Not long ago mandolin player Travers Chandler announced that he was dis-banding his group Avery County and starting a new band with long-standing friend and guitarist Steven Dowdy.
Avery County’s last personal appearance was in October of last year and while they had some bookings for this year Chandler was successful in getting the promoters to put the Chandler and Dowdy show on the bill.
Since 2001 Steven Dowdy had been playing guitar and contributing vocals with the Bluegrass Brothers, with whom he is featured on their 2014 CD release Generations.
We spoke to Travers about the link up. He had this to say ……..
“I have known Steve for many years. Our friendship really took off when I played a stint as mandolinist for The Bluegrass Brothers, who Steve along with his dad Victor and Uncle Robert helped build into a strong national touring act. We knew years ago we had a special ability to blend and feed well off each other. As time progressed we always talked of one day doing something together. Initially this was to be a side-line project for us both, but it blossomed into a full time venture.
We already are doing rehearsals with our fiddler Doug Meek and our bassist Brandon Kyle. Doug is no stranger to the bluegrass community having spent six years with Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass as their fiddler. Doug was the first fiddler we thought of. I had worked with Dougie when I was the mandolin player in the Southern Grass. Brandon Kyle will be a fairly new face to bluegrass but he’s young, energetic and plays a solid bass. He’s local to us living up in the Shenandoah Valley. We currently are auditioning banjo players and should have the slot filled within the next week.
With this group we will start recording soon, seeking label representation, and we will debut our live show at the Cabin Fever Picking Party in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in March.
Steve and I are currently outlining our business plan, building a website and social media presence and preparing for a photoshoot. Steve is a strong songwriter and our sets will consist of mostly original material and as has been consistent in the past from me, obscure classic bluegrass and country from my record collection, as well as material form both of our prior recording endeavors. The sound will be traditional classic bluegrass with an emphasis on new material, a mixture of the Dowdy sound and my love for my heroes.
In the interim promoters can reach Steven or myself for bookings at 276 235 5926 or 540 243 1525 or tsheltonchandler@gmail.com, or via either of our Facebook pages (Travers Chandler, Steven Dowdy).
We wish the duo all the best in their new venture.
