Write a commentThe Oswego Music Hall is proud to announce a concert again showcasing the talents of Atkinson Family Bluegrass. A family band rooted in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. They play a style all their own, an acoustic blend of Americana, bluegrass and folk music with a refreshing sound. They compose many of the songs they perform, which tell the stories of their lives in the northern mountains of the Adirondacks.
The Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band is about as real as it gets. They've taken their down-home style and packaged it into a powerful blend of sound and personality. Upfront vocals and sibling harmonies just ring out above their tight instrumentation and solid arrangements of original and traditional songs.
As songwriters Joe LaMay & Sherri Reese put it, “In a genre of sound-alike cookie-cutter bands, the Atkinson Family stands out like a diamond in the rough.”
The Band is led by the Patriarch and Matriarch of the Atkinson family, Dick and Shelene Atkinson. Dick leads the band with his syncopated banjo playing. You’ll also hear him on lead and harmony vocals. Dick was influenced by Flat and Scruggs, Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers. You may also hear him filling in on his Martin or one of his own hand built guitars.
Dick has written several of the songs the band performs and records .Their home studio is in Harrisville NY.
Shelene Atkinson plays Rhythm guitar and offers up enchanting lead and harmony vocals. She started playing guitar and singing after the children were grown. Many of her original songs are also on the Atkinson's recordings.
Adam Atkinson, an accomplished mandolin player will be driving the band with his own bluesy style which adds to the originality of the band’s music. As the first born and only son of Dick and Shelene, Adam was exposed to music at a young age, finding his roots with blues and country rock with a bluegrass twist.
Laura Atkinson fills in the bottom on standup bass. A Crane School of Music alumni who majored in voice, she is a strong vocalist with a style all her own. Her excellent timing keeps the band right in the pocket allowing their improvisation room to flow. Laura also plays piano and sings in a "big band" style band when not performing with the Atkinson’s.
Dave Bevins,a National Resonator guitar champion, fills out the band. Dave started at home with his family, The Chilson Hill Gang. He then joined Dan Tyminski in Green Mountain Bluegrass. Later, Dave appeared with the Lonesome River Band and The Country Gentlemen. He has appeared & recorded with John Cowan, Pat Flynn, Scott Vestal, Victor Krauss, Andrea Zohn, & Andy Leftwich.
Find more about the Family on the web @ http://www.atkinsonfamilymusic.com/
You can enjoy the toe-tapping music of Atkinson Family bluegrass at the all-volunteer family friendly Music Hall venue .The venue is the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake Street, Oswego. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Desserts, snacks, popcorn and beverages are available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://oswegomusichall.org/ or at the river’s end bookstore, 19 West Bridge Street in Oswego. Holders of tickets purchased before 1 pm on the day of the concert will have preferred seating. After 1 pm, seating will be general admission. Doors open at 7:00pm and ticket prices for this event are $16 if purchased in advance and $18 at the door. Children under 12 are half- price and those under 5 are free
The next National Showcase will be on Oct 8 featuring Aztec Two-Step. The popular duo continue to impress audiences with intelligent songwriting, dazzling acoustic lead guitar and soaring two-part harmonies. This is not a show to be missed so get your tickets early. You can visit their website at http://aztectwostep.com/
“Open Mic Fridays” return after the summer hiatus and will be held the Friday before all Saturday shows. Performers get a chance to showcase their talents on the National Stage with a world class sound system and the new, professional stage lighting. All ages are welcome, making it a popular place for local and regional talent to be heard. The entry fee is $2.00 to cover BMI and ASCAP fees. Local favorites Michael Judge and Juliet Forshaw will co-host the Sept 23, event. Signups start at 6:30 and the entertainment runs from 7-10 pm.
The popular Hook Series, returns for its third year. “The Hook” highlights the talents of three Regional Singer/Songwriters in an intimate round robin setting allowing the performers an opportunity to interact with the audience, the other artists and discuss their creative process. Colin Aberdeen, Amanda Rodgers and Austin MacRae will open the Fall Season.
The Music Hall has been run entirely by volunteers from its inception over 39 years ago. Volunteers can earn admission to shows through different tasks. Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. For more information call 315-342-1733 or access the Music Hall website: http://oswegomusichall.org/
