Hello to all of you fans and those of you who someday will be fans of Bluegrass music in the greater Buffalo area.
by Mark Panfil
July and August opened up some live Bluegrass in our area and out in the country too.
Bluegrass lunches at the Sportsmen’s Tavern began with one in July and one in August.
The crowds were following the rules of our state and county with appropriate social distancing and masks worn while not at their chosen tables. The food was great and the music was fun as it always is on these afternoons.
In September, the Buffalo Bluegrass All Stars resume the first and third Thursday of the month schedule at the Sportsmen’s Tavern.
Sally Schaefer
There are no tickets or reservations required. The lunches are excellent. Sally Schaefer joins Doug Yeomans, Mark Panfil and Rich Schaefer as their guest fiddler in September.
The live Bluegrass jam scene is gradually returning to Western New York. The Bennington Lanes Bluegrass jams and open stage in Bennington, N.Y., returns on the second Sundays of the month, beginning on Sept. 13 from 2 to 7 p.m. All New York State Covid rules apply. Bring a mask and an appetite. I’ll update the BuffaloBluegrass.com website and facebook page with up to date information.
Steve Gulley
I have sad news of the passing of a very talented bluegrass singer and guitar player who I have enjoyed for years and recently taught with. Steve Gulley was an amazing singer in the George Jones tradition, but firmly anchored in Bluegrass and friend to all who met him. He died on Aug. 18 after a short battle with cancer. Please look him up as a lead singer with the Mountain Heart, Dale Ann Bradley Band, Grasstowne or New Pinnacle Band. Listen to “Not Fade Away” and “Patchin’ It Up” by Steve with Grasstowne.
If you want to keep up or learn with one of the best teacher/players out there, look up Tyler Grant Music on Facebook. He runs three different jams for you to play along with every Monday night, slow, medium and fast jams. He inspires and teaches the beginners and challenges the more advanced in the latter two jams. It’s free, but tips are accepted too.
Please keep checking the calendar at www.BuffaloBluegrass.com for updates on live Bluegrass. Even Facebook can’t be as up to date as this calendar.
Stay safe and please support live music, even if it’s live on the internet.
Keep on pickin’
Mark
