All-star trio of old-timers

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-“The collective consciences of all our years of study and marvel at the music really add up when we get to play it together and share our passions,” said Alta musician Thomas Sneed about a special run of shows planned with his former Reeltime Travelers bandmate, Roy Andrade, and his local pickin’ buddy, Ben Winship.

For those lucky enough to see Sneed and Andrade as members of the Reeltime Travelers, it was a special group of young old-timers.

The quintet, which also included bassist Brandon Story, singer-songwriter Martha Scanlan, and fiddler Heidi Andrade, went on to play the Grand Ole Opry and score music with producer T-Bone Burnett for the film Cold Mountain.

They exposed old-time music to jamband audiences on the festival circuit, and helped younger audiences understand the differences between old-time and the blossoming popularity of bluegrass.

The band ended in 2005.

“Thomas and I met about a hundred feet from where I am right now,” Andrade said from his office at East Tennessee State University, where he directs old-time bands and teaches fiddle, guitar, and banjo at the biggest bluegrass and country program in the nation.

“In those days,” he continued, “everyone in [Reeltime] was really at the same point in our journey with old-time music.
“There was an innocence and strength in that. We were speaking this language, and there was wonderment around the music.”
In addition to playing music before, during and after work hours, Andrade was recently contracted by the University of Tennessee to write the first country music textbook—a monumental task.

He’ll rest from the thousand-page comprehensive project when he comes to Teton County for his spring break.

An exhausted road musician, Sneed relocated to Teton Valley about seven years ago. He and Winship began pickin’ tunes shortly thereafter, and have played together in many different ensemble formations over the years.

Winship, who is also a member of Brother Mule, Growling Old Men, Kane’s River, and produces the Fishing Music compilation discs, recently spent a week in Denver recording with songstress Mollie O’ Brien and guitarist Rich Moore.

When a group of players like Winship, Sneed and Andrade get together, the energy is really exciting for the audience. Their wealth of knowledge of obscure old-time songs, lyrical instrumentals, foot-stomping ballads and twists of tongue keep you on the edge of your seat. Mingle that with a woody mix of guitars, banjos, mandolins, tenor guitars, octave mandolins, fiddles and human voices, and you folk connoisseurs are loving it.

“I very much cherish my friendships with Ben and Roy,” Sneed said. “Lots of people have passion for music, but it gets quite individualized the more you do it, so it gets harder to find folks who are really into what you are into.” JHW

Winship, Sneed and Andrade will perform 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday at Alpine Wines in Driggs (free), and 7 p.m., Friday at Wilson Schoolhouse in Wilson ($12).

COURTESY THOMAS SNEED
Ben Winship and Thomas Sneed spread the love.

PERMALINK:
All-star trio of old-timers | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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