Tag: Wildwood Valley Boys

Feller & Hill merge with Wildwood Valley Boys

Tom Feller, Chris Hill, and Tony Holt at the Palatka Bluegrass Festival – photo © Deb Miller

Baseball season is cranking up, which is usually the time we start hearing trade rumors in the bluegrass world. But how often do we actually get to report a merger?

Tony Holt of Wildwood Valley Boys fame has combined his operation with Feller & Hill and the Bluegrass Buckaroos. The guys are already well familiar with each other, as Tony is Tom Feller’s cousin, and the three bluegrass veterans live within about 20 minutes of each other in southern Indiana.

Tom tells us that Tony lost his whole band at the end of 2016, as a down year in bookings found them all looking for full time jobs outside of music. So Tony has joined Feller & Hill on guitar, and the band will honor all of their own dates this year with Tony, and the Wildwood Valley Boys dates as well.

Feller explained how it’s going to work…

“We will combine all tour dates for both bands, for 2017 and beyond. We will use the same band members (Tom Feller, Chris Hill, Tony Holt, and Bobby Davis) to fulfill each date. Dates which were booked for The Wildwood Valley Boys will be fulfilled as the Wildwood Valley Boys, featuring Tony Holt and his extensive song catalog and exceptional lead vocals. On Feller and Hill dates, Tony will sing the third part in trios and be featured regularly on songs of his choice. This should satisfy promotors and fans who have paid to see the Wildwood Valley Boys, while also broadening the vocal abilities and deep catalog material that Feller & Hill and the Bluegrass Buckaroos have become known for.

We are beyond excited to have Tony onboard and he has expressed his excitement about working with us. Tony has played a few shows with us already this year. He is often seen as very serious and somber on stage. We plan to change that. I was shown some pictures from our recent show, in Palatka, Florida where Tony was grinning from ear to ear, so obviously he’s having a great time on stage with us.

Tony, Chris, and I have a long history together and it’s always a blast to travel together and we’re looking forward to a great year.”

By merging their businesses, Tom says that now have 2 buses between them, plus an additional driver, an additional bus mechanic, and an additional lead singer. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Holt is also the natural heir to the rich repertoire of the Boys From Indiana, which his father and uncles had launched back in the 1970s.

This new arrangement is expected to be in force at least through 2018, with Tony uncertain about whether he wants to reassemble his own band.

Tom also asked that we share a word about another of his cousins.

“I would also ask you to say a prayer for the Holt family. Last Friday, we lost Tony’s sister and Aubrey’s daughter, Anita Holt, to cancer. She had only been diagnosed about a month earlier. We had a very touching service for her this past Tuesday which was filled with music throughout. It was a fitting tribute and was something that brought our entire family back together. There is an obituary online that is located on several of the family members’ Facebook pages, if you wish to learn more. Continued prayers for everyone are appreciated.”

R.I.P., Anita Holt.

Weekend photos from Marshall Bluegrass Festival

Friday at the Marshall Bluegrass Festival opened with a newly formed band, The Local Mash, created by Tony Zapolnik and his fiancé, Jennifer Strickland. Jennifer is a well-known bassist/singer/songwriter in the bluegrass world. They are joined by Michiganders Danielle Smith and Chad Phelps. Indiana/Michigan band Echo Valley put in their second day at the festival.

Festival sound was handled by the capable hand and ear of Jimmy Kittle. The weekend’s MC was Earl “The Pearl” Workman. Johnny Campbell, Michigander and brother of the late Jimmy Campbell brought his band, The Drifters, to the Marshall stage for the first time. Johnny will be appearing at various Michigan venues in the next few months.

Wapakoneta, Ohio’s New Outlook has become a staple at the Marshall Bluegrass Festival. Brad and Lori Lambert bring their music store, Park Street Music to the festival along with their wonderful band. Michigan’s own Missy Armstrong joined Lori and Brad for a couple strong, old country tunes during the evening set. Tony Holt and the Wildwood Valley Boys provided the audience with some of the well-remembered Boys from Indiana music along with some of the band’s original tunes. Goldwing Express closed out the day’s music for the second day. They gained a new fan during the evening. Bluegrass fans comes in all sizes, shapes — and some are green!

Saturday at Marshall always starts with one of the very best band scramble contests anywhere. Jan Green has organized the scramble for over ten years. This year she had seven bands put together. This is always a highlight of the festival. Then banjo player and Charlotte Bluegrass Festival promoter, Wes Pettinger, was honored for his contributions to bluegrass music in Michigan.

