The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #18615   Message #2054885
Posted By: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
17-May-07 - 04:11 PM
Thread Name: Lesser known folk groups
Subject: RE: Lesser known folk groups
I was part of what has to have been one of the absolutely least known groups in the early '60's. We were known as (triply eponymously) the BobTomLee Trio. We never recorded, but did make a lot of county fairs and night clubs in odd places, including the Purple Onion - briefly and late.

The others mentioned above included the Poso Seco Singers. Was Linda Ronstadt part of that group? The Back Porch Majority began life as a "farm team" for the New Christy Minstrels, as someone said. They assumed an identity of their own for a time, albeit second level.

Buck Wheat is deceased, I'm told.

The Journeymen included a pretty fair banjoist named Dick Weissman, along with John Phillips and Scott McKenzie. They were supposed to be the "next Kingston Trio." Weissman is probably better known for the "Dueling Banjo's" number from "Deliverance." I have two original LP's of Art & Paul, but no sheet music. Their backup guitarist was Paul Prestopino, I believe.

Someone mentioned "Sweet's Mill." That was a Fresno County, California venue in the foothills that was home to an annual folk camp and revelry. The late Mark Spoelstra was a regular, among others.

Travis Edmonson (Bud & Travis) is still living in Arizona, though he can no longer perform due to a stroke. He has a website with a lot of good stuff on it. Two of the original Kingston Trio are still living. Bob Shane is retired in Arizona and Nick Reynolds, who I see from time to time, is retired in Coronado, CA.