Tag: Mark Delaney

Mark Delaney back to Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass

Banjo player Mark Delaney has returned to the spot he occupied with Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass for more than a decade, after nearly two years away from the band.

Mark stepped away more than a year ago to care for his elderly parents, during which time Dean Phillips held down the banjo spot. Now that his parents have passed away, he is ready to return.

Ryan Paisley shared the news with us this morning.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark Delaney back to the Southern Grass on banjo. In addition to being an exceptional musician of many talents, Mark is a joy to travel the road with.

At the end of 2022, Mark came off the road after 11 years with the band to care for his parents in their final years. Having nobly carried out that duty, and taken time for himself, we couldn’t be happier that he’s willing to walk back onto the stage with us.

Mark’s banjo playing has always had a drive and unique character that has become a favorite to us and so many others. We are thrilled that his official return will be this Saturday (10/26) in Marlinton, West Virginia.”

Delaney says that he is very pleased to be back playing with Danny.

“I’ve known Danny and Bob Lundy from the late ’80s, Bobby since his time with Bill Harrell. And ever since he rejoined the band on bass, I always say I need a food taster! 😆

Ryan was barely 11 years old when I first joined the band. He tagged along when his mom and school would allow.

I’m very happy to be with the band again. Now if I can get my fingers to do what my brain wants them to do I’ll be fine. Of course that’s always been the case. Banjos do not like to be ignored. Mine’s making me earn it this time!”

Mark’s first show back on Saturday is at Rivertown Music in Marlinton, WV.

Look for other band dates for Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass online.

More photos from Loudoun

As promised, here are more of Frank Baker’s photos from last weekend’s Loudoun Bluegrass Festival. This batch captures the competition, the barn dance and the overall Loudoun vibe. This weekend, Frank will be snagging images at Gettysburg. Look for those next week.






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Band Contest Winners

  1. Banana Express
  2. The Woodpickers
  3. Annie and Mac

 

Banjo Contest Winners

  1. Patrick McCauley
  2. Evan Sands
  3. Dale Wagner

 

Fiddle Contest Winners

  1. Danny Knicely
  2. Joe Furtado
  3. Elizabeth Baker

 

Mandolin Contest Winners

  1. Taylor Baker
  2. Adam Kruzic
  3. Jeff Arey

 

Guitar Contest Winners

  1. Joe Mosely
  2. Kyle Windbeck
  3. Jody Moser

 

Wayne Taylor recovering at home

Bluegrass singer, songwriter, guitarist and band leader Wayne Taylor is now at home and recovering nicely after being hospitalized last week with an acute intestinal condition.

Taylor heads his own group, Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa, and is well-remembered for his many years fronting the US Navy’s bluegrass band, Country Current.

Appaloosa banjo man Mark Delaney tells us that the timing was particularly noteworthy, in a good news/bad news sort of way.

“Just a few days before Appaloosa was scheduled to leave for a tour of Scotland, Wayne was rushed to the hospital with symptoms of diverticulitis resulting in a ruptured colon – a very serious condition.

The surgery went well and he was released from the hospital this past Sunday. He’s recovering at home and in good health and spirits.

We all regret having to postpone out tour of Scotland, especially with such short notice. If there is one blessing in all of this, it would be that it happened before we loaded our gear and stepped into the airplane.”

Great news.

Cards, well wishes and notes of encouragement can be sent to:

Wayne Taylor
1751 Regents Park Road
West Crofton, MD 21114

Mark Delaney to Appaloosa

Wayne Taylor has announced that Mark Delaney will be the new banjo player in Appaloosa, starting in February 2011. He takes the spot recently vacated by Lee Marcus, who has left the group to attend college.

Mark has worked recently with Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac, until Darren disbanded the group a few weeks ago. Prior to his time with Beachley, he had been a member of Randy Waller & The Country Gentlemen.

Delaney also has a solo banjo project, Sidecar, released on Patuxent in 2008. In addition to banjos and bluegrass, Mark has a passion for BMW motorcycles, which he services in his shop.

Wayne tells us that his former Country Current bandmate Keith Arneson will fill in on banjo when Appaloosa travels to California in January, but that Mark will be with them starting with a show in Palatka, FL on February 17. You can see their full schedule online.

Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac – Takeoff

Takeoff is a fitting title for the debut release from Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac. There has been great interest in this assembly of bluegrass veterans since they first got together just over a year ago, and their first CD is due to take off March 27 on Patuxent Music.

As we commented last year, billing a band with Legends in the name might be seen as a tad presumptuous, but the moniker really fits this bunch. After 12 years performing with a number of DC-based bands (including Bill Harrell & The Virginians) before joining Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver in 2005, guitarist and lead singer Beachley started putting the group together after leaving Doyle in 2008. He brought on mandolinist and tenor vocalist Norman Wright, who had worked with both The Bluegrass Cardinals and The Country Gentlemen, and a pair of founding members of Seldom Scene, Mike Auldridge on resonator guitar and Tom Gray on bass. Mark Delaney completes the group on banjo.

Darren says that the whole band is pleased with this first effort, and eager to get it out there.

“We are really happy with the way Takeoff turned out, and feel that this project will establish what our approach to music is all about.

I have to say that I am so happy with the work ethic all the guys displayed on this CD. We had Rachel Johnson and Ray Legere do some guest fiddlin’ on the CD, and Nate Leath added a little percussion. Tom Mindte and all the folks over at Patuxent work so hard for us… I know we were really being picky at times but Tom hung right in there with us and never let the music be anything but us.”

They will be celebrating the release with a concert at the The Old Lucketts Schoolhouse on March 27th just north of Leesburg, VA.

“I like old things with personality and history, and the old schoolhouse surley has that. I have been seeing music there and performing there since the 70’s. It’s gonna be a great time and I do encourage those who are coming to get there early, there are no advance sales and it will sellout.

It was rumored that Jamie Dailey would be making an appearance, and I have given strict instructions to The Virginia State Police that he is to be arrested and taken straight to the Kung Pow Chinese Buffet!” 😉

A few audio samples are available on the Legends of the Potomac web site. Promo copies are going out to radio and print media next week, and we’ll have more to say when we’ve had the chance to give it a good listen.

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