Well, neighbors, the first day of spring is just around the corner, and this year Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys are not about to wait for summer to crank up the bluegrass machine.  In fact, we’ve got some really good spring concerts coming up here in the Green Mountain State.  With several more shows awaiting confirmation, here’s what we’ve scheduled so far:

April 12: Vermont Academy, Saxtons River, VT, 7:30 PM.  The Plowboys kick off the season and launch a slew of great new songs at VA’s Horowitz Hall on Pleasant Street. Tickets are available at the door for $12, but just $10 in advance from Brattleboro Books, Village Square Booksellers in Bellows Falls, and Vermont Academy.

April 25: Vergennes Opera House, Vergennes, VT, 7:30 PM.  A beautiful historic opera house on Main Street is the setting for Banjo Dan’s historic return to his home community of recent years.  Tickets $15 for adults and $10 for kids under 18 in advance from Classic Stitching on Main Street, Vergennes or at the door.  www.vergennesoperahouse.org

May 3: Chandler Music Hall, Randolph, VT, 7:00 PM.  We’re really excited to get back to the Chandler after many years, where our concert will cap off the Fiddlehead Festival, a day-long celebration of agriculture and the Arts.  All tickets just $10.  www.fiddleheadfestival.com and www.chandler-arts.org

June 18: Woodstock, VT: 6 PM, free concert as part of a community picnic and farmers market.  .

July 9: Bethel, VT, community bandstand, 7 PM.  Free to the public.

July 19: Haskell Opera House, Derby Line, VT and Stanstead, Quebec.  Our annual concert at one of New England’s most wonderful venues, straddling the US-Canada border.  Fabulous room, terrific acoustics.  All tickets $16, US or Canadian, in advance (not a bad idea, as we always pack the house) at Wood Knot Bookshop in Newport, or at the door.  www.haskellopera.org

August 9 and 10: Lake Champlain Bluegrass Festival, Alburgh, VT.  One of the best bluegrass festivals in New England, headlined this year by none other than Del McCoury.  If you get to one festival this summer, make it Lake Champlain.  www.lakechamplainmusic.com

August 16: The Junction General Store and Entertainment Park, Rte 11, Brownville, ME, 7 PM.  Our concert is part of a weekend community celebration including Civil War reenactments, parades, kayak trips and music.  Details will be posted soon at www.thejunctiongeneral.com.

August 31: Bromley Mountain, Vermont.  1-4 PM PM.  Three hours of free music on the deck as part of the resort’s family fun day.  www.bromley.com

Sept. 28: Eastern States Exposition, Springfield, MA.  Rides, fairfood, parades and music.  It’s The Big E, folks.  We’ll do a few sets on the balcony of the Vermont Pavilion, which features free Ben and Jerry’s, cider donuts and other VT fare. www.thebige.com

There’s be more, folks.  Meanwhile, The Sky Blue Boys are going to be pretty busy too.  Vermont’s answer to the perennial Trivial Pursuit stumper (what country-music duo plays more styles on more instruments more often than not, more or less?) will appear at the following:

March 22 and 30: Dakin Farm, Ferrisburgh, VT, noon to 3 PM.  Free sugar on snow and other goodies plus us.

April 18: UU Fellowship Meetinghouse, Bennington, VT, 8 PM.  A welcoming coffeehouse setting at 108 School Street.  $14 at the door. More info: 802-440-9816, or info@uubennington.org. www.uubennington.org

May 14: Crandall Public Library, Glens Falls, NY 7 PM, at their temporary location, 221 Glen Street

June 6: Old Firehouse, Tinmouth, VT, 7:30 PM.  A wonderful little concert space.  $8 at the door.

June 19: Queechee, VT, 6:30 PM, free concert on the green.

August 12: Stowe, VT, 6:30 PM, free concert at the gazebo.

August 27: North Hampton, NH, 5:50 PM, free concert at the bandstand.

October 3: Black Cat Care, Lennoxville, Quebec

November 8: Community Center, Litchfield, CT, 7 PM

That’ll do it for now, folks.  We’ll be in touch later with more details and more gigs.  Meanwhile we invite you to check www.banjodan.com for info on our CDs, and as always we thank you for supporting real live music.  See you soon – Banjo Dan