Banjo Dan and the Mid-Nite Plowboys

Bookings and albums: Dan Lindner, 49 School Street, Vergennes, VT 05491; 802-877-2077. 
banjodan@pshift.com

2006 Newsletters
and schedule

October 1, 2006 Newsletter

Hi friends. Just a few quick items this time around.

First, a few details on the Sky Blue Boys' show at the Ripton (VT) Coffeehouse this coming Saturday, October 7. The evening kicks at 7:30 PM off with an "open mike" showcase for local talent. There are some fine musicians in these parts, and these Ripton open mikes can be pretty darn good. Willy and I will take the stage about an hour later. We'll be doing numbers from our new CD plus a lot of good new songs we're pretty excited about. The coffeehouse is right on Rt 125 in Ripton and believe me, you can't possibly miss it. Tix are just $7, and $3 for kids and seniors.

The following weekend marks the final 2006 concert for Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys, at the Franklin (NH) Opera House. It's been a great summer and the band -- featuring Phil Bloch on fiddle -- has never sounded better. Please join us in Franklin on October 14. The show starts at 7:30 and we'll be looking for you.

A couple of the Plowboys will be hibernating again this winter, but the Sky Blue Boys will be playing First Night Burlington, headlining a special program of traditional acoustic music at the College Street Congregational Church, a terrific venue where the Plowboys have entertained many a December 31. Come wish us a Happy New Year.

On the CD front, let me be the first to remind you it's time to begin your holiday shopping. You know where this is leading.....

Our two new releases are getting great response and we'd like to share these recordings with you. All you have to do is send us money. I'm talking about "Music in the Air" by The Sky Blue Boys, and "Mystery and Memories -- Banjo Dan's Songs of Vermont, Volume III." These two, along with the Plowboys' fine "Some Rust...Runs Good" and the band's retrospective "Like a River" CD, are all available for $17 a pop from Banjo Dan, 49 School Street, Vergennes, VT 05491. "The Catamount is Back," our second volume of original Vermont songs, from 1994, has now joined the ranks of re-issues. Like "Snowfall," "Green Mountain Skyline," and "I'll Take the Hills," the Cat is now available by mailorder only, for $16. I custom-burn these items to order, shipping them out in slim jewel cases with simple inserts. It's all high-quality digital, and the music sounds great. Order soon and often.

August 10, 2006 Newsletter

Hi friends.  First of all, my apologies to folks who have been waiting for their CD orders.  I've moved from the farm to "the nation's smallest city," and it's taken awhile for mail to catch up with me.  As of right now, if you're ordering CDs or seeking booking information, you can find me at 49 School Street, Vergennes, VT 05491. My new phone is 802-877-2077.  Same old email: banjodan@pshift.com. 

Now for a quick update on our performing schedule

Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys:

August 18-20 Mt Pearl Bluegrass Festival, St. John's Newfoundland.  Catch a plane, catch a ferry, catch an iceberg.  That's WAY up there, but they've got some great American and Canadian talent lined up, and it figures to be the highlight of our summer.

August 26: Otis Mountain Music Festival, Elizabethtown, NY.  This is an excellent 2-day festival (also running 8/25), well worth the drive from anywhere in the northeast.  Check out www.otismountain.com for more info.

Sept 16: Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival, Shelburne VT.  A nice family event; we'll play one set in the afternoon.

October 14: Franklin NH Opera House, 7:30 PM.  We hate to see the summer wind down, but we're looking forward to playing this fine old opera house. It might be our last 2006 concert before we go into winter hibernation, so please don't miss it if you can.

The Sky Blue Boys (Banjo Dan and Willy Lindner):

***First and foremost, we're playing tomorrow evening, August 11, at The Big Picture Theater on Carroll Road, off Vt. Rt 100 in Waitsfield, Vermont, as part of the Mad For Music Festival.  Our set kicks off the evening program at 8 PM.  Call 802-496-8994 for ticket info.  Sorry for the late notice -- this just came through.

October 7: Ripton (VT) Coffeehouse.  This is a terrific, intimate listening room.  More info from Beth at bdart@gmavt.net.

That's it for now.  On the recording front, we've had a terrific response to our two latest CDs (Banjo Dan's "Mystery and Memories" and the Sky Blue Boys' "Music in the Air").  You can always find the latest info on our CDs, and updated concert listings, at www.banjodan.com.  Thanks for supporting real live acoustic music.  We look forward to seeing you soon.  Banjo Dan

July 4, 2006 Newsletter

Happy Independence Day. Right now, as the last rocket flare fades, you're probably asking yourself, "How long has it been since the last new Banjo Dan CD came out?" The obvious answer -- the only answer -- is, "too long." So to relieve your pain and suffering we are hereby announcing the release of not one, but TWO new CDs! 

