Band News Archive
Here's what's been happening to Loose Gravel!
8/14/11 - Hazzard Homecoming Rocks!
Loose Gravel played the 2011 Hazzard Homecoming on August 14 at Sperryville, VA and it was a star-studded event featuring TV stars Catherine Bach ("Daisy Duke"), John Schneider ("Bo Duke"), James Best ("Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane"), Rick Hurst ("Deputy Cletus Hogg"), Sonny Shroyer ("Deputy Enos Strate") and our host, Ben "Cooter" Jones.
The musical entertainment was headlined by Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys and included Cooter's Garage Band, The Virginia Dreams Band, Stella Parton, T. Graham Brown, Sleepy Labeef, Nathan Stanley, The Lewis Tradition, Paul Fincham and Dark Hollow, and Hollow Bound, among others.
Thousands of fans were treated to live wrestling, at least two dozen "General Lee" replicas, autograph booths manned by the series' stars and tons of Dukes memorabilia, all over two days in the rolling countryside of Rappahannock County, just east of Shenandoah National Park.
7/2/11 - New CD Arrives!
Our new CD arrived in July!
"Grass Tatoo" includes all the band originals you've come to love ("Swift Run Gap", "Humpback Rocks", "Ride The Wind", "G", "Blue Potomac Eagle", "Scratchin' Loose Gravel"), plus some of our most-requested covers ("Highway Forty Blues", "My Window Faces The South", "Blackberry Blossom", "John Hardy", "In The Bleak Midwinter", "Travelin' Kind") and Anthony's stirring arrangement of "Shenandoah"!
Here's the Press Release that band member Jim Gallaher prepared for the big announcement ....
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Jim Gallaher
24 Taylor Street
Staunton, VA 24401
540-290-7020
loosegravel@verizon.net
LOCAL BLUEGRASS BAND BRINGS DIVERSE INFLUENCES TO FIRST CD
JULY 2, 2011 (HARRISONBURG, VA) - Loose Gravel Bluegrass Band has waited a lot longer than most groups to record their first CD. They needed that time to integrate the distinctive sounds of bluegrass, swing, classical and original music that attracted them to each other in the first place.
With their self-produced release "Grass Tattoo", the band has crafted new music and re-imagined familiar songs in a way that listeners new to bluegrass will find accessible and long-time fans will appreciate for its fresh, progressive approach.
Six of the thirteen tracks have been written by members of the band. Banjo player Dale Wenger contributed "Swift Run Gap", fiddler Anthony VanPelt penned "Ride the Wind" and "G", and mandolin player Jim Gallaher authored "Blue Potomac Eagle", "Scratchin' Loose Gravel" and "Humpback Rocks".
The remaining tracks have been taken from the ranks of country, bluegrass, folk, classical and swing music and given the characteristic "drive" that propels Loose Gravel's live shows.
These include "Highway Forty Blues" (Ricky Skaggs' 1982 hit), "My Window Faces The South" (a Bob Wills favorite), "Travelin' Kind" (The Country Gentlemen), "In The Bleak Midwinter" (a classical tune given new life) and traditional tunes "Blackberry Blossom", "John Hardy" and "Shenandoah", which features Anthony VanPelt's signature uptempo arrangement.
"We're not a band that plays traditional bluegrass," explained Gallaher. "We need the challenge of a Django Reinhardt song or a Grisman number to focus our talents. But we love the acoustic quintet sound that is defined by bluegrass - guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle and mandolin."
"I understand now why I studied classical music for all those years," adds VanPelt, who teaches violin in the Rockingham County area. "It was so I could improvise a fiddle break in the style of Stephane Grappelli, then slip into a traditional "Sally Gooden" bowing pattern and finally wind up with "Over the Rainbow". That's what sets us apart."
Guitarist Rick Hensley has been with the group for almost 5 years after a stint with Grassy Ridge, while bassist Dawn Miller (daughter of well-respected area guitarist Greta McCune) recently replaced Pat Velanzon, whose work is featured on the CD.
About the band:
Loose Gravel was formed in 2004 with original members Pat Velanzon (bass), Anthony VanPelt (violin), Jim Gallaher (mandolin) and Dale Wenger (banjo). Rick Hensley (guitar) joined in 2007 and Dawn Miller replaced Pat on bass in 2010. The band has appeared on local and regional television and at venues in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Additional information, including videos, is available on their website, www.loosegravelbluegrass.com.
