The band with no name. Richie Stearns, TB, Jason Sypher & James Connant. Big Apple Bluegrass & Folk Festival, Nov 2002.
Influences
Listen to, but nescisarily influenced by: insects, birdsongs, & white noise. John Hartford, Clark Kessinger, Riley Puckett, John Ashby, Allison Krauss, the Mona's session(Eamon O'Leary, Patrick Orceau, Dana Lyn), John Dougherty, Doc Watson, Maybell Carter, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Christian, Eddie Lange, Lester Young, Lowe Stokes.
Sounds Like
The Forge Mountain Diggers, The Freight Hoppers, Doc Watson, John Hartford "Groundhog"
As a recognizable face in the old-time music scene/festival circuit, Thomas Bailey's sound and style expresses his deep love and passion for Southern
string band music. Born and raised in Southwest Virginia, this die-hard performer's distinct baritone voice punctuates his multi-instrumental facility of guitar, fiddle, mandolin and string bass.
A journeyman of such bands as the Hogwaller Ramblers, Faster than Walking, The Forge Mountain Diggers; Bailey's earned his miles as a tireless traveller, enthusiastic band member, traditionalist and innovator. He returned from his 2007 Europe tour to work with the newly revived, old time trailblazers, the Freight Hoppers.
Spurred on in the late hours after respective gigs and old time music gatherings, Bailey's most recent project, "It's Always August," is a collection of notable fiddle and guitar tunes from the American song bag. The recording is just an icebreaker towards a new album to be followed up in 2009 & will feature old and original material yet glazed with a more contemporary sound and songs from some of his favorite composers.
Other recordings include "Brilliancy,"(2001) his rendition of "Ain't Gonna Work
Tomorrow" on the CD "Songs from the Underground -The
Best of NYC Subway Musicians", plus the critically acclaimed self-titled Forge Mountain Diggers CD.
Bailey's vocal and guitar work on the album received accolades from The Old Time Herald magazine which raved," Thomas Bailey is simply one of my favorite singers" while Bluegrass Unlimited called the album "…a breathtaking collection of old-time music that deserves to be an integral part of any serious music library." Bluegrass matron, Lynn Morris says, "…a wonderful singer and a powerful guitarist."
His favorite color is red; he enjoys roast pork with chili paste and advocates bringing the United States' GDP back from the grave through alternate energy programs, super-efficient automobile and appliance manufacture, and a broader nationwide passenger rail initiative.
Hello Mr Bailey! Fancy playing in the Steel city, Sheffield, England? Next time you're in the UK, let us know - we'd love to have you play there. Take care.
Four more little sonic gems for your August pleasure are now available on the site. Blitzen Trapper, Boulder Acoustic Society, Jay Brannan and The Wiyos. Yet another fine quartet even though we say so ourselves as picked them out.
"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
Hello, after an unfortunate hiatus, the reasons for which are probably best not gone into here, we finally have some new music on the AUK MySpace site. For your listening pleasure this month we offer Nathan Oliver, Conrad Ford, the irrepressible Todd Snider and the delightful Beccy Owen. Don't forget too, for those of you within striking distance of Leicester, Electric Dustbowl 2 on 19 September.
Hi cousin! I moved off Music Row into Johnny Campbell's house. So Jesse McReynold's is my neighbor now and the Campbell's are going to make sure I am fiddling! Can't wait to see you at IBMA! lol!
Hey Thomas! Sorry I missed you in the UK. I am on the west coast of Ireland atm, staying in a small thatch by the coast and recording a new album .... come, stay, jam! love the shades b.t.w peace Jon
Monday - May 18, 2009 At The Black Cat (Washington DC) XMC - Ex - HOLY ROLLERS - Ex - NEGATIVE APPROACH - Ex - MEATMEN - Ex - HYAA! with PUP TENT 9:00pm - $8.00
... M A M Y K Ô ... 
MONTRÉAL QUÉBEC CANADA
(£2.99). Cheerz, Abbas.