"Mystery and Memories" is Volume III in Banjo Dan's "Songs of Vermont" series. Like "I'll Take the Hills" and "The Catamount is Back!" this is a collection of true and fanciful stories from Vermont's rich history and folklore, along with a few songs celebrating some quintessential Vermont characters. For this new release we've put together a wonderful patchwork of sounds and styles, drawing on some of the area's finest musicians to supplement our usual bluegrass sound. How about a narration (over a musical bed) by beloved storyteller Willem Lange; a string quartet setting the tone on "The Witch of Lake Champlain;" a pair of Russian folk instruments accompanying a song about the Underground Railroad in Vermont; a couple Dixieland cats backing up a yodel song; an unaccompanied number with verses from Vermont tombstone inscriptions? I had a tremendous time working with these artists, and I think you'll love the results. 

And yes, The Sky Blue Boys, Banjo Dan and Willy Lindner, have finally released a studio album. "Music in the Air" is dedicated to all fans of real country music -- the way it used to be. Starting off with an original old-time radio theme song, the disc moves through several good old duets drawn from the great country acts of yesterday -- the Carter Family, the Louvin Brothers, the Blue Sky Boys and more. Before closing with a fine old Jimmie Rodgers lullaby Willy and Dan cover a couple old pop tunes and a contemporary song -- but it's all done in that good old-fashioned country style. Two voices, guitars, mandolin, banjo, autoharp, dobro and mouth harp. Just good solid lean and clean rural music -- ya can't beat it. 

We're ready to send your new CDs in the mail for just $17 per. (Yes, we finally had to bump it up a buck, to keep up with the USPO's rate hikes.) Send your check to Banjo Dan, 192 Bird Haven Lane, N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473, and be ready for some great listening. 

May 2006 Newsletter

Well, the bluegrass season is fast approaching, and the Plowboys are dusting off the cobwebs, working up some great new songs, and changing the oil in the old wagon. Looks like another summer with a lot of weddings and private events, but we'll be doing plenty of public concerts as well. We're looking forward to seeing YOU at least once this year. Let's get right to the calendar:

Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys:
June 17: Colonial Theatre, Bethlehem, NH, 8 PM. Tickets available in advance at Maia Papaya in Bethlehem and the Village Book Store in Littleton, or at the door. This is our kicker-offer, and we're planning to tear up the ol' theatre with some hi-octane bluegrass. Don't miss it if you can!
July 1: Stratton Mountain Bluegrass Festival. A great 3-day event at Stratton Mt. Village, VT, free to the public. We'll be doing two shows on Saturday, the opening day.
July 7: Bradford VT: Bandstand, 7 PM. Free concert and strawberry shortcake, right in the village.
July 8: Bennington Center for the Arts, 8 PM. A special show for our southern VT friends, in a wonderful concert hall.
July 14: Vinalhaven, ME, Smith Hokanson Memorial Hall at Vinalhaven School, 7:30. A beautiful new concert setting for our only downeast Maine concert of 2006.
July 21: Haskell Opera House, Derby Line VT, on the border with Stanstead, Quebec, 7:30. Our annual show at one of the finest of the old-time opera houses. If you're anywhere in northern VT or NH or southern Quebec, you've gotta make this show. Tickets through the Opera House or Woodknot Bookshop in Newport VT, or at the door.
July 29: Wells, ME, Harbor Park, 6:30.
August 18-20: Mount Pearl (Newfoundland) Bluegrass Festival. That's right -- Newfoundland! A fabulous place for your summer vacation, which you'll want to plan to coincide with our first Canadian festival in many years.
August 26: Otis Mountain Bluegrass Festival, in upstate NY. I'll give you more details later this summer. But mark it on your calendar now -- this is a really fine event.
The Sky Blue Boys (Banjo Dan and Willy Lindner):
June 2: Tinmouth VT, the Old Firehouse, 7:30. A great little room and a fine place to hear some good old-time country music. Lets pack the house again this year.
July 8 Westport NY, Westport Marina, 3-5 PM. A great little craft and music fair along Lake Champlain.
July 10: Holderness, NH, Curry Park, 6:30.
July 12: White River Jct, VT, Lyman Park, 6:30.
July 20: Strafford, VT, Summer Folk Concert Series, at the UU Church, 7:30.
August 8: Canaan, NH, 7 PM. I believe this is on the town green.

