4 posts tagged “holy cross lutheran church”
26 September 2009: Herndon, Virginia
"Please fasten your seatbelts!"
Pulled out all the stops - Roared in like a freight train - Brought down the house - Nonstop Excitement - Your money's worth and more - Blasted into another atmosphere - probably the best act I've seen and experienced in 2009. And we've only just entered into the 2009 Fall season of Bluegrass. Frank Solivan II and Dirty Kitchen appeared last night at Herndon's Holy Cross Lutheran Church Bluegrass series. I almost missed it. After several months of "bluegrassing" we decided we wouldn't go anywhere for the weekend - just stay home and meditate. Besides, the weather had turned colder and it had been raining all day. A sure sign that Autumn is on our doorstep. A last-minute e-mail from Bob (the Holy Cross promoter who keeps the series running,) convinced us to get in the car and drive out to Herndon. We've attended other Bluegrass concerts at this venue and knew the ropes. Metro D.C. Bluegrass Die-hards know this place, right along with the Birchmere and the Old Lucketts Schoolhouse. If a band is playing at Holy Cross, you're probably going to get a worthwhile night of entertainment - especially if you enjoy hardcore Bluegrass. I had never seen or heard this band except that after receiving Bob's "last gasp" message I got on CDbaby and the Band's website and checked out their audio uploads. Sounded very tempting - forget about staying home.
What amazes me is the lack of people who attend this concert series. I counted 34 people in the hall at 7:30 but fortunately more showed up after start-up. It's a beautiful performing space, the acoustics are top-notch, the hall would probably hold 200 to 250 people, and by D.C. suburb traffic standards it's relatively easy to get to. The price is also right for the proffered level of professionalism. Last night I would have gladly paid more for the experience.
The first thing you need to know is Frank Solivan II is another alumnus of the U.S. Navy's Country Current. The group he's put together has only been performing officially since May, according to Bass-player Stefan Custodi. Mike Munford on banjo, is a local legend here in our neck of the woods, and the line-up includes Lincoln Meyers who hails from Durham, New Hampshire. This is a dangerous combination - fair warning to every other bluegrass band out there who thinks it's an easy ride to the top of the music business. Each of these guys approach the bluegrass-style with such a level of professionalism that it's easy to understand why they caused such a stir at last year's annual Bluegrass Conclave in Nashville. Experiencing Frank's group last night I thought of Dan Tyminski, Audie Blaylock, Darren Beachley, the early Seldom Scene, the musicianship of Tony Rice and Kenny Smith, the ethereal banjo-style of Mark Johnson. The song-list was a mind-blower: original works, blues, old bluegrass chestnuts, and even an old Kate Wolf number. Frank and his group were out to convince everyone that they 'could do it all' and they did. It's rare when a group can take over a room and cause this kind of energy. Driving home we were still talking about the event. My final thoughts were, we're going to be hearing a lot more about Frank Solivan II and Dirty Kitchen. (Mike Munford also contributed to Sue Tice's CD. See story below.)
Dirty Kitchen: Frank Solivan II (Mandolin, Fiddle, lead vocals) Stefan Custodi (Bass, vocals) Mike Munford (Banjo) Lincoln Meyers (Guitar).
"Coming Soon to a City Near You!"
The yellow sheet of paper with the large font proclaiming the above caught my eye on the CD table in the vestibule of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Herndon, Virginia last night. I picked up a copy of the announcement and read on - In amazement! "Darren Beachley and The Legends of the Potomac, featuring Darren Beachley, Mike Auldridge, Tom Gray, Norman Wright, and Mark Delaney - for more information and a schedule of upcoming events, please go to: www.legendsofthepotomac.com "
For any bluegrass fan this kind of news is earth-shaking. I was hooked and wanted to know more. The perky blonde lady behind the table (it happened to be Darren Beachley's better-half Sherri,) saw that look on my face and was kind enough to engage me in an interview/conversation on the evolution of the new group and the group's optimistic future. Sherri introduced me to Darren, who was in preparation to take the stage as part of Norman Wright's "Travelers" group, who appeared last night at Holy Cross Lutheran. I didn't want to bug him at that point - I know what it's like to go in front of an audience 15 minutes before show-time. There are only a few Pantheons in the different genres of the world of music. This particular line-up in the genre of Bluegrass is one of them. I couldn't wait to get home and click on to the new website to see what it offered. The group is obviously off and running with plenty of performance dates into 2009 and 2010 and that must make them feel awfully good at this point. They're going to be busy and I'll have more information in the coming months about local appearances here in the Northern Virginia Area.
