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Cutting edge bluegrass at Crossroads tonight |
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Thursday, 21 July 2005 |
by BRAD NORMAN
Editor-in-Chief
Diana and the Vintage Boys, a self-proclaimed “cutting edge” bluegrass
band, will play a free show tonight at Crossroads Coffeehouse.
The quintet of Diana Wilcox, Phil Halbedel, Caleb Jackson, Rick Ramseur and Melvin Turbyfill comprise the band.
Using an assortment of instruments, including banjo, mandolin, bass,
guitar, harmonica and saxophone, the band has steadily gained
popularity throughout the region.
The band got their start at Appalachian State University when they played a show at Legends on May 2, 2003.
Wilcox said it was High Country musician Becca Eggers-Gryder who introduced her to the four musicians she now plays with.
The band plays a variety of tunes, including “Fair and Tender Ladies,” “The Lucky One” and “Salt Creek.”
Although they play many bluegrass classics and instrumental songs, Diana and the Vintage Boys play original songs as well.
Two of their more recent original songs, both written by Wilcox, are
titled “Take Your Love and Walk Away” and “Roots and Love and Wings.”
Diana and the Vintage Boys have played at several private parties in
Boone this year in addition to playing at Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock,
Valle Crucis, Lenoir, and Banner Elk and at different cities in
Tennessee.
Wilcox, the lone female in the group, serves as the lead vocalist and also plays some guitar.
As she grew up in Blowing Rock, Wilcox found that she loved to sing, and has been doing so for most of her life.
Playing guitar is a relatively new experience as she just started three years ago.
Halbedel plays the banjo, and said he has been playing for “longer than
he cares to admit.” Halbedel played music with Ramseur and Turbyfill
for many years in various different groups before all three joined the
current group.
Jackson currently sings the harmony vocals and plays bass. He can also
play guitar and piano and will begin seeing the lead vocals for songs
in the near future.
Ramseur also sings and can play guitar, saxophone, harmonica and hand saw.
Turbyfill plays mandolin, and has 15 years of experience with the instrument.
The show begins at 8:00 p.m. and is free to attend.
Crossroads will have coffee and desserts available for purchase.
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