Falltown String Band

Music In The American Tradition

Box 436
Bernardston, MA 01337

Phone: 413-648-9034

Send an email

The Falltown String Band is now in its twenty-first consecutive year of existence. It is a rather loose network of community-based and community-minded musicians, none of whom was ever foolish enough to give up their day job to play music full time. 

Our repertoire borrows from several traditions, all of them unique to North America: New England country dance; Quebecois; Celtic-American; Old-time; Appalachian; Gospel; New Orleans Jazz; and Blues. Its technical name is American Roots music, but we try not to be technical. We are primarily a string band, but had enough good sense to realize that Sue Shedd and her flute were an invaluable addition. We now play at the only surviving Eastern singing-call square dance series in Western Massachusetts, second Saturdays of the month at the Goshen, MA town hall.

Thoreau once said he had traveled much in Concord, and we can say we’ve traveled much in Franklin County. We’ve played Grange Halls, we’ve played summer festivals; we’ve played on the Quinnetucket II and the Belle of Brattleboro; we’ve played for historical societies; alumni parties; anniversaries; weddings, and, yes, funerals.* We work with school kids; we play at church suppers; we play at nursing homes; we play at family reunions; we play at church services; and, often, we sit in the kitchen and play for the fun of it.

*Ask about our pre-paid layaway plan.  

Who Are These Guys, Anyway?

The band consists of:
STEVE ALVES:  Acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals
JACK ARENSMEYER:  Acoustic guitar, mandolin, vocals.
JASON BURBANK:  Keyboard, fiddle, vocals
JACK NELSON:  Washtub bass
ED PHELPS:  Fiddle, tenor banjo, vocals
MARVIN SHEDD:  Rhythm guitar
SUE SHEDD:  flute

We Play Regularly At:

•    Square Dance, Second Saturdays, Goshen, MA
•    United Church of Bernardston, Roast Beef Suppers, Second Saturdays, Bernardston, MA
•    Stillwaters Restaurant, Charlemont, MA, first Fridays

We’re Especially Good At:

•    Outdoor barbecues
•    Family reunions
•    Community dances
•    Anniversaries
•    Birthdays
•    Alumni Parties
•    Church suppers
•    Weddings
•    Village fairs
•    Historical societies
•    Church programs
•    Arts festivals
•    School programs

PROGRAM #1   (1 hour)

American Country Music in the Great Depression

This program combines the band’s rendition of music of the era and readings by band members of transcripts of oral histories recorded by Bernardston MA citizens who had matured when the Depression was at its most severe.

You’ll hear music. You may hear Jack Arensmeyer’s haunting version of Nodding Wild Roses, a sentimental song his mother sang when he was young; you may hear Stay On the Farm, a song found in a Grange Song Book by the Arm and Hammer String Band of Ferrisburg, VT; you may hear Ed call the dance Morning Star, while the band plays Rakes of Mallow, the way it was once done at  kitchen jigs in Leyden, MA; you may hear Steve Alves’s version of Stephen Foster’s Hard Times Come Again No More. 

And you’ll hear the voices of hard times and grit. You’d hear Joseph Cummings tell you how he made his first automobile with parts scavenged from the dump; you’ll hear Rena Deane tell you how to deal with a bushel of fresh raspberries; you’ll hear John Nebelski sum it all up: Hard work is something you’re born with. 

PROGRAM #2 (2 – 4 hours)

An Evening of Square Dance

The band, working with callers Rob Livingston and Bill Wiles, can provide an evening of Eastern singing-call square dance suitable for all levels of experience. 

Our emphasis on these occasions is on community and participation rather than expertise.  What’s important is that everybody has fun. No experience is necessary, though experienced dancers have fun, too.

Singing-call square dance in our region’s contribution to American folk music.

PROGRAM # 3 (1 hour)

The Roots of American Music

Come along with us while the band follows the stream of American music from its Celtic and Black beginnings until the two merge into a river of music uniquely American. Get your heart strings tugged by the Tin Pan Alley tunes that were part of this; hear authentic Quebecois fiddle tunes; hear an Irish planxty written by a blind fiddler four hundred years ago.. (Admit it: you’ve never heard of a planxty!)   Listen as ragtime, jazz and the blues emerge from the obscurity of juke joints and prisons and join the mainstream of American music.   

Hear Jason, Marvin, and Sue on Rights of Man; hear Steve’s haunting version of Careless Love;  hear Jack deliver Honky-Tonk Blues; hear the band give you Sugar Blues right from New Orleans; sing along to a ragtime piece about a vegetarian named Henry Jones.  

PROGRAM # 4 (1 hour)

The Civil War Letters of Timothy B. Messer

In this program band members read excerpts from the Civil War letters of Timothy B. Messer of Ludlow, VT to his wife Susan. Messer served in the 10th Vermont Volunteers with the Army of the Potomac. The letters span the years from his induction and early training under General McClellan to his final battle at Petersburg, VA under General Grant. It is a remarkably detailed portrait of soldiering and camp life during that historical time.

As interesting as Messer’s letters are the replies of his wife, Susan, full of gossip about the neighborhood dances, and all in an unsophisticated Vermont vernacular. As she gradually assumes the household duties during his absence, her personal growth becomes apparent in the letters.

Interspersed with the readings is music from the Civil War era. Included are General Custer’s marching song, Lincoln’s campaign song, and a couple of George Root’s heart-tugging sentimental war songs.  When did you last hear Rally Round the Flag?
                                               

Posting # 2277 Expires: September 6, 2010