Slappin' Billy B., Big Al and Lil' Rockin' or Rollin' Danny C = B.A.D.
See more action shots of the Boys in their Blog The Boys gigin' the Purple Moon in Waitsfield, VT 2/20/2009 - just like havin' 'em in yer livin' room...now that's "Smart Thinkin'"!
"Drunk Tank" - Performed at Boccelli's Restaurant, Bellows Falls, VT, 09/25/09
"Train Of Goodbye" - Performed on the Green Mountain Railroad, 09/27/09
"Honky Tonk Man" - Performed as only Billy B can on the Green Mountain Railroad, 09/27/09
Influences
Owens/Rich, Haggard, Cash, Paycheck, Jones, Jennings, Wagoner, Faron, Reeves (Del, NOT Jim), Connie Smith, all the other classic 50's and early 60's country stars, any great 3-chords & the truth in 2 verses and a chorus songwriters, all the dynamite Brother Duets, all the terrific Tele pickers (esp. Dandy Don Rich, but, also including, of course, Kirchen), all the super steel players, Bob Moore & all the stellar slappin' bass players (Huskey, Newton, Zinkan, Chance, Black), Jimmy Martin, Billy Lee Riley & many other ragin' rockabilly cats (esp. Joe Clay, Ronnie Dawson), Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy & Little Walter (that pretty much says it as far as harp is concerned), reggae, 60's rock, 40's & 50's jazz and R&B, surf (an' it ain't all Dick - dig The Lively Ones, The Pyramids & The Challengers), Duane, Link Davis (REAL gumbo), Freddie King, unique 5-string banjo pickers (Reno, Shelton, Keith, Thompson, Trent & Fleck) and any artist who was or is a TRUE stylist (Rodgers, Williams, Monroe, Wills, Jordan, Presley, Lewis, Diddley, Dale, Dylan, the Beatles an' a couple already mentioned here; anyway, you know what we're talkin' 'bout). Not to mention PBR, Miller, Schaefer, Red Stripe, Cruzan Rum, Jack 'n Coke, Knob Creek, Booker's, Baker's and the candlestick makers....
Sounds Like
nothin' else, but maybe...flapjacks and hickory-smoked bacon fryin' up in a cast iron skillet on a cold winter's day.
Better Luck is a Barroom Away
1999, originally recorded on Tin Town Records; now distributed by Cow Island Music.
Honkytonk Livin'
2002, originally recorded on Tin Town Records; now distributed by Cow Island Music.
Red's Place
2007, Cow Island Music.
Live at Charlie-O's World Famous
2008, Cow Island Music.
Green Mountain Style
2008, Cow Island Music. Only available as an LP.
Drunk Tank / Boppin' The Blues
2008, Cow Island Music. Only available as a 45.
Masquerade For Heartache
2009, Cow Island Music.
"Trail Boss" and Cow Island Music prez, Bill Hunt and The Boys.
Billy Bratcher holds down the beat for the trio on upright acoustic bass (doghouse, bull fiddle or floor bass as it's sometimes called). He toured with Texas Juke Joint King Wayne "The Train" Hancock and became well known throughout the US for mastering the unique "slap bass" style. Billy put out a "slap" bass instructional video for beginners on Hot Licks. He can be heard on the title track of Hancock's "That's What Daddy Wants" CD. In addition to his high energy playing, flamboyant showmanship an' great spirit for things old an' cool, Billy B. is a consummate songwriter. Billy has written most of the Starline Rhythm Boys' original numbers that have been put out on their four releases an' each one rings true like a classic song.
Danny Coane, the Prince of Montpelier an' Rockin' Pride of Vermont, just keeps on rollin' after 45 years in the business. He has fronted bluegrass, country and blues bands, but the rockabilly act "The Throbulators" gained him national exposure. Danny led the "Throbs" across the country and across the border. When you talk about "the real deal", you're talking about cats like Danny. He sings with soul and relentless enthusiasm, writes some and picks a banjo and guitar with equal ability. He is the main lead singer and a rhythmic (acoustic guitar) foundation for the band. In short, Little Danny C. is "Pepper Hot, Baby."
Big Al Lemery shines bright under any stage light. The sound that echoes out of his well-worn Fender Tele "widow maker" is powerful and can be downright spine tingling. Al's been banging out the beat throughout the northeast for 40 years. After stints in Albany, NY with the likes of Johnny Rabb's Jailhouse Rockers and Badge, Al made his way north to Burlington, VT. He is now in his element with The Starline Rhythm Boys. In addition to his lead playing, Al's powerful harmonies and strong lead singing round out the trio's high lonesome and hot rockin' sound. Also, when he croons out a ballad, everybody listens. Along with all this, Al is also a fine songwriter as evidenced by his big hit, "Drunk Tank". And...Big Al is the true "Pickin' Fisherman"!
RAVES & REVIEWS
"These boys remind me of the good old days, with a sound that's between Memphis and Nashville. It's good, clean and from the heart - and nowadays that's fresher."
- Vassar Clements
"Their music is the closest to the original stuff like Hank Williams, Sr., or Lefty Frizzell and Hank Locklin...it's honest hillbilly music. It is the best of its kind I have heard recently. I rate them right up there with BR549 and the Derailers."
