the Grascals and was introduced to Roberts backstage. Danny pulled out his mandolin and jammed with Aaron for 30 minutes or so. Danny’s comment from the stage: “He’s gonna be a good one.”

Emcee, Sherry Boyd, brought Alan Sibley and the Magnolia Ramblers out to open the show. Robert Montgomery put on a little bit of the Uncle Dave Macon music with the spinning and twirling of his banjo. Audie Blaylock and Redline provided traditional bluegrass music and some memories of Jimmy Martin.

Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers were up next. They are preparing to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the band. The Dry Branch Fire Squad always brings the finest old time music and humor of Ron Thomason. Ron did his “hambone” routine to the delight of promotors Norman and Judy Adams. The Grascals brought a mix of their well-known music along with some selections from their new projects. The Gibson Brothers closed out the day top notch brother duets and music.

Saturday brings The Marksmen, Breaking Grass, The Little Roy and Lizzie Show, The Bluegrass Brothers, The Dry Branch Fire Squad, and The Steep Canyon Rangers.

Last batch from Gettysburg, August 2015

Here is Frank Baker’s final gallery of images from the August 2015 Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. We’ll have his photos from the Delaware Valley festival after Labor Day.

Dry Branch Fire Squad to Quicksilver Productions

Quicksilver Productions has announced the signing of the venerable Dry Branch Fire Squad for representation services with the agency. The iconic bluegrass band continues to be anchored by the vocal and storytelling prowess of Ron Thomason, with Brian Aldridge on guitar, Tom Boyd on banjo, and Dan Russell on bass.

They join the substantial stable of Quicksilver artists, including Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Town Mountain, Finnders & Youngberg, Foghorn Stringband, and Blue Canyon Boys.

Dry Branch is booking now for their 40th Anniversary tour in 2016.

You can get a feel for Ron’s charm on stage in this video Ted Lehmann shot at the Gettysburg festival in 2013.

More details on any Quicksilver Productions artist can be found online.

Saturday at Palatka 2015

Breaking Grass opened the final day of the 11^th edition of the Palatka Bluegrass Festival. They are a young, high energy band that does primarily original music. The Dry Branch Fire Squad came back for the 2^nd day. Ron Thomason’s humor and old time music won the crowd yet again.

Little Roy Lewis is still a bundle of energy at 73 years young. Lizzy Long is keeping the signature sound of Lincoln County Georgia alive and well. Little Roy’s grandson, Bennett, filled in on mandolin for the weekend because of illness, and did a fine job. Lee Roy of The Roys played mandolin on a tune.

Marty Raybon and Full Circle fired up the crowd as only Marty can. Marty is well loved in Florida! The Gibson Brothers are keeping the brother duet style of bluegrass music at the forefront of the genre. They are keeping the music of many of the earlier generation brother acts alive and well. The Grascals closed the show with their signature songs and instrumentals.

At one point, Ron Thomason was surprised on stage by a “girlfriend.” His girlfriend turned out to be one heck of a banjo player.

The Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, where the festival is held, raffles a Martin guitar here each year as a fund raiser. The young man who won it emotionally said, “My Dad has always wanted a Martin guitar. This is his!”

Norman and Judy Adams can be very pleased with the success of this festival.

Friday at Palatka 2015

The Spinney Brothers opened the second day of the 2015 Palatka Bluegrass Festival. They are becoming crowd favorites at every show. The VW Boys then brought their unique combination of comedy, music, and magic to the stage. They are always a hit.

Dry Branch Fire Squad performed for the first of two days. Ron Thomason’s dry wit and passion for old time – often unheard – songs always leaves the audience wanting more. The Boxcars then graced the stage with Mountain Heart’s Aaron Ramsey filling in for Adam Steffey. Adam is recovering from elbow surgery. Ron Stewart told the audience that Adam will be back playing very soon.

The Jimmy Fortune Trio closed out the afternoon shows taking the crowd for a nostalgic ride of Statler Brothers songs and Jimmy’s original tunes. The evening’s show was capped off by Dailey and Vincent. I won’t say it was cold — but the boys were in jackets and hats. Then Christian Davis sang White Christmas and was joined on stage by Santa! Jimmy Fortune joined Dailey and Vincent for a rollicking finale.

Saturday brings Breaking Grass, The Dry Branch Fire Squad, The Little Roy and Lizzy Show, Marty Raybon and Full Circle, The Gibson Brothers, the Grascals, and a promise of 70 degree temperatures!

Still more from Gettysburg, August 2014

Frank Baker sent a ton of stage images from the August 2014 Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. Here is gallery #3 of 4.