Professional Bluegrass band seeking Mandolin player with vocals

[fiddlewood]

Mike Lilly (cover of Jan '15 issue of Banjo Newsletter) is seeking a qualified mandolin player/Tenor singer in the MI, IN, OH area to round out his band for an upcoming album and performances.

For those unfamiliar with Mike I suggest reading the interview in BNL.

Those who are interested and qualified can call Mike, or contact me here, or call 616.304.7921.

[Timbofood]

Good luck Mike! I'm too cranky to go on the road and not much of a tenor singer. You and Wendy Miller were probably the biggest influence on my starting to play this style of music in the first place! I wish you and the band the best of luck in the search

[Jordan Ramsey]

Always loved Mike's singing and inventive banjo playing, especially his work with Harley Allen. Scotti Adams (played mandolin on Harley's solo album) lives in Xenia, OH, but I thinks he's got a day gig and I'm not sure if he's a tenor man or not. Don Rigsby would be a great choice, although he's probably too busy and not quite in the area. Dwight McCall would be great if he's available. Anyway, best of luck. Look forward to hearing the new band!

[fiddlewood]

Thanks for the good wishes Tim. I'll pass them on to Mike.

I'm actually the Bass player and am helping Mike in the search. He's not very computer oriented.


I see your not far from me (Grand Rapids).


Have a great day.

[fiddlewood]

Thanks Jordan. We hope to have something out there soon.

[Timbofood]

My band, "Great Lakes Grass" did a show with Mike years ago at Sturgis Young auditorium in Three Rivers, we had a nice visit with his guys, hope all is well with everyone. Yeah, we are not too far apart, keep folks posted as to any shows around the area! Be safe with the forecast lousy weather!
T

[fiddlewood]

HAHA, didn't know you were "that" Tim. We met at Marshall fest last year. I've been friends with Rock for many years, and bought a R & T banjo from him. Cool.

Dave Long

[Timbofood]

Small world!

[Timbofood]

Dave, I just remembered, I wasn't at Marshall last year must have been the year before or maybe two? I was freezing at a cottage on Lake Huron last summer, not sure who the boys got to fill in. Maybe Bill Halsey. He saves my bacon pretty often with the guys.

[fiddlewood]

Would have been earlier then. I'm there most every year.

[Timbofood]

Giving this a bump as no word from you Dave? Had any luck at all?

[fiddlewood]

Thanks Tim, I was just about to bump this myself.

I'm quite surprised at the lack of response. Have had only 2 people respond (1 from here) and neither was a high harmony singer, which is far more important than being astounding on the mando.

[DataNick]

Thanks Tim, I was just about to bump this myself.

I'm quite surprised at the lack of response. Have had only 2 people respond (1 from here) and neither was a high harmony singer, which is far more important than being astounding on the mando.

I feel your pain...LOL! Finding a good 1st tenor who also plays an instrument is tough. There's just not many around. I can bark out a high G on harmonies when necessary but I'm really a baritone. Our banjo player is a good 2nd tenor, but those 1st tenor guys are rare!

Good Luck with your search!

[fiddlewood]

hmm...lost me on the firsts & seconds...only Tenor I know of is 3rd above the lead unless it is low tenor (octave down/5th below).

just different terminology. I'm guessing your 1st tenor would be my High Bari = 5th above the lead.

[DataNick]

I'm speaking in men's chorus arrangement terminology:

1st tenor, 2nd tenor, baritone, bass (TTBB)

An example using your terminology in a men's choral arrangement structure: in a typical C,S, & N vocal arrangement, Stephen Stills would be singing the lead (baritone) while David Crosby would be the 3rd above (2nd tenor), while Graham Nash would be a 5th above (1st tenor)

[Timbofood]

Glad to help, sorry I can't think of someone to make it happen. I will keep my ears and eyes open.
I understand what you're looking for.
Ron Spears comes to mind but, I don't know where he is or what he's doing. The voice and mandolin knowledge would work very well.
Last I knew he was in Nashville but, that was a while ago.

[fiddlewood]

@ Tim, Thanks for any efforts, they are appreciated for sure.

@ DataNick, I've never picked apart CS&N but do love their singing.A few folks in Bluegrass do refer to two above harmony as 2 tenors though and I always wondered where they got it from. In Bluegrass the lead is not the Baritone part normally but that is all for another thread. thanks for the insight on formal choral parts.

[Timbofood]

So Dave, any luck? This is so sad, I would have thought it would not been this tough to find someone.

[fredfrank]

Glad to help, sorry I can't think of someone to make it happen. I will keep my ears and eyes open.
I understand what you're looking for.
Ron Spears comes to mind but, I don't know where he is or what he's doing. The voice and mandolin knowledge would work very well.
Last I knew he was in Nashville but, that was a while ago.

Ron Spears is still in Nashville. He plays with Reno and Harrell...the sons of the well known Don Reno and Bill Harrell. But I don't think they work a whole lot. Give him a call, or look him up on facebook.

[Timbofood]

Thanks Fred, nice to know he has not fallen off the face of the earth! Ron is an incredible singer and smoking hot picker!
He was such a great part of "Special Consensus" I miss that particular group; Jason, Ron, David and, Greg was a goat juice to gasoline band! And all such nice guys.
Greg is the best, always welcome at my home, with the band anytime!

[fiddlewood]

So Dave, any luck? This is so sad, I would have thought it would not been this tough to find someone.

thanks for asking Tim. Still looking.

We've had a few responses but not from singers, which is really the biggest priority...matching up voices with John & Mike.

Big thanks to all who have sent suggestions and/or helped us in our search in any way it is much appreciated!

Dave Long

[oldwave]

I would suggest David Mayfield in Warren Ohio.

thanks for asking Tim. Still looking.

We've had a few responses but not from singers, which is really the biggest priority...matching up voices with John & Mike.

Big thanks to all who have sent suggestions and/or helped us in our search in any way it is much appreciated!

Dave Long

[fiddlewood]

He looks to be mighty busy with his own projects...