Jay Sanders
Upright and Electric Bass, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Vocals
Andy Pond
Acoustic and Electric (midi) Banjo, Vocals
George Pond
Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Vocals
Billy Seawell
Drums, Tablas, Percussion, Vocals
Influences
CX-1 Bluegrass Boyz Blast Off
Halloween Show at Boone Saloon Oct. 29
By Jeff Eason
About eight years ago there was a weekly tradition in downtown Boone that attracted all sorts of music lovers. An incredibly original jazz band called The CX-1 Black Hole Bluegrass Boyz would hold court every Wednesday at the Howard Street Grill and Brewery. The crowds grew each week and the band never disappointed with its mix of banjo, acoustic bass, brass and intricately rhythmic compositions.
The CX-1 Black Hole Bluegrass Boyz, an experimental jazz-laced acoustic band, had its origins in Boone eight years ago. The band has reformed and will present a special Masquerade Halloween Extravaganza at the Boone Saloon on Saturday, October 29th.
Eventually CX-1 bassist Jay Sanders was recruited to become a full-time member of Acoustic Syndicate while banjo player Andy Pond became immersed his family band, Snake Oil Medicine Show. Coincidentally (or not so coincidentally?), Howard Street Grill and Brewery closed its doors not long afterward and the giant beer-making vats were sold to the Carolina Beer & Beverage Company.
Good news, music lovers. The CX-1 Bluegrass Boyz have reunited and will be playing in Boone on Saturday, October 29th at the Boone Saloon in downtown Boone. The show is a special Halloween Masquerade Party and attendees are urged to come as you aren’t.
“Those were some great times at the Howard Street Grill,” said Sanders of the weekly Wednesday shows. “Then this year, Acoustic Syndicate ended its run at the same time that Snake Oil Medicine Show did. We decided it was an obvious coincidence and an opportunity to explore CX-1 some more. So far it has been a completely natural fit.”
The band is now a four-piece and includes Sanders on bass, Andy Pond on banjo, Billy Seawell on drums and George Pond on guitar. Where as the old incarnation of CX-1 was primarily an instrumental affair, the new version of the band plays many vocal numbers with the Pond Brothers sharing the majority of the singing duties.
CX-1 also has a new album out under the heading Andy Pond and the CX-1 Black Hole Bluegrass Boyz on Tree Leaf Records. The album was recorded in the spring of 2004 and the band has already moved on—performing only four or five tunes from that album during its live shows. But it is worth noting that the album is a fine representation of how Pond has grown as a composer since his days as a music major at Appalachian State University.
The album also features a wealth of talent from the pool of musicians in the Asheville and Boone areas. It includes performances from Jon Price, Jason Krekel, Jeremy Saunders, Larry Keel, Gaines Post, Richard Faulk, Sean Foley and Caroline Pond. Musically, the album explores jazz, bluegrass and reggae in a cohesive manner.
The emphasis on the new album is Andy Pond’s innovative banjo playing and as such it is getting positive recognition from both jazz and bluegrass critics.
“Fans of Bela Fleck should check out Andy Pond and the CS-1 Black Hole Bluegrass Boyz, a wild and sometimes wacky collection of Flecktone-like material by a ten-member group all based around the very impressive banjo playing of Andy Pond,” wrote the reviewer for Banjo Newsletter. “This slightly giddy record consists of all Pond originals, and continues to explore the possibilities of newgrass reggae as heard on (Snake Oil Medicine Show’s) Bluegrastafari recording, while also including tunes sounding more jazzy or funky or newgrassy or East Indian/Klezmer or classic banjo meets circus music or even modern hokum.”
The reviewer fails to mention that one of the standout cuts on the album is a version of “Creek Come Rising” written by former High Country resident Matt Rue.
“We’re focusing our attention on the new material that we have written as a quartet,” said Sanders. “This is it for us, we finally are playing music for CX-1 without the distraction of being in other bands. We are heading forward with a determination to achieve longevity with this band.”
Lately that longevity has meant hitting the road to bring the band’s unique sound to different parts of the country, sometimes performing as the backup band for more established acts such as Moonshine Still. Everywhere the band goes, however, they find music fans who are familiar with their individual talents from their previous bands. Those same music lovers are eager to hear what CX-1 has to offer.
“We’re getting ready to record some of our new stuff at Tree Sound in Atlanta,” said Andy Pond. “They’re some great people down there and once you record with them, you never want to record anywhere else.”
For more information on the CX-1 Black Hole Bluegrass Boyz Masquerade Show at the Boone Saloon, call (828) 264-1811.
"Fans of Bela Fleck should check out 'Andy Pond and the CX-1 Black Hole Bluegrass Boyz," a wild and sometimes wacky collection of Flecktone-like material by a ten-member group all based around the very impressive banjo playing of Andy Pond. CX-1 now consists of FOUR members of two deep-rooted North Carolina family bands: Acoustic Syndicate and the Snake Oil Medicine Show. This slightly giddy record consists of all Pond originals, and continues to explore the possibilities of newgrass reggae as heard on the Snake Oil's 'Bluegrassafari" recording, while also including tunes sounding more jazzy or funky (Fudd Up) or newgrassy or East Indian/klezmer or Classic Banjo meets circus music (Piedmont Squirrel Rag) or even modern hokum (Hoedown in Hades). Sound like fun? For more info go to www.homegrownmusic.net and search for Andy Pond."
Banjo Newsletter, September 2005
CX-1 Is One Of The Best Examples Of Modern Fusion Music.
As a Progressive Roots Power Quartet, the dynamic between Jay Sanders, Andy Pond, George Pond and Billy Seawell is an equal union. Spreading the music and message of universal harmony, these four travelers have been at the epicenter of Western North Carolina's progressive acoustic movement.
