This Sunday's Traditional Ties.

Traditional Ties will be introducing new releases from two of this region's outstanding Bluegrass bands.

The featured album will be from Mountain Therapy, (see previous post.)

Our highlight CD is a compilation of previously released  from Northwest Territory. Much of this project has never been available on CD.

Yes, I know this is Super Bowl Sunday, hopefully by 10:00pm Pittsburgh time, the Steelers will have it all  under control and the game will be nearly over. Tune in as soon as you can to enjoy as much new release music as possible.

Both of these releases will get continued exposure in the coming months and likely will be featured again.

FOCUSED... new CD release from Mountain Therapy

Mountain Therapy, a band that has seen many years of playing bluegrass in the northeastern U.S. has released their latest CD titled, FOCUSED.

FOCUSED hits the music stands with 14 songs done in Mountain Therapy's trademark bluegrass style and contains Lonnie Wellman's haunting original, "Drink Up."

The band says... "This CD is dedicated to all those who have supported us through the years as we remain FOCUSED on the future." "We are really proud and excited how this project turned out."

The band, formed over 25 years ago, has come to be known as a high-energy ensemble, playing everything from traditional and contemporary tunes, to fast-paced instrumentals and high-lonesome vocals.

These talented musicians have been influenced by everyone from the old-school fathers of this genre, to the youngsters who are out in the parking lot flat tearing it up with the yet-to-be-heard sounds of tomorrow's bluegrass.

With strong original songwriting and their creative presentation, Mountain Therapy is truly one of those rare, 'must see' acts

Mountain Therapy consists of:

Lonnie Wellman - Guitar / Vocals

Mike Ash - Acoustic Bass / Vocals

Ron Dick - Mandolin / Vocals

Tim Custer - Banjo / Vocals

Visit their web site for song samples and secure online ordering information.

www.mountaintherapy.com

You can read additional information about FOCUSED in their newsletter HERE

Frostburg State University Presents the 5th Annual Appalachian Festival September 17th & 18th

The FSU Appalachian Festival takes place on the Frostburg State University campus September 17th & 18th.

At its heart, Frostburg State University’s Appalachian Festival is a celebration of regionalism. It is a celebration of the region’s natural landscape, history, culture, food, musical and artistic traditions—all of those aspects that make this section of Appalachia unique. The cultural traditions demonstrated at the FSU Appalachian Festival are living traditions that continue to be practiced here. Many traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next for three generations or more. Despite the changes introduced through new technology, what remains stable in these artist expressions is their connection to community, culture, and place.

Through its music and dance performances, historical, cultural, and environmental presentations, hands-on traditional arts workshops, and numerous children’s activities, the FSU Appalachian Festival provides participants and attendees with an opportunity to share regional knowledge and become engaged in perpetuating long-standing traditions. Together, the exhibitions, discussions, workshops, lectures, and performances highlighted at the FSU Appalachian Festival provide Mountain Maryland and the contiguous region with a rich sense of place.

Music will be performed throughout the event on several stages. Mountain Therapy will perform Saturday at 1:20 PM and again at 4:40 PM on the Compton Stage at FSU. Additional performance information can be found here

Saturday to end with a Capstone Concert featuring David Holt and Laura Boosinger! Four-time Grammy Award winner David Holt is a musician, storyteller, historian, television host and entertainer, dedicated to performing and preserving traditional American music and stories. Holt plays ten acoustic instruments and has released numerous recordings of traditional mountain music and southern folktales.

Laura Boosinger, most known for her banjo playing, offers old-time mountain ballads, and has released four solo albums, along with one with George Shuffler. Her albums, including Most of All and Let Me Linger, feature traditional songs such as "Cannonball," "Peace Precious Peace" and "I'm S-A-V-E-D" and "Down in the Valley." Boosinger features a variety of traditional stringed instruments, including old-time banjo, guitar, Appalachian dulcimer and fingerstyle Autoharp.

To learn more, please check : www.frostburg.edu/events/afestival

Farmer's and Thresherman's Jubilee This Week

In addition to Mountain Therapy (see previous post,) the Allegheny Drifters will be at the Farmer's and Thresherman's Jubilee. The Drifters appear Thursday at 6:30, 7:30, & 8:30 PM.

