Looking for the best Bluegrass bands in Connecticut? (CT) Book your birthday party, wedding reception, music festival. concert series, corporate event, or special event with one of these great bands presented by the Connecticut Bluegrass Association.
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Rock Hearts
Rock Hearts, Formed in 2013, Rock Hearts brings together five seasoned musicians from southern New England who love to sing and pick bluegrass and old country tunes, and seek out tunes from other genres to “Bluegrass-ify.” Named an official 2021 International Bluegrass Music Association Showcase band, the band is enjoying national radio and chart activity. They are a sought after band for major festivals. They are 615 Hideaway Record Label Artists and work closely with label owner Sammy Passamano in Nashville, TN,
Listen to the latest album: Unfinished Bridges below:
On the Trail
“On The Trail is a modern acoustic quartet that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop, from stunning instrumentals to beautiful traditional songs.” The group was founded through their love of bluegrass and the band the Punch Brothers. They have already gained recognition and praise for their exploration and strong execution of the challenging music, as well as for their new original music. Most recently, On the Trail had the honor of winning the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Band Competition after participating in 2021’s Telefunken Battle of the Bands at the Podunk Bluegrass Festival. They also were selected as an Emerging Artist at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2023. Their debut self-titled EP On the Trail is also available for streaming on all platforms.
“Gospel Plow” from the latest record “Where Do we Go From Here”
Angry O’Haras
Our Progressive Bluegrass style will drive deep into your soul as we get the most out of our acoustic instrumentation. Instead of having a lead singer, we use a nonstop orchestration of unconventional vocals while delivering plenty of three and four part harmony singing. The majority of our songs are reinventions of traditional folk songs, favorites you may have grown up with or something new with an added twist.
Restless Mountain Bluegrass Band
Restless Mountain Bluegrass Band is a Connecticut-based bluegrass band which always offers a fun mix of traditional standards and entertaining classics that bring fond memories and a smile. In the tradition of bluegrass, Restless Mountain is an all-acoustic band, serving up heartfelt vocals and spicy instrumentals. Restless Mountain Bluegrass Band has been active in Connecticut for over a decade, featuring veteran musicians who love to play and entertain.Matt Fleury (vocals, banjo), Jerry Devokaitis (vocals, guitar), Gracin Dorsey (vocals, mandolin), Scott Camara (Dobro), Dave Aston (bass
Grass Routes
Grass Routes is a Connecticut five-piece bluegrass band. It is a well established group that has been delighting audiences for many years with a repertoire ranging from traditional bluegrass standards to folk and original and contemporary songs all performed in their own unique bluegrass style.
Skillful instrumental work and strong vocals give Grass Routes their own characteristic sound. Showcasing especially tight harmonies, vocals include duets to four part harmonies. What makes Grass Routes unique is that each member sings lead. With five lead vocalists, Grass Routes presents a different style and material with each vocal arrangement.
ShoreGrass
ShoreGrass is a bluegrass band from the Connecticut shoreline which has has performed locally as well as around the Northeast since 1999.
Their music is a lively mix of traditional bluegrass, old-time, early country, gospel and folk songs as well as original pieces reflecting their roots in contemporary music with a local flavor. The group has several singers who alternate leads on 3-part vocal harmonies, and that unique bluegrass blend of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass and sometimes Dobro. Their music has an unusually rich blend, all delivered with the special sense of humor that marks all ShoreGrass performances.
Moonshine Falls
Moonshine Falls, a band that bridges the gap between Traditional Bluegrass and the New Blue movement was formed in New York City by husband and wife duo Mary Noecker (bass and vocals) and Dave McKeon (mandolin, guitar and vocals). The couple is joined by Cesar Moreno (mandolin and vocals) and Clarence Ferrari (fiddle).
Drawing from the canon of bluegrass standards, as well as writing songs that fit seamlessly with those of yesterday, the members of Moonshine Falls create a sound that is steeped in tradition without drowning in it.
Their debut CD, “Weeds in the Ballast”, has received considerable airplay on bluegrass radio since it’s release and Dave’s original songwriting has been praised by No Depression, Journal of Roots Music and has won him Podunk’s Bluegrass Songwriting Competition
Moonshine Falls is making a name for themselves having performed around the Northeast including stages at The Joe Val Festival (MA) , the Wilmington Winter Bluegrass Festival (DE), the Podunk Bluegarss Festival (CT), the Long Isalnd Bluegrass Festival (NY), Basin Blugrass Festival (VT) and Danby Bluegrass Festival (VT) among others as well as performing in the Netherlands and Germany and holding a residency at the New York Botanical Garden during the Chihuly Nights Series.
Simon Brogie & The XLTs
Simon Brogie and The XLTs is a New England based Bluegrass band with rich harmonies, locomotive drive and a groove so deep you’ll fall in! The XLTs is a group of all ages and backgrounds that all have the same goal: make good music that moves people. They pull influences from all corners of American music but their heart lies with traditional Bluegrass and Country music.
