‘Braintree’ Debuts 4^th CD

Local musicians Todd Keenhold (left) and ?Alan Stewart have been playing together for a decade as "Braintree." (Herald photo / Robert Eddy)

Known to local music lovers as "Braintree," musicians Alan Stewart of Randolph Center and Todd Keenhold of Braintree have just released their fourth CD, "Wintertidings." The two have been writing, recording and performing under the name "Braintree" since 1993, developing quite a following along the way as they have entertained at venues around New England.

No less a music luminary that legendary Nashville fiddler Vassar Clements, praised the duo by noting, "Braintree has a true identity of its own. It’s different, and to me, that’s what counts.""

Keenhold, a Phys. Ed. teacher at Randolph Elementary School, and Stewart, a Science teacher at Randolph Union High School, actually began performing together in 1992, when they helped several RUHS students with a senior project. After spending many Wednesday nights playing together, the group played for the RUHS Prom that spring, with Keenhold’s wife, Beth, singing backup. When the students graduated, the teachers decided to team up and play professionally.

Their first gig as "Braintree" was at the Bethel Forward Festival. The name came about because Todd lives in the town of Braintree. The picturesque tree featured on each of the duo’s CD covers grows in the Keenhold back yard and is now their copyrighted logo.

When Beth found a four-track recorder at a tag sale, the duo began writing and recording together. Their first CD, the self-titled "Braintree," made its debut in 1997, offering original music in a variety of styles. To date, it’s sold around 1,000 copies.

Their next recording venture, "Amid the Winter Snow" (1999) featured instrumental holiday music, and has become their most popular release.

"The Point FM radio station in Montpelier plays it in its entirety every Christmas Eve from 11 p.m. ’til midnight," Beth noted proudly. "It’s really neat to hear it on the radio. It’s sold more than 4,000 copies so far and keeps on selling."

The Braintree CD catalogue also includes "Carefree" (2001) and the brand-new "Wintertidings."

Noting that the duo does all their recording at Alan’s house in Randolph Center, Todd added proudly, "We’re independent to the hilt. We do all our own recording and producing, design the graphics, etc. Our motto is ‘independent music from the Green Mountains of Vermont.’" "

The pair feel they’ve found their ‘niche’ performing at ‘listening’ type venues. They play regularly at the Woodstock Inn’s Richardson’s Tavern and always perform at the University Mall in Burlington over the holidays. They’ve also appeared at the Vermont Country Store in Weston, the Shelburne Museum and the VINS Silent Auction; and last weekend were at the Fine Arts and Crafts Show at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H.

About a year ago, Beth began selling "Braintree" CD’s at wholesale shows and high-end juried craft shows, and was thrilled with the results.

"CD sales just took off—we’ve sold 7,000 of them!" she reported. The booth always has a listening station so folks can hear the music, and sometimes the duo plays live.

Their CDs are also available at about 150 stores around New England, including local outlets: Cover to Cover Books, Our Place, Ben Franklin, Rinker’s and the Randolph Music Shop, as well as at the Keeping Room in Bethel, Eaton’s Sugar House in Royalton, Barrister’s Book Store in South Royalton and the Barnard Country Store. They can also be found at their Internet web site: www.musicbybraintree.com.

By Martha Slater