You'll relish this Hudson Valley stringband's rollicking
renditions of regional folksongs, mountain ballads, square dance tunes, and
instrumental medleys. Specializing in traditional music from the
Hudson/Catskill/ Adirondack regions, they're also likely to play sea songs,
ragtime tunes, novelty numbers, and even more recently songs from people like
Pete Seeger that reflect life from long ago. Starting as duo with Rich and Tom
in 1993, they became a trio in 2006 with the addition of Rick Hill. Over the
years they've performed at coffeehouses, concert series, community events, and
festivals throughout the northeast, including Caffe' Lena, Clearwater's
"Great Hudson Revival" Festival, Sonny Ochs' "Helping Hands"
Concert Series, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and First Night events in Albany
and Saratoga Springs, NY, to name just a few.
The Boys and Their Music
You'll relish this Hudson Valley stringband's rollicking renditions of
regional folksongs, mountain ballads, square dance tunes, and instrumental
medleys. Specializing in traditional music from the Hudson/Catskill/
Adirondack regions, they're also likely to play sea songs, ragtime tunes,
novelty numbers, and even more recently songs from people like Pete Seeger
that reflect life from long ago. Starting as duo with Rich and Tom in
1993, they became a trio in 2006 with the addition of Rick Hill. Over the
years they've performed at coffeehouses, concert series, community events,
and festivals throughout the northeast, including Caffe' Lena,
Clearwater's "Great Hudson Revival" Festival, Sonny Ochs'
"Helping Hands" Concert Series, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall,
and First Night events in Albany and Saratoga Springs, NY, to name just a
few.
Rich Bala - vocals, guitar, harmonica, mountain dulcimer
Rich has over 25 years' experience researching, collecting, and
performing traditional songs of the region. In addition to his work with
"The Boys", he also performs solo and with stroyteller Jonathan
Kruk as "The Hudson River Ramblers". He has made a total of 5
recordings to date, and has performed with Pete Seeger, Jay Ungar &
Molly Mason, Happy Traum, John Herald, and Joe Hickerson, among others.
Tom White - vocals, banjo, concertina, fiddle, hammered dulcimer,
mandolin, pennywhistle.
Tom is considered a "musician's musician", has won numerous
prizes at instrument competitions, has appeared on over 40 recordings, and
has played with Woods Tea Co., Pete Sutherland, Sandy & Caroline (AND
Dave and Robin) Paton. He also owns and operates Wizmak Studio, where The
Boys' recordings were made.
Rick Hill - vocals, bass, guitar, banjo
Rick is the newest Barefoot Boy, and in addition to providing a
rock-steady low end on standup bass, adds impeccable harmonies to the
Boys' sound. He has lots of experience performing both as a solo and in
groups all along the East Coast, and has organized many musical events and
concerts from Virginia to New York.
