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Our Story
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TrueGrass, while honoring the familiar names in Bluegrass music, takes special pride in presenting the more obscure songs of often ignored artists in Bluegrass and Classic Country music history. Most of what the band performs may seem like new material to some, yet nostalgic for the more versed fans of the genre. Original tunes will also be rendered in each program. Their presentation is loose enough to entertain both the audience and themselves! Yet there's no mistaking each band members devotion and respect for the Bluegrass Music. They're willing to work hard and endure all of life's challenges so common in this business we love. As a whole, the band strives to offer as complete a program as possible for everyone involved be it the audience member, association volunteer, or venue promoter. TrueGrass is not about the individual. It's more about a good time, with great people, and being responsible purveyors of the Bluegrass Music genre. Chance or Fate? The formation of TrueGrass literally happened overnight. Connecticut Bluegrass Music Association (CTBMA) president Kim Cyr brought these folks together for one of the CTBMA's "Bluegrass In The Schools" educational programs in late October 2004 in Woodstock, CT. The usual practice is for Kim to invite any of a half dozen or more musicians to participate in each program. This particular night only Nick Novia, Joe DeLillo, Peggy Harvey and Kevin Lynch could make it for this presentation of Bluegrass history and music [Danny Menzone was added to the mix the following week -- and seemed a natural first choice when the band considered their need for a banjo player.] They have known each other for years, some even played in an occasional jam with one another, but somehow never managed to perform in this configuration. It was 'Bluegrass Magic' for them that night. What normally is a sixty-minute presentation wound up being a two-hour mini-concert for the attendees that evening, while the "band" answered additional questions and song requests long after the formal program had ended. It felt so natural and exciting that they considered
trying it again the following week at a small local eatery...far
too small as it turned out! The venue's capacity was 110 and some
150+ tried to get in to see this group of veteran players perform.
Unfortunately the second gig attracted even more people and many good
friends were turned away. The end result is that these veteran musicians
are having a load of fun on-stage and off, and feeling good about
their music. While not exactly certain why there was so much early
excitement surrounding this group -- both from the music audience
and band members' perspectives -- all five performers agree that it
was too much fun and musically fulfilling not to give TrueGrass
a 'go' on the Bluegrass circuit. from Nick, Joe, Kevin, Peggy and Danny... We wish to thank all the people we have come to know during our many years on the music trail. For some of us almost thirty years have passed since first hitting a stage in front of the Bluegrass crowds. We've made many friends, and lost some good friends, along the way. Some were extremely dedicated musicians and some were extremely dedictaed fans. Some were both. A few have been well known performers and pioneers. Many more were merely great musicians and influential people in each of our lives behind the scenes. Yet, in their own way, every bit as devoted and important to the music as anyone. We'll remember these old friends as we move ahead and look forward to visiting with all the good Bluegrass folks we meet in our path. We all hope to continue making this great American music for many years to come. |
