Dry Branch Fire Squad
Encyclopedia
The Dry Branch Fire Squad is an old-time bluegrass
band founded by Ron Thomason in 1976. The band has gone through many iterations in its existence. Thomason has been the one constant, serving as the band's MC, lead singer, and mandolin
player. He also plays banjo
and guitar
in performance, and on some recorded tracks, and is often called upon by audiences to demonstrate his hambone
technique which he learned as a child.
The band is known for its exceptional live performances and the self-deprecating humor and intelligence that Thomason brings to the stage along with the music.
Before forming the band, Thomason was a member of Ralph Stanley's
band, the Clinch Mountain Boys.
The Dry Branch Fire Squad is the host band of the annual bluegrass festival formerly known as "Winterhawk" and now called "Grey Fox." The band also hosts the High Mountain Hay Fever festival in Colorado
as a fundraiser for a local medical clinic.
The band is currently (as of December, 2010) composed of Brian Aldridge (guitar, mandolin), Tom Boyd (banjo, resophonic guitar), Dan Russell (bass
), and Ron Thomason (mandolin, banjo, guitar).
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
band founded by Ron Thomason in 1976. The band has gone through many iterations in its existence. Thomason has been the one constant, serving as the band's MC, lead singer, and mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
player. He also plays banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
in performance, and on some recorded tracks, and is often called upon by audiences to demonstrate his hambone
Juba dance
The Juba dance or hambone, originally known as Pattin' Juba , is a style of dance that involves stomping as well as slapping and patting the arms, legs, chest, and cheeks. "Pattin' Juba" would be used to keep time for other dances during a walkaround...
technique which he learned as a child.
The band is known for its exceptional live performances and the self-deprecating humor and intelligence that Thomason brings to the stage along with the music.
Before forming the band, Thomason was a member of Ralph Stanley's
Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley , also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley, is an American bluegrass artist, known for his distinctive singing and banjo playing.-Biography:...
band, the Clinch Mountain Boys.
The Dry Branch Fire Squad is the host band of the annual bluegrass festival formerly known as "Winterhawk" and now called "Grey Fox." The band also hosts the High Mountain Hay Fever festival in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
as a fundraiser for a local medical clinic.
The band is currently (as of December, 2010) composed of Brian Aldridge (guitar, mandolin), Tom Boyd (banjo, resophonic guitar), Dan Russell (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), and Ron Thomason (mandolin, banjo, guitar).
Recordings (incomplete list)
- Born to be Lonesome - 1981
- Antiques and Inventions - 1981
- Good Neighbors and Friends - 1985
- Golgotha - 1986
- Fannin' the Flames - 1982
- Tried and True - 1987
- Fertile Ground - 1989
- Long Journey - 1991
- Just For The Record - 1993
- Live! at Last - 1996
- Memories That Bless and Burn - 1999
- Hand-Hewn - 2001
- Live at the Newburyport Firehouse - 2005
- Thirtieth Anniversary Special - 2007
- Echoes of the Mountains - 2009