1/15/11 - Appearance on "Virginia Dreams"
Loose Gravel was honored to "open the show" for the January 15 TV-taping of Virginia Dreams - Center Stage at the Eastern Mennonite High School Auditorium in Harrisonburg, VA.
The show was taped before a packed-house and featured headliner and country music legend Janie Fricke, Lisa Meadows & Tim Spears and the Virginia Dreams Band with JoJo Meadows and Nikki Stroupe, singers Cody Purvis and Emily Henline, and gospel music group The Crestmen.
"We arrived at 4:30 p.m. for our sound-check, then joined the cast members for the fried chicken buffet backstage," recalled mandolinist and lead singer Jim Gallaher. "We were the opening act at 6:30 p.m."
Bassist Dawn Miller got a taste of what it's like being in a band with four guys -- they forgot to tell her that everyone would be wearing black! After the sound check, she and husband Kenny made a quick run back home to Singers Glen for a wardrobe change. Kenny also rummaged through his closet to find some "dark" shoes for fiddler Anthony VanPelt, who had "missed the memo on black shoes" -- Thanks, Kenny!
We got a good laugh when Jim Snavely, WBTX-1470 Radio (Broadway-Timberville) Program Director and host of Shenandoah Bluegrass asked individual band members to record brief promo's for the station. Talk about pressure!
Then it was time to "hit the stage" -- and no time to pay attention to the TV cameras! We performed "Highway Forty Blues", "My Window Faces the South", "Shenandoah" and Anthony's original tune "Ride The Wind".
Most of us caught the remainder of the three-hour show from the balcony. It was fun to watch how a TV show is put together. There were several costume changes for Lisa, JoJo and Nikki, since portions of the finished show would air around Valentine's Day and they wanted to wear red for those numbers (Tim forgot his red suit!).
The Virginia Dreams Band is composed of Robby Meadows, William Hayes, Pat Burr, Jimmy Church, Kevin Hinkle and Ryan Dovel. These guys are pro's! They supplied the music for most of the acts and did a great job.
Thanks to Rose and Nelson Swartz of Harrisonburg Auto Mall ("Come on down and getcha a car!") for putting on such a wonderful show and providing a showcase that combines local talent with nationally-known country artists!
Show times on area TV stations (including cable channels):
Viewer Alert! WHSV-TV3 has archived portions of the show for your viewing pleasure! We opened the show with "Highway Forty Blues". Later, we played "Shenandoah" (at the 12:00 minute mark in the broadcast).
Programs are re-broadcast in successive weeks. Also broadcast on nationally syndicated "Blue Highways TV" Saturdays @ 4 pm & Thursdays @ 8 & 11 pm.
12/20/10 - Dawn Goes Full-Time
It's official! After filling-in for several months, Dawn Miller is now the full-time bassist for Loose Gravel, replacing founding-member Pat Velanzon. Dawn's first gig was a festive one -- our annual Christmas show at Panera Bread in Harrisonburg, VA, where she is an Administrative Assistant in the James Madison University Office of the AVP for Multicultural Awareness and Student Health.
In addition to her prowess on the upright bass, Dawn brings a new and exciting flavor of lead and harmony vocals to the band -- look for us to add more of her songs in the future!
She began singing at the age of ten, learning guitar from her mother (and greatest musical influence) Greta McCune. Dawn played with Dominion Express, Singers Three and Rockingham Jam in the 1990's and Bluegrass Junction 2008-2010. She has performed in a duet with her husband Kenny Miller since 1994.
Dawn began playing the bass in the late 1990's because "It's fun!" and uses an Engelhardt that has had the finish removed. "Less is more -- that's the best musical advice I ever got," says Dawn. She cites Connie Smith, EmmyLou Harris, Tim O'Brien, Charlie Waller and "many, many local musicians over the years" as primary influences and says her favorite bands are Lonesome River Band, IIIrd Tyme Out, The Lynn Morris Band and The Seldom Scene.
You'll often find Dawn and husband Kenny camping during festival season at local events and jamming with other musicians.
