The
String Dusters
American Acoustic Music
The String Dusters draw inspiration from the deep well of American music - the blues of Jimmie Rodgers, the bluegrass of Bill Monroe, the folk songs of the Carter Family, the hillbilly boogie of the Delmore Brothers, and the early honky-tonk sounds of Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams. Add plenty of old-time fiddle tunes, a few cowboy songs, and some new, original tunes by band members and friends, and the result is a sound that is familiar, yet uniquely their own. The String Dusters play timeless classics as well as little-known songs rescued from obscurity, and their music is popular with all age groups from children to senior citizens. Formed in 1993, they are all veteran musicians, with more than a century of performing experience among the members. They enjoy playing music together, and that enthusiasm shows every time they are in front of an audience.
They have entertained audiences in upstate New York and neighboring New England at events such as First Night Saratoga (1998-2002, 2005, 2007), The Speculator Fall Festival (2003-2005), The Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival (2006-2007), The Chilson Bluegrass Festival (2004-2006), The Schenectady Stockade Walkabout (2003-2007), the Waterford Tugboat Roundup (2005-2009), the Cohoes Canal Park Concert Series (1996-2007, 2009), the Schenectady Kids’ Arts Festival (2001-2009), Music on the Green in Wells (2002, 2004, 2006), the Schoharie River Center (2002, 2005), the Altamont Fair (1997-2003, 2005-2007), the Schaghticoke Fair (2000, 2005), First Night Fulton County (2006), The Lake Luzerne Concert Series (2007-2009), and the ABL Bluegrass Roundup (1994-2007, 2009). They have performed at concert series in Waterford, Rensselaer, Voorheesville, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Gloversville, Glens Falls, Fish House, Scotia, and Palmer, MA. They have also appeared at the Chandler Arts Center in VT, the Schenectady Museum, the Waterford Museum, the Chilson Bluegrass Festival, the Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival, the Albany Bicentennial Grand Ball, First Night Albany, and dozens of small clubs and coffeehouses, including Café Lena in Saratoga, Monaco's in Ballston Spa, the Back Door Café in Glens Falls, and Borders and Barnes & Noble Books and the Mother Earth Café in Albany.
The String Dusters are often asked back wherever they play. They played a regular monthly engagement at the Ambition Coffeehouse & Eatery in Schenectady for more than six years, and monthly at the Moon & River Café since it opened in 2004. During the summer they have appeared regularly at the View at Indian Kettles in Hague, the Knox Country Store, and the Eagle Mills Fun Park in Broadalbin. They have appeared on radio and television, filmed a short segment for the "I Love New York" campaign, and have received nominations as "Bluegrass Band of the Year" from the Northeast CMA.
The String Dusters are: Bill Healy, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and dobro; Neil Yetwin, guitar; Barry Weinstein, fiddle; and Fred Woodward, acoustic and electric bass.
Booking: We are available for public and private events of all types. Please contact us at 518/495-1067 or 518/399-3675, or by e-mail at stringdusters1@aol.com.
CD MVSD-3: String Dusters at
the County Fair. $10.00
Upcoming Shows in 2010:
Tuesday, September 7 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 11 - Thurman Fiddlers Jamboree, Thurman, NY. 11:00 am - Noon
Saturday, September 11 - Waterford Tugboat Roundup. Canal Park, Waterford. 3:00-6:00 pm
Saturday, September 25 - Schenectady Stockade Walkabout. Schenectady Stockade (near the Indian statue). 11:30-1:30 pm
2010 Schedule:
Tuesday, January 5 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Tuesday, February 2 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Tuesday, March 2 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Tuesday, April 6 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Sunday, April 11 - Glenville Senior Center, Worden Road, Glenville. 2:00 pm
Tuesday, May 4 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Tuesday, June 1 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Friday, June 4 - ABL Roundup. McConchie's Campground, Galway. TBA
Saturday, June 5 - Schenectady Kids' Arts Festival. State & Jay Sts., Schdy. 12:30 pm
Tuesday, July 6 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 17 - Wells Town Pavilion, Wells, NY. 4:00 pm
Tuesday, August 3 - Moon & River Cafe. 115 S. Ferry St., Schdy. 8:00 pm
More to Come! It's never too early or too late to contact us for an engagement. We would love to play at your public or private event. stringdusters1@aol.com
Meet the String Dusters:
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Bill Healy - banjo, mandolin, guitar, dobro: Bill is the last original member of the String Dusters. He got his first guitar at the age of twelve, and performed for the first time at a "hootenanny" (it was the 1960s) barely a year later. Inspired by the folksong revival of the period, the closest thing he could find on the radio was what he heard on the country music stations. From the current music it was only a short step back to the early years as he sought out recordings of the early performers for inspiration. While attending college he ran a coffeehouse, and promoted folk festivals and concerts while playing music alone and in various groups. After a break from performing in the 1980s, he made his return to the stage with the String Dusters. Fascinated by all kinds of stringed instruments, he has tried to play most of them, and has built or rebuilt many of those in his collection. Every now and then you might also see him sitting in with other local country and bluegrass bands, including the Lockhart Mountain Boys, Lynn's Bluegrass Angels, Burdo's Space, and Special Creek.
