Events
We need volunteers to assist our members with such duties as traffic control, assisting with food service, and other assigned tasks.
Those that volunteer for assigned duties for a minimum of two hours will be recipients of a $50 all-day Meet House Bluegrass Festival ticket, even on the day of the event!!
To become a volunteer or to learn more, please call (603) 520-1300 and ask for David
14th Bluegrass Festival
All Proceeds Go to Historic Preservation Fund
Band Bio's
New England Bluegrass Band
The New England Bluegrass Band has been a regional institution for years, playing traditional bluegrass with hot picking and powerful vocals. Co-founded by Cecil Ables, the band has featured many of the top musicians in the area at one time or another. The current lineup includes Cecil Abels (vocals, guitar), Jon Ross (vocals, bass), Old Time Dave Talmage (vocals, fiddle), and Lonesome Dave Kiphuth (banjo, vocals).
https://www.facebook.com/NEBgB/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_ywyvLABTw
Ruta Beggars
Appealing to traditional and progressive acoustic music fans alike, The Ruta Beggars combine bluegrass and early swing to create a timeless act filled with intricate vocal harmonies, fiery instrumentals, and plenty of fun. They have been praised for their creative yet tasteful arrangements and charming performances. Since 2018 they have brought the joy of their live show to audiences across the US and Canada from festival stages to storied folk listening rooms and as support for legacy acts Lyle Lovett and Ricky Skaggs. The Ruta Beggars are 2019 Thomas Point band competition winners, 2023 IBMA official showcasing artists, Freshgrass Foundation commissioned composers, Freshgrass Award finalists, and Skyline Records artists.
Best-of-friends since their inception, The Ruta Beggars are Micah Nicol (guitar), Trevin Nelson (banjo), Noah Harrington (bass), Sam Stage (fiddle), and Jean-Baptiste Cardineau (mandolin), who met through studying in Berklee College of Music's American Roots Program.
Erica Brown & the Bluegrass Connection
Erica Brown and The Bluegrass Connection is a five-piece band featuring some of the finest musicians in New England. The band features award-winning fiddler and singer Erica Brown, Matt Shipman on mandolin, Lincoln Meyers on guitar, Eli Gilbert on banjo, and Kris Day on bass. A fun and energetic band, they incorporate a unique and diverse blend of original and traditional music from their Bluegrass, Folk, and Country influences.
As a band of renowned and respected musicians in their own right, together they form a bluegrass powerhouse of vocal and instrumental expertise that has delighted audiences all over the Northeast and Canada. ¨
Their latest album, Blue Pine Moon, has been well-received by fans, critics, and musicians alike. The album contains thoughtful, original songs from both Shipman and Brown and other carefully chosen songs from the Bluegrass tradition. Grammy-award-winning bluegrass songwriter Rick Lang says it is a must-have for any lover of good Bluegrass music!
Some 2022 performance highlights include performing at the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival and a collaboration with The Bangor Symphony Orchestra in which they performed 3 of their original songs with the Orchestra at the Kingfield Pops.
"Real and honest music" - The Gibson Brothers
"a stellar band featuring some of the finest pickers you could hope to find" - Joe K. Walsh
https://ericabrownonline.com/bands/
https://www.facebook.com/EBandtheBC/videos/2854118964875612
Ruth and Ben Stringband
The Ruth and Ben String Band plays hard-driving, electrifying, old-time Appalachian string band music that will uplift your spirits and get the crowd moving! Ruth Rappaport (guitar) and Ben Wetherbee (fiddle) are mother and son and are joined by Joel Wennerstrom on banjo and Larry Unger on upright bass. They're known for their tight vocal harmonies and powerful, creative fiddling.
https://www.instagram.com/the_ruth_and_ben_string_band/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INwu1kE7OVE
Dale and Darcy Trio
The Dale and Darcy Band is an Americana, Celtic, Bluegrass, and Roots band. Dale Neil Rossi started out playing together fifteen years ago as a group of friends and has since developed into a cohesive, tight, and lively band that plays all over Vermont and New England. As a trio and quartet, they play twin fiddles, tenor banjo, mandolin, penny whistles, bass, and guitar. You may have seen them play at The Alchemist, Piecassos, The Trapp Family Brewery, Top Notch, the Cliff House, Nectars, Rira's, The Farmhouse, Foam, The Inn at Essex, North Hero House, weddings, farmer's markets, and other music hot spots!
They play a mix of waltzes, Aires, jigs, reels, and bluegrass tunes, both instrumental and with Dale singing vocals. Over the past three years, they have developed more of an Americana/Roots sound and are always adding new tunes to our lineup. Dale sings originals and a wide range of covers (Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, etc.)