7/25/10 - Dawn Miller Subs For Pat
Bass player extraordinaire Dawn Miller played her first gig with "The Boys" on July 25th at Humpback Rocks! Dawn is filling-in while regular bassist Pat Velanzon recovers from
knee-replacement surgery.
We were fortunate to find someone who could handle our repertoire on such short notice. We did give her a break on having to commit all those songs to memory, however -- she gets to use chord charts!
Dawn has an excellent voice and we're working on a few songs that will showcase her talents. Don't forget to say "hello" when you see her at our next performance!
6/28/10 - Happy Campers!
Our fiddle player Anthony Van Pelt hosts a highly-successful fiddle camp every year and
we're honored to be a part of it! Shady Grove Fiddle Camp was expanded to two sessions this year to accommodate 36 enrollees and we had a blast hanging out with the students and joining them for a performance in front of their wonderfully supportive families. What a solid group of fiddlers! Kudo's to the instructors, who
made all that work seem like fun -- Kari Carpenter (seated), Maria Lorcas (standing at left) and Jessie Trainum (right of Maria).
8/30/09 - Diggin' the Pig in Winchester
We really "got our pig on" when we entertained
at Dave Bob's BBQ and Such's "Blue Grass Sunday" in
Winchester! Those folks know how to "render the swine" and we were none too proud to scarf it up.
Anthony got additional support when a bunch of his relatives showed up for the vittles and a meet-and-greet with his "peeps" -- check the photograph at right for family resemblences!
A special "Loose Gravel Shoutout" goes to the staff and management of Dave Bob's - they were fantastic hosts!
1/31/09 - Oh, Danny Boy...and Friends!
When "Super-Sub" Danny Dolinger of Harrisonburg, Va stepped-in for regular Loose
Gravel guitarist Rick Hensley at Franklin, WV's 2nd Annual "Whistle Pig Jamboree", he brought his own cheering
section! Onstage at the Pendleton County High School auditorium after the show are (left to right) Danny, pal Jerry
Pixley, Christina Wulf (Danny's fiancee) and her gal-pal Emily Mitchell.
Jerry drove up from Spotsylvania, Virginia (3 hours) and Emily from Morgantown, WV (3 hours) to support their "buds" and do some "catching up".
(Note Danny's official Loose Gravel baseball cap -- fines are severe for taking the stage without an authorized chapeau!)
12/15/08 - Loose Gravel Host Fan Celebration
Loose Gravel hosted a pre-Christmas "Fan Appreciation Night" on
December 15, 2008 at Shady Grove Community Center near Cross Keys, VA. The "Boys In The Band" flexed their
"culinary chops" with turkey, pork loin and barbecue while the Fans supplied the "covered dishes" for a
memorable feast.
TV-appearance clips and a slide show of early band photos provided some history while everyone visited the buffet. Loose Gravel provided some live music to close the celebration, including the (in)famous "Christmas In Dixie" number that features Anthony sneaking as many Christmas melodies as he can manage into a familiar bluegrass instrumental.
(There are more pictures of FanFest08 at the Pix page. Select "FanFest08 - Cross Keys - 12.15.08" from the drop-down menu)
11/13/08 - Virginia Governor Tim Kaine "Sits In" With Loose Gravel
Attendees at the November 13, 2008 "Governor's Cabinet Community Day" reception
at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center
in Staunton, VA got a special treat when long-time bluegrass fan Virginia Governor Tim Kaine
joined Loose Gravel on harmonica for a little improvised "bluegrass boogie"!
Gov. Kaine has plenty of "cred" when it comes to making music -- he's shared the stage with the Seldom Scene, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby, to name a few.
To mark his induction into the "Loose Gravel Hall of Fame", his bandmates presented him with an "official" Loose Gravel baseball cap. "Now we can say that one of our former bandmates used to play with the Seldom Scene!" joked banjo player Dale Wenger.
(See more pictures of Gov. Kaine onstage with a visit to the Pix page. Select "With Gov. Kaine - Staunton - 11.13.08" from the drop-down menu)
8/16/08 - Faces Made For Radio!
Jan Hill, host of "Jan's Jamboree" on WEMC 91.7 FM in Harrisonburg, VA
lived up to her show's motto - "Bluegrass Music With A Local Touch" - by sharing the mic with Loose Gravel
on Saturday, August 16, 2008.