- Billy Lee Riley
"This is the Real Deal. The Starline Rhythm Boys know how to make it rock and let it swing. They dish it out full strength, adult dosage. I'll take all of this I can get."
- Bill Kirchen
"This CD is as smooth as having a vanilla milkshake on a nice Saturday afternoon, on the front porch, while watching the girls go by."
- Wayne Hancock
"The trio croons old-fashioned country songs with pining vocals and retro NashBakersfield feel to them. Fans of retro sounds in the country-rockabilly vein are sure to gravitate to the Starline boys' rhythm. Bar stool optional."
- Dirty Linen
"Man, talk about a band that's out of their element. If the Starline Rhythm Boys belong anywhere, it's in Austin, Texas, a place where they'd almost certainly be the toast of the town."
- Country Standard Time
"If you're a fan of classic country and honky tonk music with elements of rockabilly, boogie woogie, bluegrass, western swing and hillbilly blues, you're gonna love the Starline Rhythm Boys."
- Vintage Guitar
"The music comes at you with passion and warm bourbon breath, like a white-knuckled freight driver on an all-night stretch to see his baby. The Boys can even make some smoky Burlington bar feel like...the front seat of a '53 Caddy in, say Galveston, with the radio on real loud."
- Seven Days
"If you're a fan of smooth honky-tonk swing with touches of rockabilly pace, then these songs are gonna make you wanna grease back your hair and roll up the denim cuffs. If your baby likes to dance, you'll have no trouble movin' on the dance floor."
- Burlington Free Press
Hello boyz... can't get to starry night friday but i may shoot for Dan's Place! or maybe the Antidote... hum... seems like that's gonna be a fun sorta place.
Congrats to the Boys for moving up to #1 from #7 on the Freeform
American Roots (FAR) charts with their debut of "Masquerade For
Heartache"! Who sez Vermont can't honky-tonk! It's a little late in
the year to be in the running for album of the year, but you never know
with these Boys!
gonna try to get to Starry Night on Dec. 18 but I'll be practicing for something on Dec. 19... so, gotta play it by ear! but... yer inspiration would be good for me! and it's been TOO LONG!!!!!
merci de nous avoir permis de faire partie de ton cercle d'amis c'est un réel plaisir pour nous longue vie à ta musique et à celle des 60's toutes nos musicales amitiés de chez les Ch'tis
Congrats to the Boys for having their new release "Masquerade For Heartache" debut on the FAR charts at #7 in October - lets run 'er up the charts fans by requesting it from your local FAR DJ. Also, see their Myspace Blog for the 3rd Coast Music Review of the release. Kudos to the Boys --- keep crankin' out those hits!
FYI - The gig tonight, Friday, November 6, has been canceled at Red Square. The mgt. double-booked, and unfortunately the Boys (and their fans) are the losin' party. But be sure to come out and see them the Sat. after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, and work off some of that turkey and pie.
Callin' all Northeast Kingdomers and surroundin' fans - join the Boys on this spooky night for some monster mashin' on Burke Mountain at Mid Burke's Bear Den. The Boys start at 9pm, there is a cover. See ya there!
Come on out tonight to Dan's Place (31 Main St.) in downtown Bristol, VT to catch the Boys as they're back on the giggin' trail. This venue is quite intimate - and reservations are highly recommended due to the size - so give 'em a call (802) 453-2774) an' come on over; the Boys'll be on at 8pm til 10pm. And despite the coziness there's still a little room up front of the band for some hardwood shufflin'.
And don't forget Saturday night at Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington, VT for the BIKE RECYCLE VT BENEFIT. Tickets are $20 advance; $25 door; if yer 15 an' under or 65 an' older, then it's half price! Doors open a 6pm for refreshments and a cash bar. The Boys start playin' at 7pm an' go 'till 10pm. There will also be a silent auction.
Proceeds from the event benefit the great Bike Recycle Vermont mission
of providing refurbished bicycles and job training skills for
low-income Vermonters. http://www.localmotion.org
thanks for the add guys. I grew up with a guy named Joe brooks and also with with Bill @ G's restaurant a few years back. And of course I have seen you guys around town and love yous!!!
Hitch yer horse to the Starline Band Wagon and git yer keister out to the Honky Tonk Hoedown II tonight at the Hartland American Legion in White River Junction, VT - doors open at 7:15 pm, 2-step lesson at 7:30, two great bands beginning at 8pm for just $10 single/$15 couple! Then git them boots polished up again for the "Masquerade for Heartache" CD release party at Charlie-O's in downtown Montpeculiar, VT tomorra night - music at 9:30pm - buy the new 10-song release for $10, and maybe walk away with a prize for the best SRB look alike!
Upcoming CD release party THIS SATURDAY - Oct. 10, 2009 at Charlie-O's World Famous bar in Montpelier, VT. Come celebrate the Boys' new, second release of songs, "Masquerade For Heartache", recorded in this fine establishment in Oct. 2007. The Boys take the plywood floor at 9:30pm, but be sure there will be some celebratin' beforehand with the Western masquerade theme. Starline Rhythm Boy look alike contest - prizes for winners!
CANCELLATION ON THE LINCOLN INN GIG! The Boys will NOT be playing at the Lincoln Inn tonight. But you can lift a brew and wish Big Al a great birthday and year none the less and wherever you find yourself tonight. Sorry folks, but this one is out of their hands and no fault of their own.
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