That's it for now; a few more summer shows are in the works, plus several for the fall. Remember, you can always get the latest info on shows, CDs and Banjo Dan trivia at our web site, www.banjodan.com.
See you soon. Banjo Dan

March 2006 Newsletter

From Banjo Dan Central, a big Howdy. My calendar claims spring will arrive in a few days. A big ol' flock of geese passed overhead yesterday, so I gotta believe it.

I've pretty much divided the winter between recording work (more on that in an upcoming message) and booking work. Happy to report that the band will be working all around New England as usual. Our regular spring Newsletter will carry a full list of public appearances. But right now I'd like each and every one of you to grab your calendar and mark June 17, the date Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys will launch the 2006 bluegrass season at the Colonial Theatre in scenic Bethlehem, New Hampshire. I'll give you the full scoop later; meanwhile, just plan on it!

Between now and then brother Willy and I -- The Sky Blue Boys -- will be doing several Vermont shows (well, one is in Quebec). This is pure old-time acoustic country music, much of it dating from the 1930s, '40s and '50s. Come check us out at any of the following:

• March 19: Dakin Farm Sugar House, on Route 7 in Ferrisbugh, 12:30-3:30 PM. A fun free party with sugar on snow and all sorts of other goodies.
• March 31: The Windham, on The Square, Bellows Falls, 7:30 PM. Tickets and info: 802-463-2229. Excellent food and drink, and a great listening room.
• April 1: Hardwick Town House, 7 PM. Fundraiser for Judevine Memorial Library. If you live in the northeast please be sure to catch the show and support this wonderful community resource.
• April 7: Church Street Cafe, Lennoxville, Quebec, 8 PM. Not too far across the border -- a great little coffeehouse.
• April 20: The Black Door, upstairs on Main Street, Montpelier, 8:30. The capital city's finest music room.
• May 5: Charlotte Coffee House, 7:30 PM. A cozy community setting across from the Post Office.
• June 2: The Old Firehouse, Tinmouth, 7:30 PM. Just a terrific space for a concert -- come on out and help us pack the house again this year.

Live music beats the tube, hands-down. See you soon.

-Banjo Dan .

January 2006 Newsletter

Greetings, friends, and best wishes for the New Year from Banjo Dan and all his Mid-nite Plowboys.

I've never used this newsletter to promote shows by other artists -- until now. In 2001 our band had the great fortune to travel to Petrozavodsk, in northwestern Russia, to participate in a wonderful international folk festival. There we shared the bill with an incredible ensemble from Tuva, a former Soviet province out near Mongolia -- the incomparable Huun Huur Tu. These four musicians are the world's foremost practitioners of "throat-singing," a form that enables them to sing multiple pitches simultaneously. They accompany their songs on horse-head fiddles and other exotic string and percussion instruments. It's unlike anything you've ever heard, and they are true masters of this haunting, ethereal music. Huun Huur Tu is currently on tour in the US, and will be appearing at the FlynnSpace in Burlington, VT this coming Monday, January 16 at 7 PM as part of the Events For Tom series. If you live anywhere nearby, I urge you to come out for an unforgettable musical experience. The group will be in New England for a few more days; their schedule may be found by visiting www.eyefortalent.com and clicking on Huun Huur Tu.

Now back to bluegrass. Bob "Never-Say-Die" Degree has started another Bluegrass Night in northwestern Vermont. You can hear good live bands at The Lincoln Inn in Essex Junction VT every Tuesday evening. Details from bkgaston@verizon.net.

Meanwhile don't forget the Sky Blue Boys (Banjo Dan and Willy Lindner) at the Great Falls Club in Middlebury, Vermont on January 21at 8:30. We'll also be doing a show at Burnham Hall in Lincoln, VT on Feb 5 (802-453-3175 for details). And we're tentatively set to play The Windham in Bellows Falls, VT on Feb 17 (check 802-463-2229 for info).

As for Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys, proud sponsors of this Newsletter, we're resting on our laurels 'til the spring, but our talented agent is lining up a great summer of personal appearances all around the northeast. Live right and stay tuned.

Banjo Dan

December 2005

Holiday greetings and best wishes for a peaceful 2006 filled with great LIVE music. After one of our busiest summers in years, some of the Plowboys are back to their day jobs while others are enjoying a long winter’s nap. But behind the scenes we’re plotting and planning for another year full of great music. We intend once again to be touring all around New England and New York; in fact, some concert dates are already set. Our spring Newsletter will provide a full listing of summer shows, along with other late-breaking news.