Idletymes from Ohio/West Virginia opened the afternoon stage show. They have been providing top notch music to audiences for quite a few years. Larry Efaw brought his Bluegrass Mountaineers to the festival. The Mountaineers provide hard-driving Stanley-style mountain music. Nightflyer also made their first appearance at Marshall. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed their two sets of music.

Blue Mafia has rapidly become a favorite band of the Michigan/Ohio/Indiana music scene. Dara and Tony Wray along with brother-in-law Kent Todd provide strong harmonies. Steve Gulley and New Pinnacle closed out the festival. Steve and his band give an audience full measure in their shows.

The next stop for this photographer is the Milan Bluegrass Festival, August 4-6. See you there!






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Photos from Charlotte Bluegrass Festival 2015

Day 1 of the 43rd Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in Charlotte, Michigan was kicked off by The Blankenships, a well-known and respected family in Michigan bluegrass circles. Folk legend, Joel Mabus, followed with his special brand of old time music. Tony Holt brought his Wildwood Valley Boys from Indiana presenting the sounds of the Holt family. Patriarch, Aubrey Holt, is not traveling with the band due to health issues.

Harbourtown, a Michigan/Ohio group, has combined the sounds of the Hickman, Fox, Cole, and Coffey families into a very popular band. Billy Strings and Don Julin brought their high energy show to the Charlotte stage for the second year.




Bean Blossom 2015 – Day 5

Daniel Mullins will be reporting from the 2015 Bean Blossom Festival all week, as Internet service in the campground allows. Check back each day for his reports and photos.

The fifth day of the 49th Annual Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival featured a great variety of bluegrass favorites new and old.

The Punches Family and their family harmony returned to start the day. The Wildwood Valley Boys, no strangers to the Hoosier State, brought their wonderful sound and original songs to the stage. One could only reflect on how fitting it was to see band leader, Tony Holt, on the the biggest stage for bluegrass in Indiana, as his father, Aubrey Holt, had done so many times before with The Boys From Indiana.

Hall of Famer, Little Roy Lewis (the sixth of eight Hall of Famers to perform this week) took the stage with The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, and Little Roy’s wide open style of music and showmanship was on full display. I think it is safe to say that Little Roy had more energy than any human being at Bill Monroe Music Park this week. Known for his on-stage antics, Little Roy was beat at his own game when show promoter, Tim Dillman, crashed in on Little Roy’s signature song, Honey In The Rock.

Wednesday also featured a Main Stage performance of the Youth Bluegrass Boot Camp, led by Rickey and Sarah Wasson. The camp has been held at Bean Blossom for over ten years, and this year, nearly eighty-five young folks participated. Bluegrass is in good hands after seeing all of the great young talent on stage.

Danny Paisley and his “pedal-to-the-metal” style of bluegrass got the crowd fired up. His unique manner of singing is an acquired taste for some, but beloved by most as one of bluegrass’ true stylists. Danny’s son, Ryan Paisley is also one of the top young mandolin players in bluegrass today, and showed off for the folks at Bean Blossom. Ryan was not the only second generation ‘grasser who wowed the crowd with his mandolin playing. Jacob Burleson, whose father, Jason, plays banjo for Blue Highway, is now playing mandolin for The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band. Jacob’s effortless approach fit nicely with Kenny and Amanda’s smooth sound. The reigning IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year and her modern guitar legend of a husband could be dubbed bluegrass’ hottest celebrity couple, especially after how hot their band sounded at Bean Blossom.

Bluegrass veteran, Larry Stephenson sounded as good as ever. The Larry Stephenson Band consistently delivers great bluegrass with class to any crowd, and this performance was no exception. Larry performed many songs from his latest Gospel project, one of 2014’s most under appreciated albums. Kenny Ingram’s picking has never sounded better, and the banjo legend fits Larry’s sound like a glove.

Greg Cahill and Special Consensus began their first of two days at Bean Blossom on Wednesday. In the four decades of Special Consensus, this is the by far the best lineup of Special C. The combination of powerful singing and in-your-face picking is a magical combination.

To end the day, Dailey & Vincent brought their powerhouse show to the historic Bean Blossom stage. Their show featured a wonderful mix of bluegrass, classic country, and down home fun, as they wowed the audience. The addition of a complete drum set has worked well with the band, and the percussion has complemented D&V’s sound quite nicely, particularly on their more country-leaning material. Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent always bring the crowd to their feet, and ensure that their show has something for everyone. Jessie Baker may have been the biggest ham of the show, which is really saying something when you share the stage with big personalities such as Jamie, Darrin, and Jeff Parker. All-in-all, Dailey & Vincent still remain one of the top acts in bluegrass, even if they refuse to be bound by genre restrictions.