Ruta Beggars
Appealing to traditional and progressive acoustic music fans alike, The Ruta Beggars combine bluegrass and early swing to create a timeless act filled with intricate vocal harmonies, fiery instrumentals, and plenty of fun. They have been praised for their creative yet tasteful arrangements and charming performances. Since 2018 they have brought the joy of their live show to audiences across the US and Canada from festival stages to storied folk listening rooms and as support for legacy acts Lyle Lovett and Ricky Skaggs. The Ruta Beggars are 2019 Thomas Point band competition winners, 2023 IBMA official showcasing artists, Freshgrass Foundation commissioned composers, Freshgrass Award finalists, and Skyline Records artists.
Best-of-friends since their inception, The Ruta Beggars are Micah Nicol (guitar), Trevin Nelson (banjo), Noah Harrington (bass), Sam Stage (fiddle), and Jean-Baptiste Cardineau (mandolin), who met through studying in Berklee College of Music’s American Roots Program.
Bookmatch
Two kindred spirits joined by their love for acoustic music that touches the heart, G Rockwell and Micah Nicol marry virtuosic instrumentals and tender vocals in their project Bookmatch. Named after the practice of aligning two pieces of wood so that they look like mirror images of each other, Bookmatch’s members approach the same genre and instruments from a different background yielding musical alchemy that brings audiences in for a warm hug of an intertwining acoustic guitar soundscape.
Sperry Creek
Sperry Creek brings fresh harmonies and instrumentation that hold true to the bluegrass genre. This five-piece band from Connecticut formed after some local pickers spent the height of the pandemic keeping each other sane through socially distant backyard jam sessions. It didn’t take the group long to realize that good sounds were happening. They soon adopted the name of a nearby creek, and the band was officially formed in the summer of 2020.
For booking please email us at….grbq@aol.com
or PM us through our Facebook page.
Listen to their music on Reverbnation
Sperry Creek is made up of longtime musicians Scott Freemantle (bass); Marilyn Toback-Reveley (guitar); Bill Reveley (fiddle); Corrie Folsom-O’Keefe (mandolin) and Dan O’Keefe (banjo), who all share a passion for bluegrass music. A culmination of musicians from other well known CT bands, Sperry Creek has become a great avenue for them to share their love of bluegrass music with others throughout the New England bluegrass scene.The group can be seen performing at various events throughout Connecticut and are always available for event bookings (see contact info below). Please be sure to follow us for upcoming shows and announcements.
Sweetcake Mountain
Sweetcake Mountain is Swamp Yankee Bluegrass. Drizzled…but not too syrupy. Playing alt- and traditional bluegrass, Sweetcake Mountain is Steve Bacher on banjo, Ed Spallina on bass, Alan Zinser on mandolin, May Kastner on guitar and Craig Rogoff on fiddle.
Sweetcake Mountain is based in Western Connecticut and plays venues and festivals in CT, MA and NY.
Wires and Wood
Hailing from the rolling hills of Litchfield County Connecticut, Wires and Wood offers an assortment of Traditional and Contemporary Bluegrass songs with a Newgrass Sound. Formed in 2013, the Bantam, CT based quintet performs throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts playing a variety of venues ranging from Breweries to Weddings. The Group consists of Brian White (Guitar), Will Doemland (Mandolin), Matt Lauretano (Banjo) and Ben Boylan (Upright bass), Nick Zacchio (Dobro)
Hosmer Mountain Boys
The Hosmer Mountain Boys are a Bluegrass band born out of Windham County. The two boys in front have always had an affinity for all things old and nostalgic and that includes music.
You won’t find many musicians in these parts who are so devoted to bring alive this particular bluegrass music style, choosing material from a time gone by.
Simon Brogie, a well loved Connecticut banjo player, was born near the bottom of the Hosmer Mountain in Willimantic not long ago. He and his buddy Keegan Day, guitar/ vocals, have a strong sense of how bluegrass music was played before the 1960s and it comes across as genuine and true to style of the likes of Flatt & Scruggs.
You won’t be disappointed!
On fiddle is Mama Day (or Cathy Day). She brings a lifetime of skill to the band and keeps everyone in line which as Keegan’s mom, she is free to do.
On acoustic bass is Mr. Tom Bowman a wonderful player and baritone singer who has been a staple in the New England Bluegrass Music scene for decades.
Silver Fox String Band
Playing your favorite country, bluegrass and classic rock covers and originals. Based in Manchester, CT.
Dave Fiereck | Steve Joyner
Bill Morris | Tim Morris
Dan Pennington | Marcus Santodonato
String Theory
Inspired by artists ranging from the Stanley Brothers to the Doobie Brothers, Connecticut-based String Theory combines diverse influences spanning multiple genres rooted in the acoustic music tradition. Drawing on a broad mix of familiar favorites and hidden gems, they cover bluegrass standards, rock classics, Americana, fiddle tunes and more.
Connecticut Bluegrass Bands
These bluegrass bands will also travel to East Berlin, Cromwell, Berlin, Kensington, Rocky Hill, Rockfall, Middletown, Portland, Middlefield, Newington, New Britain, Wethersfield, Cobalt, South Glastonbury, Meriden, Middle Haddam, Southington, Plainville, Durham, West Hartford, East Hampton, Glastonbury, Milldale, East Glastonbury, Plantsville, Higganum, Farmington, Hartford, Wallingford, East Hartford, as well as New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and more.
How Much Does it cost to hire a bluegrass band?
The average cost to hire a Bluegrass Band in Connecticut is around $1,400 but can vary depending on travel times, sound system rental, etc.
Connecticut Bluegrass Association 