2007 Artist Line Up

Southern Rail
Southern Rail's music is high-energy exuberant fun, with riveting harmonies, irreverent humor and sparkling banjo and mandolin solo work. Their songs have graced Bluegrass Unlimited's Top Thirty Singles Chart for a combined total of 32 months, receiving heavy national airplay. Featuring Jim Muller on guitar and lead vocals, Sharon Horovitch on acoustic bass and harmony vocals, Bob Sachs on mandolin, fiddle and harmony vocals, and Rich Stillman on banjo and harmony vocals, Southern Rail's reputation for strong original material, heart-stopping harmonies, and infectious good humor has spread to both coasts, spurred on by a heavy touring schedule and 8 successful recordings.

James King has been regarded as one of the finest singers of hard mountain bluegrass since he burst onto the scene over a decade ago. Known for his trademark soaring vocal power and honest emotion while focusing on the nuances of storytelling - character, irony, humor, suspense - King offers a deep understanding of the hardcore bluegrass tradition. James King and his stories are backed by fine ensemble work by mandolinist Kevin Prater, banjoist Adam Poindexter, John Wade on bass guitar and fiddler Adam Haynes.

Formed early in 2004, Beartracks promotes itself as a group who love to play Roots Country, Bluegrass and Americana music. They have been making their mark with the great sibling vocal harmony of Tom Venne and Julie Venne Hogan, and the soulful resonator guitar work of Junior Barber. They are a very special act to watch perform and the response from fans regarding their stage shows has been extremely positive. Beartracks' music is the kind that makes everyone feel good!

THE ATKINSON FAMILY
Honed in the iron-laden foothills of the Adirondack’s Western reaches, the Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band has a sound reverberating with the traditions of Bill Monroe’s music, while at the same time incorporating new grooves and new tones. In addition to performing a range of bluegrass standards and contemporary tunes from Del McCoury, Gillian Welch, Iris Dement and the Grateful Dead, the band churns straight ahead with its freight train rhythm pulse on a host of original songs. The Atkinson Family Bluegrass Band sound is one of tight three-part family harmonies from guitarists Liza and Shelene Atkinson and banjo linchpin Dick Atkinson; with the driving rhythm interplay of mandolinist Adam Atkinson. The band is joined by well known and respected bass player Jim Treat of Weedsport, NY and dobro player Dave Bevins from Ticonderoga, NY.

The Doerfels, an amazing 12 member family band, have been performing up and down the East coast full time for nearly three years now. When listening to them you would never guess that the average age of the band is 14 years old! The core band consists of the oldest son TJ; Kim, Eddy, Joey, and Ben at 17, 14, 13, and 12 years old. Tom, the father, used to play bass but got demoted to bus driver when the 13 year old just picked it up one day and found out he could play. Mom also comes and sings a couple songs. The kids just love to play. If you like country, comedy, gospel, and bluegrass, interspersed with a touch of blues, you'll certainly enjoy this amazing, young band!

THE CABIN FEVER BAND
Brian Jiguere's melodic mandolin and the lightening fast licks of Harry Ralph's fiddle join forces with Mike Tirella's jackhammer rhythm guitar and Bill Lewis' hard driving bass to produce the unique sound and energy that is Cabin Fever Bluegrass. Both Brian and Dr. Mike provide lead and harmony vocals and with Harry adding the third part, they produce some of the finest vocal blends around. With their wealth of original material and their unique version of time-tested traditionals, Cabin Fever Bluegrass delivers crowd pleasing performances with music that stirs emotions and songs that touch the heart

A North Country favorite comprised of seasoned musicians from the U.S. and Canada . David is noted for not only his fun and friendly stage antics, but as the organizer and provider of various instrument workshops. This band has been playing twenty to twenty-five festivals each summer, and they look forward to seeing all of their festival family during the upcoming season. Visit their “Band” link at www.custompearlinlay.com for upcoming performances.
Mandolin: David Nichols, Guitar: Mike O'Reilly, Banjo: Garry Greenland, Bass: Nadine Nichols, Fiddle: John Richard.

A legend in the northeast, Smokey has endeared himself to bluegrass and country music lovers for over 50 years. He is a walking anthology of country music, living his slogan, “Keep the country in Country Music.” Few solo acts can hold a crowd's attention the way Smokey can. When Smokey sings, he will have you crying one minute and laughing the next. Smokey has appeared with hundreds of performers over the years including, Yodeling Slim Clark, Earnest Tubb, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and our own Don Hudson. We at the Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival are blessed to count Smokey as our neighbor, friend and most revered performer.

Blue Lightning
Blue Lightning is a quartet of 15 to 19-year-olds, all solid players and scarily good at harmonies. On banjo, fiddle and vocals is Nick Piccininni. Bobby Delnero, age 16, plays mandolin and tenor vocals. Julian Winters,15, is the youngest member of Blue Lightning and the heartbeat of the band on upright bass. On a Sigma by Martin is Justin Winters, 19, playing strong rhythm guitar and flat-picking. He also sings bass and lead vocals.

Sweet Cider Music is “bluegrass flavored acoustic with heavy emphasis on vocal harmonies.” With nearly thirty years of performing throughout the northeast, this band still manages to stay on the cutting edge of the bluegrass genre. The band is composed of cousins Walt Yanis on electric bass and Tom Yanis on banjo, along with two brothers, Joe and Bill Kilcullen, both of whom play acoustic guitar.

John Hudson along with his father, Don and friends Dick Milan and Leroy Lane are appearing for the second time this year at the Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival. John has been singing country gospel for many years and has recently returned to bluegrass. Don hudson played bass with many bands over the years, most notably with Smokey Greene before he went solo. Dick Milan is a fine banjo player who studied under Al Bennet. Leroy Lane is well known for building dobros and is also a top notch dobro player who often lends his voice to the band.