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Fundraising page for Aubrey Holt

We’ve posted several times of late about the health issues Aubrey Holt has experienced this past year. He has been suffering kidney problems and has trouble getting around since a lengthy hospital stay affected his legs. Aubrey is currently doing rehab in a nursing facility in Batesville, Indiana.

Holt has given pretty much his whole life to bluegrass music, touring extensively with The Boys From Indiana, and more recently with his son Tony and The Wildwood Valley Boys. Now he could use some of that love turned back his way.

At this point, Aubrey is unable to be considered for a kidney transplant, as he is still experiencing heart problems as well. He is facing some time in rehab, and medical bills are starting to pile up. Fortunately, he has some benefits through the Veterans Administration from his time in the US Navy, and Medicare, but co-pays for dialysis and other treatments are beyond what his savings can bear.

As his nephew Tom Feller put it on a GiveForward page which is accepting donations for Aubrey…

“As you might have figured out by now, being a lifetime musician leaves Aubrey and his family with little retirement to live on, aside from occasional royalty checks from his BMI songwriting account. Not being able to perform onstage, since February, also leaves him and his family with no performing income.”

Please consider a donation if you can.

Personal notes and cards can be sent to the following address…

8999 East County Rd 575 N
Milan, IN 47031

… and donations to his medical fund can be submitted online, or by using the widget below.

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Any donations will be deeply appreciated.

Aubrey Holt hospitalized

Aubrey Holt, Indiana bluegrass patriarch and part of the legendary Boys From Indiana, has been admitted to the Veterans Hospital in Cincinnati. He will be treated for congestive heart failure, and to remove fluid from around his heart.

His family says that he has been feeling poorly all this week, and after a trip to the emergency department, he has been admitted for treatment.

It is expected that Holt will only remain in the hospital for a few days, possibly being released on Tuesday.

Recently, Aubrey has been performing with his son, Tony, in the Wildwood Valley Boys.

Let’s hope to hear good news next week, and see a full and quick recovery.

Photos from Super Class

The 24th edition of Bluegrass in Superclass kicked off January 10th at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysberg, Ohio.

Local band Deepwater Bluegrass started the show. They were followed by Harbourtown, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, Tony Holt and the Wildwood Valley Boys, and The James King Band.

Lorraine brought some young folks from the Columbus area on stage during her second set. They did an excellent job playing with Carolina Road.




 

Margaret Holt passes

If there’s such a thing as a Matriarch of Bluegrass, Margaret Holt would certainly be in the running. We have learned from her family that she died on Sunday, September 8, at the age of 96.

Her sons Aubrey, Jerry, and Tom Holt formed one of the most influential bluegrass bands of the 1970s, The Boys From Indiana. Her grandsons are also making their presence known in bluegrass. Tony Holt has done well with his Wildwood Valley Boys, Tom Feller with Feller & Hill, Jeff and Greg Holt with Born Again, and Lonnie Feller with Crimson Hill.

Known to family and friends as Maggie, her bluegrass roots go back further than her progeny. Her brother Harley Gabbard was a successful resonator guitarist and recording artist, and performed with Aubrey Holt before The Boys From Indiana were formed in the 1960s. Maggie’s and Harley’s mother, Ida, also played the banjo.

Holt was a bluegrass and old time musician herself, playing both clawhammer banjo and Carter style guitar since she was a girl. She and her husband, Tony, played music when the children were young, inspiring their love of banjo, fiddle and guitar music.

Tom Feller shared this brief remembrance of his grandmother.

“She was a wonderful lady who made a lasting impression on everyone she ever met. She had a deep-rooted love for old-time and bluegrass music, which had been passed down to her through generations. In turn, she passed the music down to her kids and grandkids.

I think she leaves behind a great musical legacy. She will be dearly missed by anyone who was fortunate enough to know her.”

Feller also recalls both his grandparents teaching him how to get started playing music as a boy, as they did for his many cousins.

He also shared a few family photos.


 

At the time of her passing, Maggie could boast of 17 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren. Sounds like a life well lived.

Funeral services will be held on Friday (9/13) at Hope Baptist Church in Dillsboro, IN at 11:00 a.m. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday (9/12) from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the church. Mrs. Holt will be buried in the New Craven Cemetery in nearby Milan, IN.

R.I.P Maggie Holt. The bluegrass world is in your debt.

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