Bill and Paula draw their inspiration from rare 78 rpm recordings of the southern "old-time" music of the 1920s and 30s, including artists such as Ernest V. Stoneman, The Carter Family, Uncle Dave Macon, Jimmie Tarlton, Wilmer Watts, B.F. Shelton, Will Gilmer, Dilly, Dock Boggs, The Blue Sky Boys, Jimmie Rodgers and G.B. Grayson. With deep devotion to the diverse and haunting textures of that era, Bill and Paula represent their favorites on period instruments (guitar, banjo, fiddle, Hawaiian guitar, banjo-ukulele, harmonica) in sundry and often surprising combinations.
Sounds Like
“Being passionate about early country music means nothing less than a lifetime of study and devotion. You eat, drink and breathe these wonderful old traditions until they become part of your being and you can speak from them with clarity and inspiration. Paula & Bill are two artists who have done just that. As Moonshine Holler, their sweet music will transport you to a wonderfully different place and time and leave you a smile on your face and a lilt in your step.” - Bruce Molsky . . . . . .
“Paula & Bill are two of the most versatile and knowledgeable old-time musicians I know. They can pull off so many facets of the tradition with such ease. They’re great players, great singers, and they know how to have fun!” - Rayna Gellert . . . . .
“You can be pretty confident that any group featuring Bill and Paula will come up with old-time music of the best sort” - Tom Paley, founding memeber, New Lost City Ramblers
“It’s a joy to watch a husband-wife team that has so much fun on stage. Moonshine Holler offers up great vocals and spine-tingling duet harmonies, sweet picking and twangin’, more instruments than you can shake a stick at, and a varied repertoire that ranges from fiery old-time fiddle chestnuts to little-known country crooners. Highly recommended!” - Rani Arbo, of Signature Sounds recording artists, Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem
Moonshine Holler (Paula Bradley and Bill Dillof) is a versatile husband & wife duet who play and sing traditional music of the southern mountains: heartsongs, ballads, hillbilly blues, minstrel ditties and breakdowns, with some old-time flatfooting to boot! Their love and knowledge of American traditional music is evident in their lively and engaging performances, and their repertoire reflects a wide range of traditional music styles – from the plaintive singing of the Carter Family to the fast fiddle breakdowns of the southern stringbands. Both Paula and Bill are accomplished musicians who have performed at many festivals, including the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Alaska Folks Festiva, the Wheatland Music Festival,MN OT and Bluegrass Festival, Renfro Valley Barn Dance, Bluff Country Gathering, Pinewoods Folk Music Week, Hillbilly Days in Pikeville, KY, and the Hudson Clearwater Revival. Additionally, they are sought-after traditional music teachers and have been staff instructors at Augusta (Elkins, WV) and Swannanoa (Asheville, NC) Old-Time Weeks, Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, the Maryland Banjo Academy, and the Bluff Country Gathering (Lanesboro, MN). They also recently performed live music for an equity production of the play “The Knights of Mary Phagan”. Paula and Bill reside in the Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts. Paula also plays with Jawbone (Bruce Molsky & Tony Trischka) as well as tinkles the ivories with honkytonk heroines Girl Howdy.
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Thank you for the request! I really appreciate it. Your music sounds good, keep on playin'! Hope you're having a great week so far... Lots of love, -Meredith Lyn ~Always keepin' it blue~
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
I've enjoyed your music in your various band configurations over the years; turns out you sound just fine as a duo! Thanks for the friendship, and I hope our paths will cross sometime....
You need to come out to The Good Piebrations Coffee House Tonight. This is the first show of what will be a monthly series. Come and hear Chris Merenda and Bruce Mandaro tear it up and play some tunage from the past and present.
Doors open at 7:00
Lots of good food and pies.
It will be a fun time.
First Congregational Church - 25 Park Place Lee, Massachusetts 01238 US Cost:$5
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