Loose Gravel played several of their original songs and instrumentals during the broadcast and shared some of the moments that inspired the tunes they've written, including their now-legendary trip on the excursion train near Romney, WV that resulted in "Blue Potomac Eagle".
Fans of bluegrass music and local bands in particular can find "Jan's Jamboree" on the air every Saturday afternoon, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm, at 91.7 FM. Look for Jan in person at bluegrass festivals, shows and jam sessions throughout the Valley -- you never know where she'll turn up!
(See more pictures of our visit to WEMC with a trip to the Pix page. Select "On The Radio - WEMC - 8.16.08" from the drop-down menu)
6/28/08 - Celebrating the Wedding Singer
The historic Wayside
Inn in Middletown, VA was the setting for a "rockin' reception" on Saturday, June 28, 2008 for newlyweds
Sarah and Steve Singer of Front Royal. Loose Gravel provided a bluegrass sound track for the occasion and
presented the smiling couple with autographed Loose Gravel logo baseball caps. (lookin' good there, Steve!)
"You guys didn't just play wedding music," said the elegantly-attired groom. "You played a whole concert!"
Kudo's to the those in attendance for making this one of the most enjoyable experiences we've ever had and a big "Shenandoah Valley Shout-Out" to the folks from New York and Staten Island -- "You Rock, Dudes!"
This was our first trip to the Wayside Inn and it certainly lived up to its reputation as one of Virginia's finest destinations.
6/4/08 - Loose Gravel Guest of Virginia Farming TV Show
Loose Gravel was excited to "return to the airwaves" as musical guest on
Virginia Farming with
host Jeff Ishee on Wednesday, June 4 at the studios of WVPT-TV in Harrisonburg, VA.
Jeff very generously featured six Loose Gravel songs, five of which were original band compositions.
The program is scheduled to air on WVPT-TV on Friday, July 4th at 7:30 pm and will be repeated
at noon on the following Saturday and Sunday.
"Virginia Farming" is re-broadcast over many
other stations throughout the Commonwealth and nationally on RFD-TV.
Check your local listings!
"It's amazing how quickly the 22 minutes went by," said mandolinist Jim Gallaher. "It's very unlike a public appearance, where we all have a much greater sense of time. Even more amazing was [banjo player] Dale's ability to change his capo so quickly! I told him just before the taping that he would have to change keys for every song -- all of the instrumentals were in one key and the songs other keys -- but he managed to stay ahead of me throughout."
5/16/08 - Gravel Guys Entertain Antique Car Enthusiasts
Loose Gravel was proud to provide the musical entertainment for the May 18 Friday Night Social of the Antique Automobile Club of America's 2008 Eastern Division National Spring Meet near Cumberland, MD at the beautiful McCagh Farm.
The event was hosted by the Queen City Region of AACA with meet headquarters at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort in nearby Flintstone, MD. Shuttle buses and trolleys were provided for 600 club members and their guests.
The AACA is an international organization with members in all 50 states and in more than 50 countries of the world. Loose Gravel extends its warmest thanks to AACA Spring Meet Director Don Reid for his gracious hospitality and congratulates the Queen City chapter on a successful event.
4/16/08 - Brain Freeze Tour 2008 Gets Cranked!
Loose Gravel has completed the schedule for the 2008 version of the Brain Freeze Tour! Stops this year include What's The Scoop in Grottoes, Sarah's Ice Cream and Coffee Shoppe in Penn Laird and all three Klines Dairy Bar locations in Harrisonburg and Staunton. Each 6:30 pm stop features a 2-hour concert with the lactose-tolerant bluegrassers and assorted cone-heads.
"Last year's Tour was a blast!" said mandolin picker Jim Gallaher. "I've been waiting all Winter to shake off the cold and do some more taste-testing. The search for the ultimate Chocolate Chip continues!"
Check the Schedule page for dates and details.
2/12/08 - Loose Gravel Fiddler Featured in Magazine
Loose Gravel fiddler Anthony VanPelt graces the cover of the Spring 2008 issue of Shenandoah Living, a quarterly magazine available at many Valley locations from Winchester to Lexington. The article "Classically Bluegrass" focuses on Anthony's considerable success at mixing classical and bluegrass music. The feature was written by Kathryn Parker and includes photographs by Holly Marcus.