Neil Yetwin - guitar: Neil has put in more than a decade as a member of the band, bring a solid and powerful rhythm guitar style, a smooth singing voice, and a wide-ranging song repertoire to the group. After playing in rock bands and performing as a solo folk singer, a chance late-night encounter with a Jimmie Rodgers song on the radio changed his life. He is not only a fan of the father of country music, but also of western singers like Gene Autry and the Sons of the Pioneers. His repertoire of songs from the 60s and 70s brought some "new" songs to the group, but he sings some of our oldest ones as well.
Barry Weinstein - fiddle: Barry has played the violin since childhood, and his years of experience are evident whether he is playing a hot fiddle tune or hard-driving bluegrass. Since he began to concentrate on fiddle music in the mid-1990s (fueled by a visit to Mark O'Connor's Fiddle camp) he has impressed audiences with his smooth bowing and superb tone. With more formal training than all the other band members combined, he is at home in many musical settings from classical to modern country music. He has also played with modern country groups the North 40 Band and the Back 40 Band, but many listeners feel he is at his best playing the acoustic music of the String Dusters.
Fred Woodward - bass: Fred joined the String Dusters a couple years ago. A veteran of the local music scene, his talents have enhanced several bands over the past couple decades, including Dooley and Blue Moon. He is also a past president of the Adirondack Bluegrass League. Since joining the band, he has added a third singing voice to the band, and we have discovered his previously overlooked talents as a songwriter. His abilities on stage and behind the scenes with sound and recording have added a new dimension to the String Dusters. Fred also plays bass in the Frank Wakefield Band.
Comments & Reviews:
6/7/2010:
"Thank You for performing -- longest running gig in the Kids Arts Festival. It is always good to hear you all play. Karen " (Karen Johnson, Schenectady Kids Arts Festival)
6/9/2009:
"Thank you all for performing. You are a tradition as long as I can stand to do this. I love it." - Karen Johnson, Schenectady Kids Arts Festival
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July, 2005 letter from June Jenkins in central New York:
"Dear Bill,
Just wanted to say that your band is the most enjoyable to listen to that we have heard in the past several years. To have two different (but very pleasant voiced) singers, a fantastic fiddle player & a good bass man all in one group is a rare, wonderful sounding combination!! Sometimes a bass player seems to be overlooked - but what a difference whether he is there or not. All in all a great sounding band."
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From the December 2005 ABL Newsletter:
The String Dusters Open the Show
by Deb Smith"...They were well practiced when they played their one hour set at the Parting Glass for the ABL on November 20th. (I believe Bill said it was their 62nd show of 2005!) ....
They obviously love to play their music, and their years together have resulted in a relaxed stage presence and smooth performance. Their skillful use of the single mic makes their show visually interesting, and produces a sound that is pleasant to listen to technically. I really enjoy their selection of songs.
There are several aspects of String Duster music that place them in my "favorites" list. One of their specialties is those cowboy songs that they do so well. At this particular show, we were treated to Neil’s "Colorado Trail." An excellent fiddler is reason enough to search out a band. We heard plenty of Barry’s fiddle at this show. As well as his show pieces, "Listen to the Mockingbird" and "Orange Blossom Special, "we got to hear a couple of traditional pieces, "Whiskey Before Breakfast" and "Ragtime Annie." The highlight fiddle tune for me was "Hell Among the Yearlings." I’ll be sure to request that the next time I hear them. The ultimate reason that I enjoy this band is that I am a big fan of Bill’s voice - especially on those old Jimmie Rodgers tunes like "California Blues." Put it all together, and you’ve got a group I continue to enjoy listening to, again and again...."
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