Rudy Bzdyk- guitar, vocals, harmony maker, making jokes between songs
Erik Burnham- harmonica, vocals, dancing, percussion on non percussive instruments
Ben Walters- upright bass, vocals, double taps, staying extremely focused
Melissa Wright- lead vocals, mandolin, chopping but never soloing, laughing at the end of songs
Influences
Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Lightin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, The Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, Neil Young, Bessie Smith, Simon and Garfunkel, Keb' Mo', Pete Seeger, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, the Band, Jimmy Hendrix, Bill Monroe, James Taylor, John Denver, The Beatles, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Patsy Cline, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Chris Thile, Nickel Creek, Old Crow Medicine Show, Stephane Grapelli, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin
Sounds Like
go to www.myspace.com/melissaewright to hear more songs
Brief Bio:
The Acoustic Burgoo was formed in January 2006, consisting of four talented young musicians from Loudoun Valley High School. Ever since they joined together, Rudy Bzdyk, Ben Walters, Erik Burnham, and Melissa Wright have taken Loudoun by storm, once even called "Loudoun's own Nickel Creek." They play a blend of modern and classic folk, blues, and bluegrass, as well as original tunes. They can be seen playing music and singing songs anywhere and everywhere, from the auditorium of their high school to the high peaks of nearby mountains. They ramble around Western Loudoun and if you look close you'll probably see them in Rudy's Volvo wagon adorned with a huge "ACOUSTIC BURGOO" sign or in Ben's blue '77 Land Cruiser lovingly nicknamed "The Burgoozer". The Burgoo is fresh, vibrant, young, energetic, and ready to rock your
world. I think we have about 50 solid songs, so we can do about 3 hours of music...
When the Acoustic Burgoo formed, the original members knew little at all about the ways of folk and bluegrass music. They were five young high school students who wanted little more than to have a good time doing what they love, play music. They began in February 2006 with Melissa Wright on vocals, John Rowley on guitar, Rudy Bzdyk on guitar, Ben Walters on bass, and Lexi Vangsnes on fiddle, none of them with any great exposure to roots music, and for the most part without knowledge of its relevance or great musical and cultural qualities. Had it not been for the movie O Brother Where Art Thou, they may not have been as excited to pursue the American Roots. They did their best to practice regularly outside of school and to build their repertoire, which grew very quickly and consisted of a few originals, a hand full of folk revival covers, and some traditional tunes, most notably Man of Constant Sorrow. All of their first shows were private parties and school talent shows, not to mention playing for family and friends. In mornings at Loudoun Valley High School, they would play in the halls for loose change or whatever else kids wanted to throw at us. They practiced more and played more shows, moving on local venues such as the Bluemont Fair, Round Hill Hometown Fest, and Leesburg's First Night. They frequented local Round Hill bluegrass jams, learning from whoever we could and taking any chance to play. Without really even knowing it, they were knees deep in a great musical venture that only months previously they knew little to nothing about. The music of Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, Patsy Cline, Grateful Dead, Irish and American traditionals, James Taylor, and a steady flow of originals kept them alert and challenged. The Acoustic Burgoo makes each and every song strong and unique. In January of 2007 Lexi and John left the group, and Rudy, Ben, and Melissa quickly grabbed a hold of Erik Burnham to play harmonica and this is the existing line up today!
Opportunities for the Acoustic Burgoo have been rapidly growing as they become better musicians and a tighter band. They have held regular gigs at the White Palace Restaurant in Purcellville, have played farmer's markets, played at Watermelon Park Fest, and opened for Larry Sparks at the Lucketts Bluegrass Series. The Acoustic Burgoo organizes the Loudoun Wildlife Fest, an annual Loudoun County music festival.
As a group we have all come to love bluegrass and roots music and appreciate its relevance to American Culture. Any opportunity is welcomed to show what we can do or to learn from our music elders, to keep the oldest music young.
Contact us at our band email, theacousticburgoo@yahoo.com for booking.
Hello! i've seen your The Acoustic Burgoo sticker in some car around campus and always wondered who that is! But then I saw your name on the Watermelon Park Fest list and now I know! You guys are pretty rad! WE should jam at Watermelon Park.
I actually belive the dude in the hat in your pic was in my Fitness For Life class this past semester...I forget your name...lol sorry...but Im the short girl with the small self.
Peace and have a great summer! Tory Ophelia (Mandolin)
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HELP PUT THE STANLEY BROTHERS IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME!
Ralph Stanley has received many well-deserved honors in the last few years, yet one honor eludes him. While many of their fellow musicians and singers have been recognized by The Country Music Hall of Fame, THE STANLEY BROTHERS have been sadly -- some say criminally -- overlooked.
Jeanie Stanley, youngest daugher of Carter, and fan Kaye Hill have organized an on-going petition to change all that.
"The Country Music Hall of Fame recognizes those persons who have made a significant contribution to the country music field," says Hill. "The Stanley Brothers helped lay the foundation for what we have today. Their names deserve to be listed among greats like Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs, who have already be recognized."
You can join their efforts in one of the following ways:
Contact the CMHoF directly:
Mr. Kyle Young, President
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
222 Fifth Avenue South
Nashville TN 37203
Or, if you prefer, you can send a letter to Kaye Hill, who will forward them to the HoF.
D. Kaye Hill
PO Box 2553
Harrisonsonburg VA 22801
Kay says, "a simple one-line note is all that would be required, but please remember to supply your name and address, and an email address if applicable. I will be collecting all letters and forwarding them to the Country Music Hall of Fame."
And you :] we are excited to know that there is real talent amongst the youth; thank you for contributing and being a part of chasing away the dischord of the universe and creating real harmonies and music. Blessings,
trees. P>S> the info for the june 15th show is on our myspace. I may even have something for you guys on July 4th towards middleburg.
Thanks for the request Rudy, Ben, Erik and Melissa and welcome to folkjam.org. Organize a jam or find local musicians in our groups-on-maps, post the details of local open jams or view a map of jams, workshops and festivals near you.
Scott
Chief Fiddling Officer
www.folkjam.org Find jams. Post jams. Play well with others.
yo! thanks for finding me on here! I'm about to take my skateboard out on the sidewalk for a little bit in DC but just wanted to jump on here first and thank you for adding me to your page!
If you like my music and want to purchase my CD go to www.cdbaby.com/justintrawick. Otherwise, please go to my myspace page and sign up for my mailing list!
