Banjo Dan & Mid-nite Plowboys:

Vermont's own "Banjo Dan" Lindner (second from left) and his band will perform Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Chandler Music Hall in Randolph. For tickets call the box office at 728-6464. (Provided)

Traditional Bluegrass at Chandler

Known as one of the most creative acoustic bands in the Northeast, Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys, will present a concert of original and traditional bluegrass music at Randolph’s Chandler Music Hall Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The show will feature original songs from the band’s new CD, "Fire in the Sugar House," along with an entertaining variety of old and new country songs, rousing fiddle and banjo tunes, gospel quartets, and imaginative adaptations of songs.

Founded in 1972, the band has established a reputation for energy, fine musicianship, and showmanship. Working in the traditional bluegrass format of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and string bass, and featuring stirring vocal harmonies, the band draws on material from wide-ranging sources. Many of the band’s signature tunes are original songs that explore the themes of everyday life in rural America.

The Plowboys have covered a lot of ground in their long and winding career, retaining the immediacy, purpose and humor which has inspired them along the way. The rush of the music, the soulful harmonies and dazzling instrumentals underscored by a driving rhythmic core, and the visual whirl of on-stage energy as the players dart and dive toward the single microphone all work together to create a dynamic performance. Their relaxed, wry commentary has become their hallmark, drawing audience members and players together for an evening of easy musical intimacy and good times.

Their performing career has been paralleled by a recording career that has resulted in a dozen albums. Their first recording, "Snowfall," was released in 1974 and prompted a reviewer from the Virginia-based publication Bluegrass Unlimited to give his opinion that, "The South doesn’t have the corner on good bluegrass groups anymore. In New England…Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys can pick and sing with the best."

Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys began their career in 1972 when three young pickers got together in Vermont, part of the "back to the land" movement. Dan and Willy Lindner and Al Davis had played together and separately in various parts of the country over the previous several years, and decided to find out what a bluegrass band could do in this part of the country. As if in answer to their prayers, they landed a job at a small country restaurant, playing every Wednesday night for $20 and all the beef stew they could eat.

Since those early days, the Plowboys have become a top draw throughout the Northeast and have several overseas tours to their credit. Acoustic bass player Jon Henry Drake and fiddler Phil Bloch have joined the three founding members.

Tickets may be ordered by calling the Chandler box office at 728-6464 weekdays between 3-6 p.m., or by emailing tickets@chandler-arts.org.

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