DRY BRANCH FIRE SQUAD
CAPTURING THE SOUL OF AMERICAN MUSIC
http://www.drybranchfiresquad.com/
Dry Branch Fire Squad has been a staple in the traditional bluegrass world for over 45 years now, with singer/songwriter/instrumentalist/comedian Ron Thomason leading the way. As the only band to have played at every single Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, it's clear to see why Dry Branch performs annually at many of the nation’s premier festivals; such as, Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass, Strawberry Park, and Festival of the Bluegrass as well as the two national events that they host: Grey Fox and High Mountain Hay Fever.
Dry Branch Fire Squad, the modern progenitors of “aggressively traditional mountain music” provides thoughtful harmony lines that give expression to the soulfulness and meaning of bluegrass and old-time music. The band’s comprehensive knowledge of the roots of what’s been referred to as “music from the true vine” and its rather contemporary approach to bringing those roots to life with Ron’s social commentary, catchy lyrics and song choices from the oldest traditions makes DBFS one of the most entertaining bands in bluegrass.
Ron Thomason’s professional music career started when he was just 13, and he has collaborated with the likes of The Clinch Mountain Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley. He started Dry Branch Fire Squad in 1976 and is known to enjoy music-making more now than ever. All the band members are multi-instrumentalists, and they freely switch instruments and vocal parts as needed. Brian Aldridge, Tom Boyd, Jeff Byrd as well as Ron are all products of the Appalachians where they learned their love for both Gospel and secular music, their respect for hard work, and their drive to share those ethics with others.
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upcoming appearances
| Jun 25 | Sat | Flatrock Bluegrass Jamboree | Marion, WI | |
| Jun 26 | Sun | Szold Hall at Old Town School of Folk Music | Chicago, IL | |
| Jul 7-10 | Thurs-Sun | High Mountain Hay Fever Festival | Westcliffe, CO | |
| Jul 14-17 | Thurs-Sun | Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival | Oak Hill, NY | |
| Aug 18 | Thurs | 42nd Annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival | Marion, NC | |
| Aug 21 | Sun | United Methodist Church Youth Ministry | Woodbine, MD | |
| Aug 20-21 | Sat-Sun | Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival | Gettysburg, PA | |
| Sept 3-4 | Sat-Sun | Tri-State Bluegrass Festival | Kendallville, IN | |
| Sept 30-Oct 2 | Fri-Sun | Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival | San Francisco, CA | |
The Scuttlebutt
“Ron Thomason is a National Treasure.”
“It’s a matter of receptiveness, of openness to a tradition...(they) show sensitivity and respect for the people who “made” this music...(The music) is beautiful but there is another side to this band that must be experienced in the flesh: humor...I’ve seen full barrooms grow so quiet I could hear the soda fizz in my glass. And I’ve seen audiences so convulsed with laughter that minutes had to pass before the show could go on.”
“Simply put, this is the best live band playing today...each time I was moved not only to laughter, but tears and joy as well. Every time.”
“Resonating throughout, is Ron Thomason’s passionate, moaning, cracking voice, old-time and authentic yet unfailingly musical. The man’s a national treasure, for his brilliant on-stage humor, his abiding commitment to taking his intelligence ever deeper into the sources and meaning of the music, and the intensity of his singing. He has an unerring sensibility for what brought many of us to country and bluegrass music.”
“For (almost 40) years Dry Branch Fire Squad has been one of bluegrass music’s most popular bands, renowned for its spry mix of front-porch standards, modern ballads, and the old-time sounds from which bluegrass first sprang. The (quartet) is positively adored for its droll, scampy stage shows, fueled by Ron Thomason’s cornpone-and-hard-cider wit. On their irresistible new Rounder concert CD, Live at the Newburyport Firehouse...his laconic monologues unfurl like long, laze serpents: When they strike, it’s with such suddenness and accuracy that they almost leave you too breathless to laugh. Almost. ”
“Rarely does old-time music sound so new and powerful.”