Andrew Woodland: Clawhammer Banjo, Vocals, Management & Booking
Jared Libby: Guitar, Vocals, Recording & Engineering
Justin Henningsen: Mandolin
Jane Hamel: Fiddle, Bluegrass Banjo, Luthier
Zachary Swanson: Upright Bass
Other band-members and folks who have played with us:
Mandolin: Len Haggerty, Levin Schwartz, Leslie King
Fiddle: Joshua Relin, Alix Whithoft
Bass: Mike Pattavina, Eric Colbeck, Johnny Wrench, Ramsey Kurdi, Thomas Major, Matt Hansen, Joe Blumenthal
Banjo: Diane Sanabria (AKA Banjo Queen of the Pioneer Valley)
Influences
Old Crow Medicine Show, The Mammals, The Grateful Dead, Del McCoury Band, Doc Watson, The Freighthoppers, John Denver, & many, many more...
Sounds Like
Highwood String Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Freighthoppers, The Grateful Dead
Appalachian Still is an acoustic string band out of Northampton, Massachusetts playing a toe-tapping mix of Alternative Old-time, Americana, Folk, and Bluegrass subtly enhanced with flavors of Jazz, Rock, and Country. This New England group has managed to create a unique sound that is distinctly their own yet remains rooted in the heart of Appalachia. Drawing from a repertoire of traditional tunes, original material and some covers, the feeling they create ranges from a rafters-shaking barn party at which dancing fools hoot and holler to the wee hours of the morning to that of sitting on the front porch in the lazy days of summer, pickin’, grinnin’, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
The group was originally conceived in 2002 after brothers Andrew and Len were blown away by the then-unknown opening act “Old Crow Medicine Show” playing high-energy Old-time music at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA. With stars in their eyes, the brothers knew they wanted to take their musical passions to the stage in similar fashion and perform oldtime bluegrass music for live audiences. For a few years the brothers traveled separate but parallel paths with Len focusing on bluegrass mandolin down in Tennessee while Andrew plucked Old-time fiddle tunes on the clawhammer banjo back in Massachusetts. Upon Len’s return from Tennessee the two began playing together on a weekly basis at a friend’s house where they met guitarist and music instructor Jared Libby and his bluegrassified Grateful Dead-inspired folk guitar. With a unique blend of vocal harmonies and musical styles, the three knew they had something special and the band was born.
After forming in the Spring of 2005, Appalachian Still busked on street corners and honed their chops together in local coffee shops and bars before graduating to the regional New England circuit, picking up a loyal fan base along the way. From its roots as a trio, the band has evolved and matured, bringing some outstanding musicians into the fold. Jane Hamel, luthier, fiddler, and bluegrass banjoist now adds her considerable talents to the mix, busting out rousing fiddle tunes and dead-on Scruggs-style banjo licks.
Appalachian Still features beautiful, strong multi-part harmonies likened to early Eagles and a unique oldtimey bluegrass style that has become the hallmark of the band's sound. From their home base in Northampton, MA the band hosts a regular concert series at the World War II Club and organizes many fundraising events for charity. They can also be found on the road, playing at venues, festivals, and schools as well as private and public events throughout the Greater New England area and beyond. Their songs have been featured on radio stations from Vermont to Georgia.
With awards under their belt, their debut c.d. in it's second printing, and a fan-base that continues to grow with each appearance, this self-promoting band is steaming full speed ahead. For this group, it’s all about the music and they show no signs of slowing down.
Hey Andrew, thanks so much for checking in and the comments....they are ALWAYS welcomed! How are things going with you? I wanted ask you if you wanted to be on the official email list? If so, shoot me an email and I will make sure my promotions manager puts you on the list.
Hello! Thanks for the comment awhile back, im not sure that any of us got back to you- the 5 of us gotta get organized! I really love your tunes, I hope i can see you all perform at some point! I go to school at UMass, so im in the area. I think centerville is probably something like 50 minutes away from wellfleet or so. Have a great summer, see you around :) -rose parkington
Promoters,club owners, booking agencies, talent buyers call and book this tour now! Check out video below! 301 674 6880 or 240 603 7237 if interested in booking "Great Price"
Thanks for the friendship. I thought the "Landfill" song was quite funny. If you ever make it over the border we'd love to do some jammin'! Stay in touch.
Howdy Appalacian Still! I wanted to drop you a note to thank you for taking the time to accept us as your friend, and listening to our music. We appreciate the gesture and are grateful that you enjoyed our tunes enough to add us to your community of friends. After all, having people connect with our music is why we do this. I hope you'll come by often to say hello and let us know what's happening with you, and when you have a spare moment, please visit our brand new webpage at www. crosstimbersbluegrass. com there you can listen to more of our music and find out more about us. Feel free to sign the guestbook! (And if you have any ideas about how we could improve the webpage, be sure to let us know)
All my best and thank you again, Matt (the bass player) Cross Timbers
Thanks for the add! saw you guys at WWII club a few months back! just trying to stay in the know about the local shows around western mass. songs on the page are great and sounds good live keep it coming!
Hey Guys! You go that special sauce! Lovin it! We are playin a show at the IRON HORSE tomorrow with David Jacobs-Strain...should be a good show, you should come on out! -AVI & CELIA
CONCERTS AT THE CAPTAIN'S HOUSE presents an evening of stories and songs with ------------------------------------- Sarah Michel's ** STORIES OF A FIDDLER ** Saturday, April 19th @ 7:30pm ------------------------------------- Captain Charles Leonard House; 663 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001
CALL 413-789-9267 AND RESERVE TICKETS EARLY!!! $14 advance / $18 at door
The moment her bow touches the strings, Sarah's passion for music is evident. Combining her influences of classical, bluegrass, and celtic music to create a unique style and sound.