Chris Gleason, Ryan Hayes, Jim Weigel, Britt Merrill, and Dr. Noel Black (and yes, that is his real name, although it has a real Hollywood feel to it)
Influences
Tommy Jarrell, Highwoods String Band, Troublesome Creek, The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, Clarence Ashley, Richie Stearns, The Skillet Lickers, High on the Hog, Foghorn Stringband, etc.
Note: the music samples here feature Collin Gallahue, Ryan Hayes, Ray Palmer, and Chris Gleason. I state this because we've had some turnover, and I am trying to hand out the credit (or blame) where credit (or blame) is due. Anyway...
"The Bueno Avenue Stringband"... this is the latest and finally permanent in a long and boring series of band names. We started out as "The Whistlepigs", which kicked ass, but it turned out we didn't come up with it first so we had to let it go, then we were the "The Slap Yer Belly Stringband", which was fun but never quite got traction, and then it dawned on us that we might as well be The Bueno Avenue Stringband, since we all live on Bueno now, and we are, well, a stringband. Hard to argue with that logic. As luck would have it, not all of us live on Bueno anymore, but I'll give up this band name when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.
The big excitement these days is that we have hats. They're $5 in your choice of colors-- your choice of whatever is available, that is. And if your want to get one for your sweetheart they are 2 for $8. Can't beat that deal. Anyway they're hot stuff and we are now the official band of The Fighting Hamsters softball team.
And we also have t-shirts! Straight from the thrift stores to your closet, with a brief stop at the woodshop for some custom screen-printing. Your choice of whatever we have, $10 each.
So anyway, here's the lineup:
Chris Gleason, who mostly plays fiddle these days, since somebody's got to do it, and nobody else has exactly jumped out of their chairs shouting "ooh ooh me, me". He also plays clawhammer banjo and sings (ok, maybe it is more like shouting, but again, somebody's got to do it).
Ryan "Lonestar" Hayes, who smacks the tar out of the bass, as long as he has taped his hand eight ways from Sunday and isnt bleeding all over himself and whoever else gets in the way. Talk about taking one for the team. He also has turned into a helluva banjo player-- it happened almost overnight, with no warning whatsoever - so ask him and he'll play you a tune.
Jim "Rhythm King" Weigel, who is on the fast track to banjo superstardom, if there is such a thing. That reminds me of an anecdote by Steve Martin, who, when asked why he gave up playing the banjo, implied that it wasn't exactly the sure bet to fame and fortune by remarking the "you never see a sign that reads 'Parking for the banjo player's Porsche only'". But I digress... anyway, Jim has been thumping on the banjo for a couple of years now and is kicking some ass. We expect great things, so stay tuned.
Britt Merrill has been into old time music for about a year but you'd think it was way longer, given the amount of passion she brings to it. In addition to being a real standout on clawhammer banjo, she has a great sense for repertoire, and she adds a lot to the band by reminding us that not every song needs to be played at warp speed. This is critical, as we really do need to keep things mixed up if we have a prayer of being fun to listen to.
Dr. Noel "Also from Texas, but Ryan got the 'Lonestar' nickname first" Black, who plays a mean guitar (thanks, we needed it!). He is also a great bluegrass banjo player, although he is surprisingly modest about it. His humility is an unusual trait in a banjo player. Another thing he might not tell you is that he is a shockingly fast snowboarder. Ask him about this and you won't be disappointed.
Our famous Alums: they left footprints on our hearts...
Ray "Fancy Ray" Palmer, now a resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas, who entertains crowds both near and far by never playing the same instrument twice. I'm not kidding, sometimes he shows up with a mandolin, sometimes a fiddle, sometimes a tenor banjo, sometimes a guitar. I would not be surprised to see him to roll in with a glockenspiel and play it flawlessly.
Collin Gallahue, who is building violins in Brookly, NY, of all places. Never would've guessed it, but as we say in the woodworking business, "huh". Anyway, Collin is pretty much Appalachia personified. He is a chicken-raising, fiddle-making, Carhartt-wearing, pick-up-driving kind of guy, and he also plays the other instruments with great skill, although he is too modest to tell you that.
Dr. Ezra Bussman, now residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a great guy and a phenomenal musician. He was there when we took our first steps (talk about your co-dependant enablers) and we sure do miss him. He speaks softly but is one of the finest bluegrass players I've ever met. Last I saw, he had a sweet magic marker knuckle tattoo.
Anyway, we play a lot around Salt Lake, and are available for private parties, weddings, and whatnot. Our musical cornerstones are our 2nd & 4th Friday gig at Big Ed's, and the 3rd Friday Square Dance at the woodshop.
Be fore-warned, the music samples are from a show a few years ago, and they are not exactly the highest quality recordings but you'll get the idea. It was also the first time that we had played a couple of the songs, so I'm sure you can forgive the rough edges. We're like, so much more refined now that we've actually played em through a few times. One of these days we'll get around to recording some more stuff.
The Bueno Avenue Stringband's Friend Space (Top 8)
Grazie, Gracias, Thanks for the add. The songs I write are a reflection of my life. The lyrics, like an unveiled biography. My kids and the "loves" of my life, are my biggest inspiration. I give them and everyone who inspires me, my heart...Sign the guest book if you get a chance. Peace n Love, Miguel
SPAMED! Can you ever forgive me? If so, please vote for me!
I am in Round Two of The TRCoA Unsigned Artist Competition. Help me get to Round Three by clicking my face and voting for me!
If I’m in the top 4 I get to play a showcase for record executives and could win 100 free hours in the studio.
If I were selected, it would really help me rock some faces off, please take a second and vote.
Thanks!
-Ted Hadji
Hi! we just posted our upcoming WEST COAST tour dates on our page, all our shows are booked except LA at this point. We have all new merch including cd's, panties, hoodies, t-shirts, duct tape wallets, etc.
So come dance your ass of with us saturday!! It will be incredible!
Hey cool cat! Hope to see you at our show this Saturday!
Pats BBQ (ALL AGES! plus beer for 21+) 155 West Commonwealth Avenue (2125 South) Salt Lake City, Utah Cost:$7 Date..Time: September 15th 2007 6PM Description:The rockabilly legend Lew Williams will be appearing to sign autographs and meet everyone. There will be a DJ spinning rare rockabilly..hillbilly and rhythm n blues records as well as us playing along with Hillbilly Fever. It’s goingto be a great show!!!
Chris, I miss jamm'in with you. Too bad I missed you last Jan. here in Portland. We'll definitely catch up next Jan. when you make the trip again. Love the tunes boys, keep up the pick'in and belly slapp'in! -Stefan (Tarnation Revival)
Watch out, once you've got a myspace site, the record labels will be all over you, trying to get you to sell out, i.e. start putting gel in your hair and wearing designer clothes in order to reach a 14 yr old fan base. My advice.. ... . . . .
Do it!