Thanks to Sherri and Darren for the picture, and a chance to talk to them about the new venture.
8 February 2009 Vienna Community Center, Vienna, Virginia
From the start of "Lost Indian" all the way through to the end of "Orange Blossom Special" Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition delighted the full-house audience once again at the Vienna Community Center on a beautiful, balmy, early spring Sunday afternoon. And yes, the appearance of this group has become a welcomed Post-Groundhog-Day tradition here in our fair neighborhood that straddles Route 66. As far as I know, this is the third winter appearance of "ABC" and Roger Green (rhythm guitar) let it be known that they'll be back to grace our Town Green Stage on June 12th, 2009.
The town audience is as interesting as "ABC." I wouldn't call it your usual hard-core bluegrass audience. But never the less, "ABC" has built a strong fan base here, and each performance of this outstanding group serves as a "Bluegrass 101 primer course" for the eclectic gatherings that show up for Vienna's free town concerts. We're richly blessed here with a town Recreational Department that keeps the entertainment line-up interesting and always varied. One big reason why I like this particular group is, you don't get the usual patter, lame jokes, or false attempts at any kind of flash. I've seen and heard better banjo and mandolin players. I've heard better individual vocalists. The trick is to put it all together in a package of solid entertainment, and Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition never disappoints.
Roger admitted to the audience that this particular annual date is an opportunity to try out new stuff for the upcoming performing season. I noted five or six new numbers, including "Senor" by Bob Dylan and "Walking the Long Miles Home" by Richard Thompson. (Richard Thompson played by a bluegrass group? - you haven't lived until you've heard "ABC" do Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightening" ) I like the old chestnuts and here they offered up "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "Airmail Special," and many more. Notable was the group's rendition of "Dark as a Dungeon." Roger spun this usual 2/3-timed golden oldie into a finale of 6/8 beat - had to smile at that little twist. The harmonies were fabulous, especially on "I Thought I heard You Calling My Name" and "Gone Home." The harmony work is provided by Roger Green, Sue Tice (fiddle), and Dan Kimball (mandolin). Always mellow, subtle, just right for the work to be done. The vocal work is grounded in Roger's rich baritone.
"ABC" has been going strong since 1999 and is continually busy in the Washington, DC area and beyond. I also need to mention the two other driving forces, Bob Tice on banjo, and Jim Duvall on bass. They're kind of the 'silent' members but their instrumental work speaks for itself, along with Sue Tice's outstanding fiddle work. 26 songs, delivered with conviction, quite an afternoon for ridding one's self of the Winter Blahs.
Roger Green and Dan Kimball meet the audience at the CD table, Vienna Community Center
Next appearance is at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Herndon, Va. 28 March, 2009. Doors open at 6:30, Showtime is 7:30 $12. per Ticket
For more info: www.holycrosslutheranchurch.net
This Just In! Catch Roger Green's "Bluegrassorama" Program on WRYR 97.5 fm out of Sherwood, Maryland. See website calendar for streaming show times. This is more good news for Washington, DC region Bluegrass fans. WRYR fm is another non-profit radio group which needs your support for more Bluegrass and alternative, locally-directed, FM programming. (Good On Ya, Roger! - from Ed Henry)
The 2009 Bluegrass Concert Series has launched at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Herndon, Virginia. I highly recommend this venue on 21 February 2009. Norman Wright and the Travelers are scheduled according to Concert Coordinator Robert 'Bob' Thompson. This is pure, hard driving, acoustical music at its best. (see my previous review from Lucketts - "The Old Schoolhouse.")
For more information on the 2009 Series go to: www.holycrosslutheranchurch.net and click through the menu on "Bluegrass Series."