Discovering combinations of World Beat, Reggae, Rock-N-Roll and Americana, CX-1's textural compositions and three-part harmony continue to expand musical boundaries.
As a bassist and composer, Jay Sanders was an underlying inflluence in Acoustic Syndicate. He helped propel their ten year career through six award winning albums, including two for roots label Sugar Hill.
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Billy Seawell studied music and spanish before putting to sea. Aboard the ship he was immersed in an intense musical regimen. Snake Oil Medicine Show met Billy at the gang-plank of his ocean liner, loaded him into the band van and toured with him for 5 years! A rhythmic genius, Billy incorporates Latin and Eastern Indian styles into CX-1's unique blend. When not on stage, Billy, a vegetarian, uses a variety of voices and characterizations to stay crispy!Billy Seawell is a life student of music and language. He began playing music at an early age and has found his study of the Spanish language particularly helpful in his instrumental career. After scouring the globe as a vegetarian show band drummer on various cruise lines, he began touring exclusively with the Snake Oil Medicine Show. This took him all over the US and Jamaica thus propelling his passion of American music and fueling his love for Jamaican culture. Being a world music aficionado, Indian Tabla study is also one of Billy’s greatest inspirations. With these various influences, along with the absolute blessing of playing in a group of outstanding individuals, he would like to think he is a unique drummer indeed. .
Non-Euclidean guitarist and neo-process songwriter, George Pond, is an incarnate reflection of CREATION. He goes by fast, being known as many different "logos". This very infinitesimal JUNIOR has repeatedly appeared in tandem with the Creative Anarchy Programme, A POSITIVE ART PHENOM: the Snake Oil Medicine Show which is a reflection of ONELOVE/OHM. Warpextor Cosmoverse now plays the electric and acoustic guitar and bass for CX-1. His witty lyrics explore everything from the Golden Rule to Quantum Physics. His creative and energetic intellect surprise even his oddest/closest friends! He gets most of his inspiration from eels and sex appeal. When not onstage, George is in Black Rock City wearing a fendoshi and eating dulse.
All four musicians approach the project focused on positivity and quality musicianship. Explorations of acoustic electronica CX-1 will take you on a journey through vast soundscapes and musical adventures.
ANDY POND, CX-1 AND THE POROUS BORDERS OF MUSIC
Andy Pond, banjoist extraordinaire for CX-1, has participated in the Carnegie Hall Professional Training Workshop sponsored by Edgar Meyer. Entitled The Porous Borders Of Music, additional instructors include Bela Fleck and Mike Marshall.
In a recent interview Andy sat down to discuss The Porous Borders of Music Workshop and his participation.
Q: After being accepted, how were you notified and what was your reaction?
A: I received a call from Carnegie hall while I was subbing (Andy is a substitute teacher in Asheville NC). I checked the message and instantly call back. I was stoked!! I jumped in the air like a Toyota commercial.
Was this a nation search for talent or international?
I believe that it was an international search. The only other Banjoist is a 4-string player from Ireland.
The Edgar Meyer Workshop: Porous Borders of Music
CARNEGIE HALL, NYC,NY
The idea of the Porous Borders Of Music is at the very core of what CX-1 represents. The band could make a mission statement out of the melding of musical and cultural ideas to create a unified vision of humanity. We congratulate Andy on his deserving selection and look forward to see what he brings back to the melting pot!
Andy Pond Debut Release Andy Pond and the CX-1 Blackhole Bluegrass Boys
Hot Off The Press! Andy Pond and the Cygnus X-1 Blackhole Bluegrass Boys is an amazing album of Andy Pond's original compositions. Focused around Andy's phenomenal banjo skills, all four members of CX-1 are featured in a supporting role, allowing Andy's rhythmic and melodic sense to flourish into a powerhouse presence.
In addition to the members of CX-1, Andy's album features stellar performances by Jeremy Saunders, Jason Krekel, Gaines Post, Jon Price, Sean Foley and Richard Foulk. This album shines as one of the best examples of modern acoustic music to come out of the next generation of acoustic lions.
We missed you at Boone Saloon, it wasn't on the Shout calendar when we went to press. Next time, text us or call and we'll make sure to be there in numbers!! Hope all is well, and you are living happy joy!
AM Jam Productions anxiously anticipates a weekend of hilarity, musical collaborations, and fun for all ages during the inaugural Asheville Music Jamboree. Scheduled for June 1st to June 3rd, the event will be held at Deerfields, one of the most scenic music venues in North Carolina.
The weekend will feature an eclectic mix of musical entertainment, featuring Michael Franti & Spearhead, Keller Williams and the WMD’S, The Avett Brothers, Donna the Buffalo, Acoustic Syndicate, CX-1, Toubab Krewe and many others. Showcasing two music stages and multiple camping options, the event will include food vendors, crafters, art, kid’s activities and non-profit group info booths.
For full information and tickets, visit www.amjam.net. And be sure to keep up with contests, news, artist additions, and other fun features by registering as an Asheville Music Jamboree myspace friend. Enjoy your musical moments and we hope to see you in the Appalachians in early June!
Thanks so much for adding me! I hope I can
further your understanding of our universe,
and give you realistic hope for "faster than
light" travel without violating relativity!
I'm here to tell snoopsmore that CX-1 does not need no stinking penis enlargements.
Those boys are just fine the way they are!
CX-1: big enough already!
Hey guys! Just checking to see if you still inhabit the same four dimensions as the rest of us. I haven't made it to Ashville yet but you never know. I'm hoping our paths cross at a festival or two this summer.
Check your granny
(Disclaimer: this comment is b/c this lyric is keeps unconsciously slipping into my liminal experience. It is not intended to be directions to worry about your G-ma.)