(See a closeup of the tattoo mentioned in the article by visiting our Pix page and selecting "Photo Shoot - Humpback Rocks - 4.1.07" from the drop-down menu!)
2/2/08 - Loose Gravel On the Road in Franklin, WV
Loose Gravel was the guest of the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce (www.visitpendleton.com) for their First Annual Whistle Pig Jamboree at the Pendleton County High School auditorium in Franklin on February 2. We were honored to share the stage with the Rough But Natural Old Tyme String Band, the Moats Town Choir and The Country Store Opry. Thanks to all the folks who made the evening such a rousing success!
12/10/07 - Loose Gravel Bassist Recovering From Recent Surgery
Loose Gravel bass player Pat Velanzon is recovering at home from his recent hip replacement surgery and thanks everyone for their kind wishes. The operation went well and Pat expects a complete recovery. He's already been relieved of the pain symptoms that had persisted for many months.
11/29/07 - Loose Gravel Bassist Under the Knife December 7th
Loose Gravel bass player Pat Velanzon and reigning IBMA Bass Player of the Year Missy Raines have something else in common -- a hip replacement! Missy had hers done in early 2005 and Pat will undergo a right hip replacement on Dec. 7, 2007 courtesy of Dr. Thomas E. Brown at the University of Virginia Health System. Pat is still ahead of Missy, though -- he had his other hip replaced 18 years ago! If you'd like to send Pat a card, use the mailing address on our Contact page.
10/11/07 - Loose Gravel Opens for Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain
Loose Gravel took the stage at Harrisonburg's Court Square Theater on Thursday, October 11 as the opening act for Rural Rhythm recording artist Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain, whose self-titled CD has been climbing the Bluegrass charts since its 2006 release.
Okay, most of our band members have t-shirts older than these guys, but it's worth noting that Carrie, her band and her family are genuinely warm and friendly people -- in addition to being flat-out hard-drivin' bluegrassers! They rocked the house! Be sure to catch them if you have the chance.
We'd like to publicly thank sound man Jason Misterka for his efforts at making us sound as good as possible and making the evening low-stress and smooth-running. Anyone who's ever attended a show at Court Square knows that the sound is always top-notch!
10/7/07 - Loose Gravel Subs For Rough & Natural
Loose Gravel was pleased to be able to help out on Sunday, October 7 at Humpback Rocks when the Rough and Natural
String Band was forced to cancel their appearance due to the passing of a family member.
We feel a strong bond with the other members of the musical family who
perform "under the walnut tree" at Humpback and express our thanks to volunteer Ted Hughes, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the representatives
of the National Park Service for their continued hospitality and support.
9/26/07 - Loose Gravel On Television!
Loose Gravel was excited to be the guest of "Virginia Farming" host Jeff Ishee on Wednesday,
September 26 at the studios of WVPT-TV in Harrisonburg, VA. Jeff did us the great honor of featuring Loose Gravel for
the entire show!
Additional thanks are due the very gracious and professional staff at WVPT, who made the
event a memorable experience for all of us. The show will air locally on WVPT-TV on Friday, September 28 at 7:30 pm,
and will be repeated at noon on the following Saturday and Sunday.
"Virginia Farming" is re-broadcast over many
other stations throughout the Commonwealth and nationally on RFD-TV. Check your local listings!
9/13/07 - Brain Freeze Tour 2007 Concludes
Loose Gravel concluded its successful "Brain Freeze Tour 2007" on Sunday afternoon,
September 23 at the Kline's Dairy Bar Wolfe Street location in downtown Harrisonburg, VA with a 2-hour concert
that featured spirited versions of traditional and contemporary bluegrass covers, original tunes and waffle cones
featuring the flavor of the week -- "Cherry and Chocolate Chip".
"Man, that's tasty!" remarked mandolin player Jim Gallaher after consuming mass quantities of the local favorite. "I think this flavor compares to the best that Kline's has to offer, and that's saying a lot!"
The Tour featured a series of concerts at the Kline's locations in Staunton and Harrisonburg during the month of September.