Blue Shades will be there Saturday, 6:30, 7:30, & 9:00 PM

Mountain Therapy Has Busy Month Planned

Mountain Therapy will be performing at these venues in September...

Saturday, September 12th 4:00 - 9:00 PM Pond Bank Mennonite Church Music Festival Pond Bank, PA (near Chambersburg)

Sunday, September 13th Noon, 2:00 & 3:00 PM Farmer's & Thresherman's Jubilee New Centerville, PA

Friday, September, 18th 4:00 & 9:00 PM Mohican Wilderness Bluegrass Festival Glenmont, OH

Saturday, September 19th 6:00 pm Mountain Pie Festival Bear Run Campground Portersville, PA

Saturday, September 26th Noon, 2:00 & 4:00 PM Heritage Festival McConnell's Mill State Park Portersville, PA

Sunday, September 27th Noon, 2:00 & 4:00 PM Heritage Festival McConnell's Mill State Park Portersville, PA

Come out and shake & howdy and support bluegrass music.Mountain Therapy is:Lonnie Wellman - Guitar/Vocals Ron Dick - Mandolin/Vocals Mike Ash - Acoustic Bass/Vocals Tim Custer - Banjo/Vocals

http://www.mountaintherapy.com/

(Couertsy WPBGC and Tim Custer)

Mountain Therapy, Host Band At Coleman Station

Mountain Therapy will once again be the host band at The Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival, Freidens Pa., July 24 and 25, they will be appearing both days.

Band information and personnel bios follow:

Mountain Therapy is a band that has seen many years of playing bluegrass in the northeastern U.S. area. Formed over 20 years ago, this band has come to be known as a high-energy ensemble, playing everything from traditional and contemporary tunes to fast-paced instrumentals and high-lonesome vocals.
These fine musicians have been influenced by everyone from the old-school fathers of this genre to the youngsters out in the parking lot, flat tearing it up with the yet-to-be-heard sounds of tomorrow's bluegrass.
With strong original songwriting and their creative presentation, Mountain Therapy is one of those rare, 'must see' acts.
:: Mountain Therapy - innovative bluegrass ::


Lonnie Wellman sings lead and baritone and his powerful rhythm guitar style lays the foundation for the entire band. His roots are deep in bluegrass and he comes from a family of exceptional musicianship. Whether it is a haunting bluegrass ballad or a fast powerhouse standard, Lonnie's pure voice and distinctive style drive home the Mountain Therapy sound. His writing skills have added several originals to the band's catalog of songs. Along with the rest of the band, Lonnie continues to lead Mountain Therapy along the cutting edge of bluegrass music.

Tim Custer plays banjo for Mountain Therapy and also sings lead. His musical career began at age 12. Drawing from his love for the music, his playing encompasses impeccable tone, timing, and drive and the instilled talent that one can only derive from years of playing directly from the heart. He has penned several original instrumentals which have become crowd favorites. Down through the years, Tim has developed his own style on the banjo, but credits his dad and Don Reno as his musical heroes.

Ron Dick plays mandolin and sings lead and harmony parts for Mountain Therapy. Ron comes from a rich musical background playing with his family bluegrass band from an early age. His powerful mandolin chop and innovative lead work are crowd pleasing additions to the Mountain Therapy band.

Mike Ash is the newest member of Mountain Therapy. Mike plays acoustic bass and brings to the band his strong lead & harmony vocal singing and rock-steady timing.

Complete festival information can be found here.

Mountain Therapy Welcomes Mike Ash

Mike Ash has joined the Western Pa / Eastern Ohio band Mountain Therapy.

Mike plays acoustic bass and brings to the band his strong lead & harmony vocal singing and rock-steady timing.

Mountain Therapy's first show with Mike was the April 24 benefit for St. Joseph's HOH at Synod Hall in Pittsburgh.

Mountain Therapy will be the host band for The Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival, July 24 & 25. Find details here.

Opps

It didn't take long to be reminded that Mountain Therapy did a showcase in Louisville, thanks Tim.