Wayside Theatre presents the Katahdin Valley Boys Aug. 22
DEXTER — The Katahdin Valley Boys will bring their hard driving bluegrass to the Wayside Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
Their repertoire of traditional and contemporary bluegrass and Gospel music features tight harmonies and smooth solos. Influences include Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Blue Highway and the Lonesome River Band.
Contributed photo
KATAHDIN VALLEY BOYS — The Katahdin Valley Boys, from left Jeff Folger, Kip Yattaw, Ken Brooks and Steve Bixby, will perform at the Wayside Theatre in Dexter on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
The Katahdin Valley Boys is one of central and mid-Coast Maine’s most popular and award-winning bluegrass bands. The Maine Academy of Country Music recognized The Katahdin Valley Boys as “Bluegrass Band” of the year in 2008-09 and 2011.
Each member brings many years of experience and professional showmanship to the band’s hard driving, traditional Bluegrass sound. Their members include Ken Brooks, Kip Yattaw, Jeff Folger and Steve Bixby.
Performing since 1965, Brooks (guitar and vocals) has played with several popular bluegrass bands and in 2012 was inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. He also performs with his wife Jane and pairs up occasionally with Wayside Granger Joe Kennedy and his wife Nellie. Brooks and Kennedy have graced Wayside’s stage in 2014 and 2015.
Yattaw’s (fiddle and vocals) musical career spans back to the early 1960s, playing guitar in country and rock and roll bands.After hearing Mac Wiseman in 1994, Yattaw was inspired to play the fiddle and has had the honor of performing several times with Wiseman. He is from Port Clyde where he practices the art of violin making in his home workshop.
Folger (banjo and vocals) has been performing since 1993 and has been with the Katahdin Valley Boys since 1998 as a founding member. He delivers superb lead and soaring harmony tenor vocals and provides a traditional hard driving banjo style. The traditional sounds of Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe have been a major part of his musical influence.
Bixby (upright bass and vocals) caught the bluegrass bug in 1978 when he attended his first festival and then began playing bass in 1980. A seasoned bass player and recording artist, he has performed at numerous festivals throughout the northeast. HIs musical influences include Jerry McCoury, Ed Ferris, Tom Gray and Mike Bubb
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Desserts and pretty good coffee sold at intermission. For more information, please call Kennedy at 277-3733 or on Facebook Wayside Grange and Theatre. The 99-year-old theatre is at 851 North Dexter Road (Rt. 23).